Manly Mexican Bites

Ingredients

• 24 ounces chorizo or other hot sausage, removed from casings and crumbled
• 2 cups finely chopped yellow onions
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon Essence, recipe follows
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 cups grated Monterey Jack
• 2 cups grated cheddar
• 4 large fresh jalapenos, stems and ends removed, cut into 20 slices about 1/4-inch thick each
• 12 corn tortillas
• Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
• Spicy Sour Cream Dip, recipe follows

Directions

In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium-high heat, stirring, until browned and the fat is rendered, about 4 minutes. Add the onions, garlic, Essence, and chili powder, and cook, stirring, until the onions are soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.

In a bowl, combine the cheeses.

Place 4 tortillas on a work surface. Top each tortilla with about 1/4 cup of the sausage mixture.

Top each with some cheese and a few jalapeno slices and top with another tortilla.

Add another layer of sausage, cheese, and jalapeno finishing with 1 more tortilla. Each stack should be 3 tortillas and 2 layers of filling.

Press firmly down on the top of each stack.

Lightly oil the grill or griddle and cook the stacks for about 3 minutes per side, or until the tortillas are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Cut each into 4 pieces.

Place on a serving platter and garnish with the cilantro. Serve hot with Spicy Sour Cream Dip, if desired.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

Spicy Sour Cream Dip:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 chipotle chile in adobo, chopped
• 1 teaspoon abobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients. Adjust the seasoning, to taste. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups