Week 10 - Mexico

CHILAQUILES & ATOLE

Who here loves Mexican food?  I know I adore it.  I was hooked after that first Taco in Grade 7 Home-Economics class and many a Taco later love it more than ever.

Researching breakfast in Mexico was a bit overwhelming because there really are a lot of breakfast options, and each has its own endless regional variations.  There's Huevos Rancheros, Migas, Gorditas de Harina, Breakfast Tacos...but the winner of my attentions was Chilaquiles - or more simply, breakfast nachos!

As soon as I learned that Chilaquiles existed, I had to try them.  Nachos, normally relegated to the dark of night brought into the morning light!  Very exciting.  And as it turns out, simple to make.

Chilaquiles perform the same function as many other breakfast foods - to use up last night's dinner.  Just like Sinangag last week used up left-over rice, Chilaquiles use up left-over tortillas.

Very simply, you fry up strips of tortillas to make Totopos (or nacho chips as we North Americans know them), quickly cook in a pot with Salsa, drizzle with Crema Mexicana (a thinner version of sour cream) and Queso Fresco (fresh, unripened Mexican cheese) and serve alongside Frijoles Refritos (refried beans).

Awesome.  Spicy, delicious, and lots of protein to start your day!

But wait... it gets better.  Unlike 99% of the countries I've researched, Mexicans don't all drink coffee at breakfast.  The predominant drink of choice is Atole.  Atole can be traced back to Mayan times and is a creamy hot drink made with Maizena (corn flour or corn starch), milk, sugar and vanilla (when mixed with chocolate it becomes Champuraddo).  It is fragrant, delicious and wraps around you like a hug on a cold winter's day.  A definite keeper!

The Verdict:

For Ease of Preparation:






If you use pre-made tortillas chips this recipe is a cinch.

For Degrees of Separation:





Not even close to Cheerios.

For Guestability:






For late night sleep-overs with friends - yes; for a nice brunch with the family - maybe not.

For Sustainability:

I could eat a lot of these before I felt truly satiated.

Overall Appeal:

I think it is easy to tell that I loved this breakfast.  It was easy to make and super delicious - hallmarks of a great morning meal.

This was a fun spicy way to wake-up, join us next time for the island-vacation special brought to you by Samoa!