Last night was Huevos Rancheros night on the “Tex-Mex Week” menu and it went even better than expected.
Breakfast for dinner, or “Brinner”, is always a popular meal at Chez Peady and it (conveniently) seems to fall, most often, mid-week, which is exactly when I need the break – and I mean I need a break, fast (Hah!) – of a simple supper. Since it is Tex-Mex Week, and on a Wednesday, Huevos Rancheros was the logical choice!
Now there are a lot of really fancy ways* to make this extremely simple dish, but remember that break I needed… yes, I had places to go and people to see. In fact there was an especially good reason for me to choose a simple and speedy approach to last night’s dinner. There was a thing at a place with some stuff** and well, I had to be there – on time!
Once again, the goal was to offer a delicious, healthy meal that everyone would enjoy. Since we have one tomato lover and one tomato tolerator, I decided to make the components separately and allow each diner to customize Brinner to his or her liking. This is what works best for my family, generally speaking, but especially on an evening when I am pressed for time. The last thing I want is to have to have a discussion about trying new things, when all I really am trying to do is bolt. (Should I wait here for all the parenting awards? Or…?)
Not surprisingly, Thing 1 and Thing 2 tried everything, anyway. Thing 1 *loves* this meal. There were lots of spicy, bold flavours and that’s what he enjoys. Thing 2 tried the Chorizo and decided it was a tad too hot for her taste, but piled on lots of fresh tomato. So, it’s really just another case of “To each, his/her own”. In the end, everyone was full, happy, and I wasn’t too late for my thing.
Here is what it all looked like!
Eggs. Obviously.
Delicious Chorizo Sausage from Pete’s Frootique in Bedford, N.S.
I baked them at 400 degrees until done.
Delicious Salsa from Texas.
There is something wrong with these eggs! Wait. No. These are Roma tomatoes! Whew!
Sliced Romas ready to be added to the creations at the dinner table.
You know what they say? If you want to make Huevos Rancheros, you’re gonna have to break a few eggs! Or something like that.
Eggs meet fork. Break them all up, but not too crazy fluffy. Add a shot of cream. Yes. Cream.
Seasoning is crucial. Freshly cracked black pepper, onion powder (I know. I know.), and a little heat. This is Fajita seasoning.
Essential to either add or bring to the table. Red pepper flakes and Chipotle Tabasco. (Scrumptious!)
Scrambled huevos! Easy peasy on a busy night.
Which one is ready to use? Can you tell?
This one is *nearly* ready, but not quite. The nice green colour where the stem was, though? That is the sign of a beautiful Avocado.
The darker skinned one was perfection!
This is how you slice and serve a perfect Avocado. Just run your knife gently down the length and then scoop out with a tablespoon
See? Isn’t that easy? No avocado fingers, either. Which, really, I was conflicted about.
The Chorizo turned out great! I know lots of people would cook it a different way, but this worked for me.
This is the spread. There were warmed tortillas folded into triangles on the tortilla eaters’ plates with their eggs.
I sliced the Chorizo so everyone could take as little or as much as they’d like. Thing 2 took three slices and then smoke came out of her ears and she whistled – cartoon style – and then she offered two slices to Daddy-O!
Here is *my* portion of Huevos Rancheros. Lots of Chipotle Tabasco and Red Pepper flakes. Muy caliente! Note, I am tortilla-less.
Mine was awful! Can you tell? Please excuse me, while I lick my blog.
Thing 1 loved his and made a brinner burrito, of sorts.
Another hit!
Thing 2 is not a big fan of eggs, but she likes “scrambled”. Her brinner burrito was filled with avocado and tomatoes!
Orange Juice is the perfect beverage for this meal.
At Chez Peady, BB is always invited.
Huevos Rancheros Wednesday was wonderful!
Have you ever had Huevos Rancheros? Do you enjoy breakfast for dinner? Do you call it “Brinner”? What is your go-to breakfast for dinner? What would be on your ideal breakfast for dinner menu?
*Like this, this, this or this!
**I had to be at an event at Thing 2’s school at 7 to hear a talk given by a person who has helped Thing 1 immensely. I was *not* going to miss it!