Chilaquiles is a traditional Mexican breakfast dish that has been enjoyed by families for generations. This hearty meal, often described as Mexican comfort food, consists of lightly fried corn tortillas cut into quarters and topped with green or red salsa. The mixture is simmered until the tortilla starts softening. Pulled chicken or scrambled eggs are sometimes added to the mix, but it’s not uncommon to find variations of the recipe in different regions of Mexico.
Making Chilaquiles at home is a simple process that can be broken down into easy steps. First off, gather your ingredients: about 12 corn tortillas, one cup of either red or green salsa (depending on your preference), half a cup of crumbled queso fresco (or feta cheese if you can’t get hold of queso fresco), sour cream, and fresh coriander leaves for garnish.
Start by cutting the tortillas into quarters. Heat some oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and fry the tortilla pieces until they turn slightly crisp and golden brown. Once done, remove them from the pan using tongs or slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Next comes preparing the sauce. In this step-by-step guide we’ll use ready-made salsa which simplifies things considerably; however you could also make your own if you’re feeling adventurous! Pour your chosen salsa into another pan and heat it up gently on low heat until it starts bubbling.
Now add back in those crispy tortilla pieces to the warmed-up salsa making sure all pieces are coated evenly with sauce – this is where chilaquiles gets its characteristic moist yet crunchy texture from! Let everything simmer together for few minutes so flavors meld together beautifully.
The final steps involve adding protein – traditionally shredded chicken or scrambled eggs – followed by sprinkling over crumbled cheese right before serving while dish is still hot so cheese melts slightly upon contact with warm tortillas and sauce.
Garnish your chilaquiles with dollops of sour cream, a sprinkling of fresh coriander leaves, and if you like, some thinly sliced red onion for an extra kick. The result is a richly flavored dish that’s wonderfully satisfying and can be enjoyed any time of day, not just for breakfast.
Chilaquiles may not be as well-known internationally compared to other Mexican dishes like tacos or enchiladas but its simplicity combined with depth of flavor make it a standout in the realm of Mexican cuisine. Next time you’re looking for something different to serve up at breakfast time or even lunch or dinner, consider the humble yet delicious chilaquiles – it’s sure to become a new favorite!