Spicy Huevos Rancheros Recipes

MEXICAN BREAKFAST

Steps:

• Peel and finely slice the onions and garlic. Deseed and finely slice the peppers and chillies.
• Get a large frying pan (make sure you've got a lid to go with it) on a high heat and add several good lugs of olive oil.
• Add the onion, garlic, peppers, fresh and dried chillies, bay leaves and a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper, and cook for 15 minutes, or until to softened and caramelised, stirring regularly.
• Pour in the tomatoes, using a spoon or potato masher to break them up. Bring to the boil, then turn down to a medium heat and cook for a further 5 minutes to reduce the sauce.
• When you've got a nice thick tomato stew consistency, have a taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• Slice the fresh tomatoes and lay them over the top of the mixture.
• Use a spoon to make small wells in the tomato stew, then crack in the eggs so they poach in the thick, delicious juices - try to crack them in as quickly as you can so they all get to cook for roughly the same amount of time.
• Season from a height, put the lid on and let the eggs cook for around 3 to 4 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
• Warm the tortillas while this is happening. You can pop them into the oven at 180°C/350°F/gas 4 for a few minutes, microwave them for a few seconds or even lay them over the lid of the pan so they heat up as the eggs cook.
• Take the lid off and check your eggs by giving them a poke with your finger. When they're done to your liking, turn the heat off and take the pan to the table with the warmed tortillas, the Cheddar and a grater so everyone can get involved and make their own. Personally, I like to grate a bit of cheese right on to a warm tortilla, spoon an egg and some of the wonderful tomato stew on top, wrap it up, and eat it right away. What a beautiful way to wake up!

SPICY HUEVOS RANCHEROS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Place a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add dried chiles to dry skillet and toast on all sides, pressing down on them with a spatula, about 1 minute per side. Remove from heat and place in a large bowl; pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over chiles, and place a small heatproof plate on top to keep them submerged. Let soak for 20 minutes.
• Add a teaspoon of oil to the skillet and swirl to just coat the bottom. Add onion, garlic, and jalapeno. Cook until charred on all sides, about 8 minutes, removing garlic if skins begin to burn. Remove skins from garlic and place in the jar of a blender. Cut jalapeno in half lengthwise, removing ribs and seeds; add to blender along with onion, chipotle peppers, tomatoes, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, honey, chiles, and their soaking liquid. Blend until smooth. In the same skillet over high heat, heat remaining 5 teaspoons canola oil until almost smoking. Add sauce to the pan, being careful as it will splatter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 2 minutes. Stir in lime juice, and remove the skillet from the heat. Crack eggs into the skillet and transfer to oven. Cook until egg whites are cooked through and yolks are still runny, about 5 minutes.
• Place 2 tortillas each on 4 individual plates. Top each with 2 eggs and sauce. Garnish as desired with cheese, cilantro, and sour cream.

THE BEST HUEVOS RANCHEROS RECIPE

Steps:

• Warm the ranchero sauce on the stovetop. Pour the beans in a small sauce pot. Warm over medium heat until simmering, then turn off the heat.
• Place the chorizo in a large nonstick skillet and set over medium-high heat. Break the chorizo apart with a wooden spoon, and brown for 5-10 minutes, until the chorizo starts to turn crispy. Pour the chorizo onto a plate.
• Wipe the skillet out with a paper towel, then add 2 tablespoons oil and set back over medium-high heat. One at a time, add the tortillas. Let them puff up for 3-5 seconds, flip and repeat. Then remove the tortillas, and set on paper towels to drain. Repeat until all the tortillas are puffy and golden.
• Using the same skillet, cook the eggs to order. Traditional Huevos Rancheros are made with sunny side up eggs, but I personally like scrambled eggs in this dish.
• To Serve: Place two tortillas each, on five plates. Top with warm black beans, eggs cooked to order, chorizo, ample ranchero sauce, sliced avocado, and queso fresco.