I am originally from Colorado and being from the southwest makes me a natural native to Mexican-inspired food. Many Sundays my family and I would go out to eat at delicious breakfast restaurants and I always remember my dad ordering Huevos Rancheros – which is a great mixture of a tortilla, refried beans, fried eggs, salsa and cheese.

Eggs are some of the most versatile foods known to the kitchen. You can use them alone, along with other ingredients, and they make every dish sing with flavor depending on how you use them. Huevos Rancheros have always been a favorite of mine and my late fathers. See the other Huevos Rancheros recipe on Stagetecture, here.

Today I feature a twist on that recipe with black beans. They give the dish a more substantial bite and infuses authentic southwestern flavors throughout this delicious breakfast dish. Let me know what you think.

Black Bean Huevos Rancheros Recipe

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Huevos Rancheros Recipe Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups fresh tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
salt, to taste

2 teaspoons canola oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (19 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
8 (7 inch) corn tortillas
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 eggs

Huevos Rancheros Recipe Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. In a large frying pan, saute onion in a little olive oil until tender, about 5 minutes. (At this point, if you are adding other veggies, do this now, cooking until tender). Add garlic, sauté for a minute or two.

3. Add 1/2 of the diced tomatoes and cooked rinsed beans, spices, salt, and 2 T water.

4. Let simmer on med low for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Brush cast iron large skillet with olive oil, coating the edges too. Lay tortillas down and use a cooking brush to brush tops of tortillas with a little oil.

6. Divide bean mixture, making little indentions with the back of a spoon, for the eggs to rest, so they stay in place. Layer the tortillas so they come up the sides of the skillet, and spread all of the beans evenly over the tortillas, making indents for the eggs.

7. Carefully crack the eggs and place them in the indentions. Sprinkle eggs with salt and pepper, and if you want, crumbled cheese, and place in the hot oven. Check after 10-12 minutes. Cook until egg whites are white and yolks are to your desired doneness.

8. Serve with avocado, lime, cilantro, hot sauce, jalapenos, chopped chiles, adobo sauce and fresh tomatoes.

Feel free to serve the Black Bean Huevos Rancheros with additional warm tortillas, salsa, sour cream and guacamole if desired.

For more brunch recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Are you trying to stick to your vegan lifestyle and still enjoy delicious vegan recipes? Vegans almost every day have to deal with strangers bombarding them with questions regarding the low protein content in their diet. A well planned vegan diet made up of foods such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, beans, soy milk and almonds are all rich and healthy sources of protein. Meat is not the only source of protein and dairy is not the only source of calcium.

Here is a vegan take on our favorite fajitas. So the next time you invite your vegan friend for dinner, there is more you can serve than just salads.

Kicked Up Autumn Fajitas – 

Vegan Recipe

Image via: Casaresnick

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Ingredients:

Whole wheat tortillas

Yellow squash – 2 medium, sliced

Red bell pepper – 1, cut into strips

Green bell pepper – 1, cut into strips

Extra-virgin olive oil – 3 Tbsp.

Corn – 1/2 cup canned, or 1 1/2 fresh chopped

Black beans – 15 oz can, or soak your own overnight

White onion – sliced

Garlic salt – 1 Tbsp.

Oregano – 1 Tbsp.

Chili powder – 2 tsp

Cayenne pepper – 2 tsp

Salt – to taste

Black pepper – to taste

Lime juice – 1/4 cup (60ml) juiced

Cilantro – (optional) as a garnish

Image via: Ohsheglows.com

Instructions:

1. Prepare a marinade of olive oil (2 Tbsp.), chili powder, garlic salt, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, pepper. Add the yellow squash, white onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the marinade. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the marinade and vegetables, then sauté until tender. This should take about 10 – 15 minutes on medium high heat.

3. Stir in the black beans and corn. Mix well. Turn up the heat to high and cook for 5 minutes to brown the mix. Add lime juice or lemon to the vegan fajita mix and serve in the flour tortillas.

4. You can also add avocados and tofu if you like. Try substituting black beans with chick peas for a slight variation. Enjoy your delicious vegan meal.

For more vegan recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Mexican Breakfast Tacos Recipe

Image via: Saborde Mexico

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Ingredients

6 ounces chorizo sausage
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas
6 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 dash hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco), or to taste
1/2 cup salsa

Image via: Bev Cooks

Directions

Have a craving for a Mexican dessert? What are you serving for dessert for your Cinco De Mayo celebration? Indulge your passion with the classic Mexican flan. You will definitely fall from its sweet aroma and delicious taste. Not to mention the tempting looks of the Mexican flan when served on the table. This recipe is so convenient to make and the ingredients are not so hard to find. You can almost see the entire ingredient in your fridge.

