El Rancho Recipes

EL RANCHO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º.
• Brease a large cookie sheet.
• Pound chicken breasts between 2 sheets of waxed paper to about 1/4 inch thick.
• Dip chicken into salad dressing to coat.
• Then dip into crushed chips, making sure chicken is well-coated.
• Place on cookie sheet.
• Bake 30 minutes.

HUEVOS RANCHEROS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, jalapeño, 2 teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon of the garlic, and mix well. Transfer 1½ cups of the fresh salsa to a bowl and set aside.
• Cook the remaining salsa over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes soften and the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Transfer the ranchero sauce to a bowl and cover to keep warm (you should have about 2 cups).
• In the same saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium. Add the remaining ¼ teaspoon garlic and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the beans (and their liquid), cumin, smoked paprika and ½ cup of the reserved fresh salsa, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently and mashing with the back of a spoon or potato masher, until the mixture is smooth and thick, about 10 minutes. Season with salt to taste and remove from heat.
• In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium. Crack in 4 of the eggs and cook undisturbed until whites are set but yolks are still runny, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large plate and repeat with the remaining oil and eggs.
• Meanwhile, stir the cilantro into the remaining 1 cup reserved salsa. Divide the tortillas across 4 plates (2 per plate). Spread refried black beans on the tortillas and top each with an egg. Cover the eggs with ranchero sauce. Divide avocado on the plates and garnish with some of the fresh salsa, queso fresco and cilantro.

BUSY DAY EL RANCHO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine soups, undrained tomatoes and next 3 ingredients, set aside.
• Sprinkle 1/3 of the tortilla strips over bottom of ungreased 3qt baking dish.
• Layer 1/2 of the chicken, spoon 1/2 of the soup mixture on top.
• Sprinkle 1/2 the cheese and another 1/3 of the tortilla strips over soup.
• Layer with remaining chicken, soup and tortillas.
• Bake covered at 350 for 45 minutes until bubbly and center is hot.
• Uncover, sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 3-4 minutes longer until cheese is melted.
• Top with sliced tomatoes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

AUTHENTIC HUEVOS RANCHEROS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tortillas one at a time until firm, but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain grease.
• Meanwhile, combine the refried beans and butter in a microwave-safe dish. Cover, and cook in the microwave until heated through. When tortillas are done, fry eggs over easy in the skillet. Add more oil if the tortillas have absorbed it all.
• Place tortillas onto plates, and spread a layer of beans on them. Top with cheese, a fried egg, crumbled bacon and if desired, salsa.