I can’t believe summer is almost over. Just one more day and it will be officially fall, my favorite season of the year. September still has more than a week left so that means that there is still time to join this month’s homemade challenge with your favorite Homemade salsa.
Mexico is a country where food revolves around salsas and not the other way around. Different salsas can take the same ingredient in many different directions and that is something that makes Mexican cuisine a vibrant one. In Spanish sauce and salsa share the same word. When we talk about salsas in Mexico we are referring to the add ons that give food that extra kick or the ones that are used as the base for a dish. These base salsas come in a huge array of flavors, from the basic chile/tomato combination to the complex moles that use up to one hundred ingredients in their preparation. From breakfast to dinner and snacks in between meals, salsas are the blood of Mexican food.
The main ingredient of any salsa is the pepper. There are hundreds of varieties that range from sweet to criminally hot and they all can be used in salsas. One of the most common peppers in Mexico is guajillo pepper. They are thick, leathery dark reddish brown chiles that contain mild to moderate amounts of heat. These are the peppers I used to prepare the salsa for this chilaquiles, a breakfast dish that is perfect to use leftover tortillas and that are believed to help with hangovers, the hotter the more effective according to popular belief.
Chilaquiles in guajillo sauce
The ingredients:
- 2-3 guajillo peppers, seeded and soaked for at least 5 minutes in boiling water.
- 2 cups diced tomato
- 1/2 onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 cups chicken broth
- salt to taste
- 6-8 tortillas, cut in quarters and fried or baked at 350°F until crisp
The how-to:
- Blend peppers, tomato, onion and garlic at high speed.
- Pour the sauce in a medium sauce pan over high heat. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and add cumin and chicken broth. Bring to a boil again, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning.
- Serve tortilla chips on a plate and pour some of the sauce on top. Let the tortillas absorb some of the sauce before serving. Serve eggs, avocado and sour cream on top and enjoy!
The afterthoughts:
- Chilaquiles can be red or green. For the green sauce you can use a variation of this salsa. Cheese, chicken, onion and other ingredients can be serve with the chilaquiles depending on your taste. A classic breakfast in Mexico city is a steak served with chilaquiles and fried eggs.
¡Buen provecho!
I am also sending this post to the Mexican Fiesta 09 hosted by heidileon. Let’s have a food celebration!
31 Replies
i love love love, chilaquiles, first time i tried themi was in mexico city, in the hotel breakfast buffet, since then i aways cook them at home, but never with eggs, what a wonderful iea, i shall try that! your chilaquiles looks sooooo delicious, well done!
cheers from london,
pity
Posted on September 21st, 2009 at 5:18 pm
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Posted on September 21st, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Thanks for introducing us to these peppers. I haven't heard of them before but the salsa sounds delicious.
Posted on September 21st, 2009 at 7:52 pm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm delicioso!!!!
Posted on September 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
O that looks like a pretty heavy – but delicious – breakfast Ben! I am not sure my very dutch stomach would be able to take that in…! But it's tempting, very tempting!
Posted on September 21st, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Ole!!!! A winderful way to start the morning Ben.
Posted on September 21st, 2009 at 11:47 pm
I had always heard about chilaquiles but never knew what they were! Thank you for sharing. I could easily dig into this for breakfast!
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 1:18 am
I'd never tried chilaquiles until I moved to LA a few years ago and it has become my favorite all time breakfast. What's weird is that I've never even thought of making them myself…until now! This is a must try. Thanks!
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 2:38 am
This recipe looks so delicious! Gracias!
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 11:26 am
I think you may have just posted my husband's dream breakfast.
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Could you hand me this plate for breakfast? Delicious!
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
This looks SO good!
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
the oozing egg yolks…oh my…
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 4:34 pm
This is such a great dish Ben.
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
these are a favorite of mine although I've only had them with scrambled eggs. Yours look yummy.
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
On my first visit to the Saturday market in Oaxaca, I was overwhelmed by the variety of peppers — I bought bags and bags of them, and smuggled them home in my laundry bag!
Posted on September 22nd, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Love, love chilaquiles. Very yummy
Posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 12:39 am
You've been to Oaxaca? I am so jealous! I was there once when I was a kid and haven't gone back. Their food is one of the best in Mexico.
Posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
You have to try them with over easy eggs. They are perfect for each other :-p
Posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
One plate of chilaquiles coming up LOL
Posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
He knows how to eat right
Posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
They are so easy to make, too. Let me know if you make them
Posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
You could make them without the peppers or use a sweet pepper such as New Mexico or only use the half of a guajillo. You won't regret it :-p
Posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Have you ever tried them with steak? That's another classic way to eat them. They are delicious
Posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Now that is a "breakfast of champions" Ben! I love it!!!
Posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Those chilaquiles look fantastic!!!! I can't be shy…………I am in love with Mexican food
Posted on September 24th, 2009 at 12:42 am
This looks fabulous! What a great breakfast (or anytime meal).
Posted on September 24th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Love them but did not have a great recipe until now. Thanks !!!
Posted on October 7th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
ohhhh gooood. drool. jonny's finishing up making dinner and i'm here on the couch starving checking this out. YUM. god, the mexicans ALWAYS have the best cures for hangovers!
Posted on October 7th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Chilaquiles are a favorite of mine. It's so easy and has ton of flavor!
Posted on October 11th, 2009 at 2:20 am
There is a restaurant in Salt Lake that has a great version of this dish. Looks wonderful!
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
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