Cinco De Mayo – Mexican Classic: Creamy Flan

Image via: Grit

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Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 3-1/2 cups whole milk
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract

Image via: She Wears Many Hats

Procedure

1. In a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, cook 1 cup sugar until melted, about 20 minutes. Do not stir. Reduce heat to low; cook for 5 minutes or until syrup is golden brown, stirring occasionally. Quickly pour into an ungreased shallow 10-in. round baking dish, tilting to coat bottom of dish. Place dish in a large baking pan; let stand for 10 minutes.
2. In a large saucepan, heat milk until bubbles form around sides of pan. Remove from the heat. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, salt and remaining sugar. Stir 1 cup warm milk into egg mixture; return all to the pan and mix well. Stir in vanilla. Slowly pour into prepared baking dish.
3. Add 3/4 in. hot water to the large baking pan. Bake at 325° for 35-40 minutes or until center is just set (mixture will jiggle). Remove flan to a wire rack; cool for 1 hour. Chill overnight. Run a knife around edge to loosen; invert onto a rimmed serving dish.

The whole ingredients yield up to eight delicious servings of Mexican flan. You will definitely make this on top your list when hosting a party or gatherings. Your guests will surely love the creamy texture and sweet aroma of this sumptuous dessert.

For more recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

]]> https://stagetecture.com/cinco-de-mayo-mexican-classic-creamy-flan-recipe/feed/ 0 47522 https://stagetecture.com/the-best-cinco-de-mayo-black-bean-quesadillas-recipe/ https://stagetecture.com/the-best-cinco-de-mayo-black-bean-quesadillas-recipe/#respond Fri, 03 May 2013 00:02:46 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=47499 Entry #2372, May 2, 2013

Do you love Mexican flavors but not the heat that comes with it? Well, here’s one recipe that fits your taste. The black bean quesadillas recipe offers great Mexican flavors without the pinch of heat. The tasty blend of vegetable quesadillas and savory beans is simply irresistible.

The black bean quesadillas recipe is so easy to bake and quick to prepare. You don’t have to be a skillful chef to do this. All you need is your cooking utensils and a few minutes to bake this delicious Mexican recipe.

The Best Cinco De Mayo Black Bean Quesadillas Recipe

Image via: The Curvy Carrot

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Ingredients

• 1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 10 flour tortillas (6 inches)
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Procedure

1. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, sauté the yellow pepper, onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and corn; cook 2 minutes longer. Add the black beans, pepper and salt. Cook until vegetables are tender; drain.
2. Spritz one side of each tortilla with cooking spray; place plain side up on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Spoon bean mixture onto half of each tortilla; sprinkle with cheese. Fold tortilla over filling.
3. Bake at 400° for 6 minutes. Carefully turn over; bake 4-7 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

The whole ingredients will serve five persons. This is a delicious Mexican recipe that health-conscious people will definitely love. Add a bit of taco sauce if you want to enhance the flavors. You can also have a separate spicy sauce for those who want to feel the heat.

For more food recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy Sunday FB! Is there anything better than enjoying a Mexican-inspired breakfast on a Sunday morning? Whether you are in the mood for a hand held delight that is easy to pick up or you are serving up your hungry clan, you will love these Ranchero Breakfast Tostadas!  Thanks Bon Appetit and Sara Forte for this breakfast that looks scrumptious!

Sunday Ranchero Breakfast Tostadas

Image via: Bon Appetit/Sara Forte

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Ingredients

Black Bean Mash

2 cups cooked black beans
1/4 to 1/2 cup light sour cream
2 green onions, white and green parts, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 slices cooked bacon, chopped (optional)

8 small corn tortillas
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
1 tablespoon coconut oil or unsalted butter
8 eggs
1 cup shredded white Cheddar cheese
2 avocados, peeled and thinly sliced
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime, in wedges
Hot sauce, for serving (optional)

Directions

1. Whether cooking the beans from scratch or using canned, drain the beans and add them to a saucepan over low heat and warm through. Add about 1/4 cup tepid water, 1/4 cup of the sour cream, the green onions, cumin, salt, and pepper and mash with a potato masher or a large fork until coarsely mashed but not entirely smooth. Stir in the bacon. Taste for salt and pepper, add the remaining sour cream if you’d like the beans to be creamier, then turn off the heat and keep covered until needed.

2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the tops of the tortillas with a bit of olive oil and lay them on a rimmed baking sheet (it’s fine if they overlap). Bake until just lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

3. Heat a large frying pan with the coconut oil over medium heat. Working in batches as necessary, gently break the eggs in the pan and cook sunny-side up or to your desired doneness, covering the pan if you like your yolks more cooked through. Build a tostada by topping a tortilla with about 1/4 cup of the bean mash, 1 egg, and an eighth of the cheese, avocado slices, and cilantro. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Serve garnished with a slice of lime and hot sauce to taste.

