Secret ingredients key to terrific enchiladas

We’re on a search for what we’ll affectionately call “Secret Ingredients” – those blasts of a little something extra that make a dish special -- but that are ultra easy at the same time.

Green Enchiladas with Chicken contains two secret ingredients: “Green salsa” and queso dip.

Green salsa, also called salsa verde, is a twist on typical tomato salsa featuring the unique flavor of tomatillo. Tomatillos are Mexican green tomatoes, and they contain hints of lemon, apple and herbs. You’ll likely find jars of green salsa either alongside other Mexican products or on the salsa aisle.

Refrigerated plastic containers of queso dip can be trickier to find. In our supermarkets, it’s located in the refrigerated section near the deil meats and hot dogs.

It's hard to say which stores in your area might have the dip, but Wal-Mart does carry one brand - Gordo's.

Once you've hit the cheese at Wal-Mart online, then you can check using their search tool for locations where it is sold by zip code. (It is not sold online because it is refrigerated.)

If there's not a nearby Wal-Mart that stocks the dip, ask the manager of your nearest Wal-Mart to order it and begin to stock it. (You know Wal-Mart "central" can get it if it is on their website.) It shouldn't be a problem for them to order it.

The queso dip brand Alicia finds most frequently in Raleigh is Ole. They don’t seem to have a locator tool on the site, but contact them with your zip code and find out where they sell queso dip nearest you.

Geri Slaughter, who read about the enchiladas in the Dallas Morning News, wrote to give some ideas if you can't find the dip:

"I made your Green Enchiladas recipe and when I was unable to find the queso sauce I made a basic white sauce and added 1 cup grated Fresco, Mexican Crumbling Cheese. The cheese didn't melt into a smooth sauce, but mixed with the chicken and onions it wasn't noticed.

"The recipe was delicious and will definitely be added to my "keeper file."

Thanks Geri! Let us know if you try this recipe (with our without queso dip) and tell us what you think.