Chicken Flautas with Avocado Cream

Flautas:

1) Fill a large pot with enough oil to reach 5 cm up the side of the pan. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reads 190C.

2) In a pan over medium heat melt butter and saute onions and jalapeno chillies until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, cumin and cayenne pepper, and cook until fragrant, another 2 minutes. Add chicken and salsa; stir to combine. Remove from heat and stir in coriander, cheese and lime juice. Let cool slightly.

3) Preheat oven to 90C.

4) Working with four tortillas at a time, spread a heaping spoonful along the middle of each tortilla. Roll tortilla tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick. Using tongs, hold each flauta in hot oil until firm, then release to continue cooking. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate and immediately season with salt. Keep flautas warm in the oven on a sheet tray while assembling and cooking the remaining tortillas.

Avocado cream:

In a serving bowl, mash avocado, sour cream and lime juice until smooth. Season with salt, to taste.

To serve, arrange flautas on a platter of shredded lettuce and serve with avocado cream on the side.