Chilaquiles Recipes

CHILAQUILES ROJOS

Steps:

• To make the sauce: Measure the flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt and cinnamon into a small bowl. Place the bowl near the stove with the tomato paste and broth.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the oil until it's it's hot enough that a light sprinkle of the flour/spice mixture sizzles on contact. This might take a couple of minutes. Keep an eye on it.
• Once it's ready, pour in the flour and spice mixture. While whisking constantly, cook until fragrant and slightly deepened in color, about 1 minute. Whisk the tomato paste into the mixture, then slowly pour in the broth while whisking constantly to remove any lumps.
• Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, whisking often, for about 5 to 7 minutes, until the sauce has thickened a bit and your spoon encounters some resistance as you stir it.
• Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Whisk in the cilantro and vinegar and season to taste with additional salt, if necessary (I usually add another pinch or two).
• To make the chilaquiles: Add the tortilla chips to the skillet. Using a flexible spatula, gently toss until all of the chips are coated in sauce. It might seem like they never will be, but keep stirring!
• Once coated, remove the skillet from the heat. Test a chip to see if it has softened to your liking (this is really a matter of personal preference-I like my chips lightly tender). If the chips are not sufficiently softened, cover the skillet for 1 to 4 minutes, until you're happy with their texture.
• Sprinkle the chilaquiles generously with crumbled cheese, radish and cilantro leaves. Scoop servings onto individual plates, add a few slices of avocado, a fried egg if desired, and a wedge of lime. The chips will continue softening with time, so chilaquiles are best served promptly (do not re-cover the pan to preserve heat; the chips will get far too soggy).

CHILAQUILES (VERDES OR ROJOS)

Steps:

• Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions; preheat to 425 degrees F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with foil, parchment paper or nonslip mat.
• Spread tortillas evenly over the two baking sheets. Drizzle each sheet with 2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt; toss until evenly coated, then spread back into an even layer.
• Bake until tortillas are golden brown and crisp, 15-20 minutes, switching sheet positions after 7 minutes of baking. If one sheet is browned before the other, remove it from the oven. Don't turn off oven.
• While chips are baking, prepare either salsa verde or enchilada sauce according to directions (click on the name in the ingredients to go to the recipe).
• Crack 2 eggs into 2 separate small bowls or ramekins. Heat 2 small nonstick skillets over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to each pan and heat until its hot and shimmering.
• Reduce heat to medium then carefully pour one egg into each skillet. Let the eggs cook, gently tilting the pan occasionally to redistribute the oil. Cook until the edges are crisp, the whites are solid and yolks still soft, about 2-3 minutes. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining 2 eggs. Do NOT cover with foil or the eggs will steam and cook the yolk.
• While eggs finish cooking, transfer sauce and beans to a large oven proof skillet (you can use the same cast iron skillet you cooked the enchilada sauce in). Heat over medium-high heat until the sauce is simmering.
• Once the sauce is very hot, reduce heat to low and stir in toasted tortilla chips until evenly coated. Spread tortillas into a somewhat even layer and evenly top with cheeses. (f you're not adding Monterrey, then hold the queso fresco and you don't need to bake - simply stir tortillas in the skillet over low heat until they have softened to your likening, 2-5 minutes, then top with queso fresco.**
• Bake at 425 degrees F for 5 minutes or until Monterrey cheese is melted (queso fresco will not melt). Remove Chilaquiles from oven and proceed with toppings or for softer Chilaquiles, cover with foil and let steam for a couple minutes.
• Top skillet with eggs and desired toppings OR scoop servings onto plates and allow individuals to top their own. Serve Chilaquiles immediately as the chips will continue to soften the longer they sit.

A SIMPLE MEXICAN DISH: HOW TO MAKE CHILAQUILES WITH TORTILLA CHIPS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Lightly coat a large frying pan with vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high heat until oil shimmers.
• Spread tortilla chips in pan.
• Quickly pour salsa over chips and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer the chips in sauce, undisturbed, until chips absorb some of the liquid and soften, for approximately 10 minutes.
• Divide chilaquiles between two plates; sprinkle half of the cheese on each and drizzle with half of the crema.

CHILAQUILES

Steps:

• Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium heat in a cast-iron skillet until it registers 350 degrees F on a candy/frying thermometer. (If you don't have a thermometer, carefully dip the corner of a tortilla wedge into the oil. If it sizzles, you are ready to fry.)
• Carefully drop the tortilla quarters into the hot oil and fry, turning them halfway through with tongs or a spider, until crisp but not yet browned, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove the tortilla quarters to a paper towel-lined plate to drain; set aside.
• Heat the enchilada sauce in a small pan over medium-high heat until hot. While it is heating, fry the eggs. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet and fry until the edges are nice and crispy, a minute or two. Season with salt and pepper.
• While the eggs are frying, assembled your chilaquiles. In a shallow 1-quart dish, arrange half of the fried tortillas in a layer. Sprinkle them with half of the cheese. Pour enough of the hot enchilada sauce over the tortillas and cheese to cover most of the chips. Add the remaining chips to the dish in an even layer. Top with the remaining cheese and more sauce. The amount you add here is up to you. You may end up with some leftover enchilada sauce depending on your preference.
• Top with the fried eggs and salsa of your choice. Enjoy while it's nice and hot.