Because I know of no other way to do it. PLUS, I am a fruit freak and any chance I get I am going to add a few slices or mango or some fruit salsa. To me, fruit enhances just about every meal. So clearly, I am pretty pumped about all the pretty berries (and even watermelon, corn and peaches) filling up my grocery produce section. YEAH for mid spring and early summer produce!!!
SOO. I know that these Carnitas Chilaquiles with whipped jalapeño cream seem like they are some hefty Chilaquiles, and that’s mostly because they are. I hear you, to be honest, I wouldn’t be able to eat these before noon, I just can’t do a giant meal like this so early in the day. BUT anytime after that, these would totally be fair game. They are what I am calling LOADED Chilaquiles. Which by they way, Chilaquiles are basically just fancy nachos that get lightly fried and tossed with red or green salsa. They can be made all different kinds of ways, but I went heavy on the Mexican and just threw in some homemade carnitas. So you see, HEFTY yes, but so good! And so worth every ounce of effort. Trust me on this one.
Making the carnitas is easy. All they involve is a pork roast, a handful of spices and some beer… OR some coke, which according to my neighbor Vern, is very traditional in Mexico (he’s semi loony though….JK,JK,JK). He’s says you can’t make carnitas without a can of coke. I personally say otherwise since I never drink coke and therefore never have it on hand. Per his request though, I tried making my carnitas with a can of coke and yes, they were awesome. Still not sure whether that can of coke was any better than a can of beer though, but I will let you guys decide that one. Either beer or coke will work, but please, tell me your thoughts!!
Once you have your carnitas, it’s time to make some KILLER Chilaquiles. Oh but, just a FYI – you will have a lot of left over carnitas, so be prepared to make your fair share of burritos, tacos, salads and quesadillas with all the leftover meat. Hey, you’ll have meals to last till Monday. YEAH!! Ok so, you have your carnitas, now you need to make a little sauce in the blender, simmer it, add some tortillas chips, cover said tortilla chips in carnitas and cheese, and throw it all under the broiler to melt. Make a quick whipped jalapeño cream (OH MY GOSH, this stuff is awesome. Sweet, spicy and way better than a boring dollop of sour cream or crema). Remove the Chilaquiles and immediately start topping.
And by toppings, I do mean add everything that could possibly be good on Chilaquiles, which really just means FRIED EGGS. I mean, duh. Oh and ok, and some fruit salsa or sliced mango, but we already chatted about this. You really NEED the eggs though. Like no questions. Also, cotija cheese and fresh cilantro would be awesome. Oh, and avocado too, if that’s your thing…obviously it’s totally my thing. And then you could be all prim and proper and start dishing out the meal. OR… you could just go Gerard family style and dig in with a fork. Did I mention that no one ever taught us Gerard kids (at least me and my brothers anyway, not speaking for the cousins) any table manners? And my mother was a debutante… guess she decided to go the other way! Oh well, when it comes to eating, table manners aren’t really all that fun anyway.
I feel like everyday should involve food as awesome as this. Yes, it should!
