Chilaquiles Burgers Recipes

CHILAQUILES BURGERS

Steps:

• For the tomatillo salsa: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss the tomatillos, garlic, jalapenos and onion with the oil in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet in an even layer and roast, turning a few times, until soft and lightly golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Put the roasted vegetables in a blender, add the lime juice and process until smooth. Add the cilantro and pulse a few times until just incorporated.
• For the burgers: Shape the beef into four 1-inch-thick burgers. Use your thumb to press a good divot in the center of each. Season the burgers generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Add 2 teaspoons of the oil to a large cast-iron skillet and heat until smoking. Cook the burgers until golden brown on both sides and cooked to medium doneness, about 4 minutes per side. Just before the second side is done, top each burger with 2 slices of Monterey jack, add a splash of water to the skillet, cover immediately and cook 20 seconds to completely melt the cheese. Set aside.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to sizzle. Crack the eggs into 4 small bowls or ramekins. Slip the eggs into the skillet, season with salt and pepper and cook until the whites are firm and completely cooked but the yolks are still soft and just set up, about 2 minutes.
• Put the burgers on the bottom buns. Top with a few spoonsful of the tomatillo salsa, an egg, a bit more salsa, some crumbled chips, some Cotija, a few jalapeno slices and the bun tops.

CHILAQUILES WITH ROASTED TOMATILLOS

Steps:

• In a preheated 400 degree oven, roast the tomatillos and the jalapenos together until the skins on the tomatillos blister. Place the tomatillos and the jalapenos in a food processor and blend. In a saute pan, heat the olive oil and add the onions, cook on low heat, approximately 10 to 12 minutes, until caramelized. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the onions and garlic to the tomatillos mixture and the epazote, cilantro and chicken broth. Blend to combine.
• In a separate saucepan, heat the vegetable oil to 325 degrees. Use a high temperate thermometer for accurate temperature. Cut the tortillas in quarters and fry until crispy. Drain the tortillas and set aside. Combine the tomatillos mixture, tortillas and eggs in a large saute pan and simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked.
• To serve, spoon the chilaquiles onto a plate and top them with the cheeses. Melt in a hot oven and serve with your favorite hot sauce. Top the chilaquiles with sour cream and a little chopped cilantro.

CHILAQUILES WITH ROASTED TOMATILLO SALSA

Steps:

• Special equipment: 4 individual casserole dishes
• To make the salsa:
• Preheat the broiler or oven to 550 degrees F.
• Remove husks from the tomatillos and rinse under warm water to remove the stickiness. Put the chiles, garlic, onion and tomatillos on a baking sheet. Season with a little olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste. Put on a rack about 1 or 2 inches from the heat, and cook, turning the vegetables once, until softened and slightly charred, about 5 to 7 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel the garlic and pull off the tops of the chiles. Add all the broiled ingredients to a blender along with the fresh cilantro and puree. Pour in 1/4 cup of chicken broth and blend to combine. Add more broth, if needed, for desired consistency.
• To make the chilaquiles:
• Pour about 1/3 cup vegetable oil into a large saute pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the tortillas, working in 2 or 3 batches, and cook until lightly browned and nearly crisp. Drain the tortillas on paper towels and discard the remaining oil. Wipe the pan with a paper towel.
• In the same pan, add the tomatillo salsa and bring to simmer over low heat. Add the tortillas and cook until soft but not mushy, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Divide the mixture among 4 individual casserole dishes. Top with the cheese crumbles and onion rings. Drizzle with Mexican crema, sprinkle with some chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately.
• *Cook's Note: Salsa Verde means "green sauce" and is typically made with tomatillos, green chiles and cilantro. Make your own fresh, or you can also find it canned at most supermarkets.
• Tomatillos are a small green fruit encased in a tissue paper-like husk. They should be used when they are still green, before they are ripe and the husk has turned brown. Before using, remove the husk, rinse and dry the fruit. (They do not need to be seeded.) They are found in most supermarkets
• **Cook's Note: Chilaquiles is a Mexican brunch dish invented to use leftovers. It is made with day old tortillas (cut or torn into chips) and salsa verde. They are cooked together until the tortillas are slightly softened. Chilaquiles are eaten alone or with beans, eggs or shredded chicken.
• ***Cook's Note: Queso fresco is a white, mild, fresh Mexican cheese with the texture of fresh farmer's cheese in the US. Queso fresco can be found in many supermarkets, Latin specialty markets or online. It can be substituted with a mild feta cheese.