Huevos Rancheros and Cheddar Masa Waffles

(serves 4)

On busy days, I would assemble a quick version of this recipe by cooking an egg, warming some salsa and canned refried beans, and then topping a hot corn tortilla with all of that semi-homemade goodness.  If you have the time, try to make the recipe below.  It is tasty, filling, and makes a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Please click on the links below for technique demonstrations or additional recipes.  Happy cooking :)

Ingredients:

1	medium jalapeño, chopped with seeds and ribs removed
2	cans of diced tomatoes
1/2	medium yellow onion, diced
2	garlic cloves, minced
1	tablespoon tomato paste
3	tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2	teaspoon ground cumin
1/8	teaspoon cayenne pepper
3	tablespoons fresh, minced cilantro leaves
	shredded cheddar cheese
	salt and pepper
	refried beans
4	corn tortillas or cheddar masa waffles (recipe below)
4	large eggs

Procedure:

Tomato sauce and eggs

1. Heat your vegetable oil in a pan
2. Sauté your onions until they are translucent, then add the garlic and jalapeño.  Cook until the garlic has softened.
3. Add your spices and stir the contents of your pan.  Heat until the spices are fragrant.
4. Add your tomato sauce and tomato paste.  Cook until the sauce has thickened.  
5. Season with salt and pepper.  If you would like a smooth sauce, food process or blend it before returning it to the pan.
6. Prepare your eggs using one of the following methods: 
1. make 4 wells in your sauce, crack the eggs into the wells, cover the pan, and cook over low heat until the eggs have reached your desired level of doneness.
2. cook the eggs any other way that you would like.

Assembling the Huevos Rancheros

1. Spread your refried beans on either the warmed corn tortillas or the cheddar masa waffles.
2. Spoon sauce on top of your beans, then top everything with an egg.
3. Sprinkle cheddar cheese, cilantro, and more sauce over the egg.
4. Enjoy

Cheddar Masa Waffles
note: all-purpose and white whole wheat flours work well with this recipe, too.  

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Masa Harina (I bought mine at Schnuck's) 
1/4 cup cornstarch 
1/2 tsp. salt 
1/2 tsp. baking powder 
1/4 tsp. baking soda 
3/4 cup buttermilk (<--click for a buttermilk substitute.  Other acids, like vinegar, can be used instead of the lemon juice)
1/4 cup milk 
6 Tbs. vegetable oil 
1 large egg, separated 
1 Tbs. sugar 
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 
Shredded cheddar cheese

Procedure:

1. Preheat your waffle iron.
2. Sift or whisk your masa harina (or other flour), cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a bowl.
3. In another container, mix your buttermilk, milk, vegetable oil, and egg yolk.
4. Combine your wet and dry mixtures to make a batter.
5. Whip your egg white to the soft peak stage.  Add your sugar and vanilla to the egg white, whisk briefly to combine.
6. Fold the whipped egg whites into the batter.
7. Spoon 1/2 of the amount of batter that you would use for one waffle onto the waffle iron
8. Sprinkle ~2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese over the batter
9. Spoon the remaining 1/2 of the amount of batter for one waffle over the cheese
10. Cook the waffle according to your machine’s instructions
11. Repeat with the remaining waffles
12. Enjoy.