Mexican Eggs

Mexican eggs, also known as “huevos rancheros,” are a traditional Mexican dish often enjoyed for breakfast. It consists of fried eggs served on corn tortillas with spicy tomato sauce and other fresh ingredients. Here’s how to prepare them, with a little Italian twist in the sauce.

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 4 corn tortillas (if not available, you can use piadina as an alternative)
• 200 grams of ripe tomatoes (or a can of peeled tomatoes)
• 1 small onion
• 1 fresh red chili pepper (depending on your spice tolerance)
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 red bell pepper
• 100 grams of black or red beans, already cooked
• Salt to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh coriander (alternatively, fresh parsley for an Italian note)
• Avocado, sliced (optional)
• Grated cheese (such as Cheddar or an Italian melting cheese, like Mozzarella or Provola)

Preparation

1. Prepare the sauce: Chop the onion, garlic clove, and chili pepper (removing the seeds if you want less heat). Dice the tomatoes and bell pepper.
2. In a pan, heat some olive oil and sauté the onion, garlic, and chili for a few minutes until they become translucent.
3. Add the bell peppers and after a few minutes the tomatoes. Season with salt and cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Add the beans and cook for another 5 minutes.
4. In another pan, heat some oil and fry the eggs to your preference.
5. Gently warm the tortillas in a pan or in the microwave.
6. Assemble the dish: Place a tortilla on each plate, position the fried egg on top and cover with a generous spoonful of bean and tomato sauce.
7. Add grated cheese, chopped fresh coriander (or parsley) and if you wish, some avocado slices.

Curiosity

“Huevos rancheros” means “ranch eggs,” referring to the hearty meal that was served to Mexican farmers. The corn tortillas serve as a base to soak up the sauce and make the dish filling and unique.

Strawberry Virgin Mojito: a twist on the classic non-alcoholic cocktail

Ingredients

• 4-5 ripe strawberries
• ½ lime
• a few fresh mint leaves
• 2 teaspoons of cane sugar
• crushed ice or ice cubes
• sparkling water
• straw and decorations (optional)

Preparation

1. Wash the strawberries and cut them into small pieces (keep one for decoration).
2. Cut the half lime into 4 parts.
3. In a large glass, put the cut strawberries, lime pieces, and mint leaves.
4. Add the cane sugar.
5. With a muddler (or the end of a ladle), gently crush the ingredients in the glass to release the juices of the strawberries and lime and the essential oil from the mint leaves.
6. Fill the glass with ice.
7. Pour in sparkling water, stirring gently.
8. Decorate with a strawberry on the rim of the glass and/or a straw.

The preparation of this vegan drink immediately makes you think of summer days, but it is suitable for refreshing any moment of the year. The mint and lime blend perfectly with the sweet aroma of the strawberries, creating a thirst-quenching beverage that can easily replace alcoholic versions on special occasions or be a daily pleasure.