I always want to eat Mexican and I particularly love it for breakfast; Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles being two all-time favorites. This morning I was in the mood, but I really didn't feel like frying tortillas, so I cheated.
Ideally you have some oven-proof dishes that the tortillas fit into perfectly. I don't, so I use a large ring to cut out circles of appropriate size. If this is necessary you can use the trimmings by simply cutting them into small pieces and lining them around the edges of the dish.
Cheater Chilaquiles
for two
6 corn tortillas
2 eggs
Refried beans
Fresh or pickled sliced jalapenos (if fresh, you need about 1/3 of a jalapeno, chopped finely)
Salsa or chili paste, red or green
Grated cheese (Monterey Jack)
Finely chopped onion, cilantro and sliced radishes, for garnish
Gather up and prep your ingredients, as this is really all about assembly. Set your oven to broil.
Spread each of the tortillas with a layer of refried beans and then a layer of salsa or chili paste. Use a spoon to spread a thin layer of salsa or chili paste in the bottom of each of your dishes. Lay one tortilla in each dish. If you've cut your tortillas to fit the dish, use the left-over bits around the edges. Sprinkle with the chopped jalapeno or slices of pickled jalapeno (use your judgement here), and a little grated cheese. Repeat twice more.
Now pop one of the dishes into the microwave for one minute. When it's done put the dish on a baking sheet and pop the other dish in for a minute, adding it to the baking sheet when it's done. Use the back of a large spoon to create a depression in the middle of the tortillas and cheese in each dish and then break an egg into each depression. Carefully slide the baking sheet under the broiler and cook until the whites look set.
(edit) We got a comment asking about the microwave moment, which I really should have explained. Because this is all about cheating and fast assembly, there is no frying or baking of the ingredients involved at all, as one usually finds with this dish. So the microwave comes in to make sure the tortillas are nice and soft and also heated through-- that way you only need to watch the eggs when you put the dishes into the broiler.
Garnish with the onion, cilantro and radishes and dig in!
This sounds really great and I am wondering if I couldn't make this into a casserole type meal- I might give it a try!
Posted by: Deborah | March 09, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Is that a runny yolk I see? :)
I'll keep this in mind for when we have leftover refried beans in the fridge.
Posted by: Adele | March 09, 2008 at 04:27 PM
what's the microwave moment for?
Posted by: nbm | March 09, 2008 at 08:37 PM
That looks like a very hearty breakfast for two! I love the addition of radishes for crunch.
Posted by: Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) | March 10, 2008 at 06:42 AM
that's what I need right now! Wow, wow, wow!
Posted by: Aran | March 10, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Deborah, you most certainly can... just follow my link to chilaqiles for a more complicated (but really delicious!) casserole-style dish!
Adele, you're darn tootin' it is! :-)
nbm, it quickly heats and softens the tortillas, and then you know you don't need to worry about getting them hot through when you're broiling the eggs on top.
That looks like a very hearty breakfast for two! I love the addition of radishes for crunch.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry), so much healthier than the usual practice of frying the tortillas first! Radishes on Mexican food rock! :-)
Aran, well there isn't much to it. It's serious cheater food!
Posted by: Ann | March 10, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Dear Ann,
how nice to meet you so that I can come and visit your absolutely wonderful yummy blog!!!:)
This breakfast looks delicious! I should try this, but I have to find (or make?) the tortillas first; Thanks so much for sharing this, now I'm hungry:)
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea | March 10, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I never think of eating Mexican food for breakfast, but I'm going to have to change that!!
Posted by: Deborah | March 10, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Perfect for the cheater / quick fix queen (me!). And I am so so glad that you've noted the excellence of Mexican food for breakfast. It's like heaven to me.
Posted by: Cakespy | March 10, 2008 at 04:11 PM
Cheating or not I really like this version. Looks easy and perfect for a morning breakfast!
Posted by: Meeta | March 10, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Refried beans and eggs - sounds delicious!
Posted by: Cakelaw | March 11, 2008 at 05:13 AM
oh yum! that looks much better than my oatmeal. :-)
Posted by: katy | March 11, 2008 at 10:21 AM