For more breakfast recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

It was no surprise to hear Cancun named best Mexican holiday destination by two popular travel sites this month. The Caribbean resort in the Yucatan peninsula is like a snowball that keeps on growing. Starting out as a cult destination for college spring-breakers, it’s become a no-holds barred world party town that still has attractions for families too. Here are some of the reasons why.

1. Great beaches

Showcasing the trademark turquoise waters of the Caribbean and the Baia Mujeres, Cancun’s beaches are up there with the very best. Watching the golden sun rise above the watery horizon after a night partying has become a rite-of-passage experience for bleary-eyed students. But for many, beach life means getting active, and on that score too Cancun doesn’t disappoint. There are organised snorkelling, scuba diving and other water sports opportunities aplenty – these can also be a great way to meet new friends. If this sounds like the kind of experience you’re looking for, you can easily find the perfect resort for your Cancun holidays on websites such as Thomson.co.uk.

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2. Friendly locals

In some tourist honeypot resorts, the locals shy away and keep to themselves. Not so Cancun, which is consistently praised for its levels of service and general welcome. Whether for its locals v tourists games of volleyball on the beach, or the cheery waiters in bars and cafes, the happy-go-lucky vibe of the place is what keeps people coming back for more year after year.

3. Nightlife

Cancun wouldn’t be Cancun without the best club scene on the Caribbean coast. Mega dance floors at the likes of Carlos and Charles’, or Coco Bongos, keep the hits coming and the clientele happy. The system for entry is a flat fee with free drinks at the bar all night, meaning the tequila and beers do tend to flow quite freely. But somehow Cancun keeps the focus on fun rather than simply getting tanked. After all, where else could you go into a club in your swimsuit and hurl yourself down a waterslide into a lagoon?

4. Family attractions

Cancun is far more than just a party town, as shown by its popularity with families. On a visit to the Xcaret eco-adventure theme park, kids and adults alike will love the chance to walk through a bat-cave, swim with dolphins, and see exotic creatures including the lord of the South American jungle, the jaguar. Alternatively, wannabe Lara Crofts can journey into the ancient Mayan civilisation by visiting the excavations at nearby Tulum.

The Mayans have a prophecy that the end of the world is coming this Christmas. Well, it may take an event of cataclysmic proportions to knock Cancun of its perch at the top of Mexico’s tourist tree.

For more travel tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Any visitor to Mexico can tell you about the pristine beaches, world-class archaeological sites and friendly people, but those who have really experienced Mexico first mention the food. Mexican food has been captured in film, discussed by historians, talked about on television shows, reproduced by multi-national food companies, written about in literature and even honoured by the United Nations as a cuisine of international importance.

Discovering authentic Mexican cuisine:

Immediately after booking their cheap holidays to Mexico on websites such as Holiday Hypermarket, gourmet travelers can start preparing for a real ‘foodie’ experience: this country offers countless local traditions to be experienced, and recipes that you can take home and use.
First, it is useful to see what the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said in awarding Mexican cuisine with its one-of-a-kind honour. UNESCO writes, ‘Traditional Mexican cuisine is a comprehensive cultural model comprising farming, ritual practices, age-old skills, culinary techniques and ancestral community customs and manners. It is made possible by collective participation in the entire traditional food chain: from planting and harvesting to cooking and eating.’ So at its most holistic and pure, Mexican food is about not only passing along traditions in the kitchen, but it is a communal activity with people involved in growing food also.

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The key ingredients in traditional Mexican cuisine:

Mexicans use several key ingredients: usually corn and maize for tortillas (though sometimes flour is used), beans (local favourites such as black and pintos have been used for centuries and precede Columbus), and spices that are combined with tomatoes to make salsa (generally much runnier than salsa purchased in the supermarkets outside of Mexico).

Of course, wealthier Mexicans would incorporate meat into their diet – often chicken – though we must remember that Mexico is a large country, with different traditions in its various regions: for example, for those closer to the water, fish and other seafood makes up a much larger part of the diet, and indeed, a wonderful seafood paella (incorporating traditions from Mexico’s Spanish colonizers) can be had at reasonable prices in the villages and towns near the Gulf of Mexico or Pacific Ocean.

Excellent food recipes can be found using these ingredients, though it is the ethos the UN mentioned, and the local people of Mexico, who make the food special.

Image sources: 1, 2

For more food and travel ideas on Stagetecture, click here.