Chilaquiles are an interesting Mexican comfort food first introduced to me from Rick Bayless’ wonderful Mexican cookbooks.  Later, I have tried these in homes of Hispanic friends and in restaurants.  I have eaten them for breakfast, lunch and dinner and they are wonderful.  They are one of those last minute, easy recipes that taste great, are filling and best of all CHEAP!  There are two different styles, red and green.  Red chilaquiles are usually made with what an American would call an enchilada sauce made from dried chiles pasillas or chiles negros.  But  we often turn to the green chilaquiles at our house because we roast and freeze lots of tomatillos in the fall from my mother’s garden.

Chilaquiles Verde

Serves 6

Chilaquile sauce

Ingredients

12 large tomatillos

1 jalepeno or to taste

2 – 3 cloves garlic

½ bunch cilantro

1 small onion, chopped

2 Tblsp. Olive oil or lard

Salt

To serve

12 corn tortillas

Up to 12 eggs

Sour cream

Queso Fresco

Hot sauce of your choice

Begin by washing the tomatillos and stripping off their papery husks.  Place on a broiler pan with the jalepeno, stem removed, and broil under high heat until they begin to turn brown, blister and burst on the pan.  Remove to a blender with the garlic, cilantro, and enough water to allow it to blend smoothly.

When the tomatillos are smooth, heat the olive oil in a large skillet.  Add the onions and sauté until the onions are soft.  Turn the heat up to medium high, and just before the oil begins to smoke, grab the lid of the pan, dump in the tomatillo sauce and quickly cover.  Then allow this sauce to fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add 4 cups water and salt to taste.  Turn the heat to low and allow to simmer while you fry tortillas and eggs.  The sauce can be made and frozen or refrigerated, then reheated while you make the rest of this dish.

To serve:

Cut approximately 12 corn tortillas in quarters and fry in vegetable oil to make crispy tortilla chips.  Store bought tostadas can be substituted in a pinch, but will begin soggy much more quickly, affecting the texture of the finished dish.

Fry an egg or two for each dish.  If you have the free range, organic kind, the beautiful orange yolk is going to look wonderful on your green sauce!

When the tortillas are fried, put them in the large skillet with the sauce and stir to coat.  Serve onto a plate.  Top with the fried egg, some sour cream, and a little queso fresco and hot salsa if you enjoy it.

ENJOY!