Power. Our lives revolve around power. Not the Con Ed power. The power of people, organizations and nations. Our lives are shaped by power and we endlessly debate and classify power: economic, military, cultural, ….
You can read or hear the debates about American power. We are dead, we will rise again, we are doomed by China, Putin is rational for a guy running a third rate country but is only a thorn in our side. I read and I listen. The problems now are different yet the portrayals of rise or fall have been with us through our history. I no longer panic. And, actually, instead I have become rather mellow. For I have learned which country is the most powerful. At least until 10 AM.
It’s Mexico. Because Mexican breakfasts are singularly the best. Thank about your American breakfast, that brownish mélange. Toast, bagels, muffins, oatmeal, cereal, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs…. There’s brown in every bite. Yum. How inspiring.
Now, look at that picture above of Huevos Oaxaqueños. Imagine starting your day with this blast of color and flavor. All that is missing is a mariachi band. Veggies, cheese, chilies, eggs and more are combined here in calculated abandon. Most importantly, this recipe is quite robust. Suzen had a basket of purple tomatillos which where chopped and added to the morning march. You, too, should take whatever liberties your kitchen counter and refrigerator offer.
I’m not a breakfast person, except on Sundays. Too often I find the American carbo breakfast to be an anchor I have to pull through the morning. This Mexican fare is just the opposite: fiery and inspiring.
This lovely recipe is from a Better Homes and Garden Special Interest Publication, Mexican. This annual publication was available this spring but was to be pulled by April 1. Lucky me. I found my copy upstate and you might be able to scour about and find one too. This issue is 120 pages of ideas that begin with breakfast but last thru the day.
Oh, on the side? That Suzen’s pepper bread with cream cheese and raspberry jalapeno jam. Unabated flavor.
Huevos Oaxaqueños
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 small fresh Anaheim chili pepper, stemmed, seed, and chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 large tomatoes, chopped
- 1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried savory or cilantro, crushed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
- Crumbled queso fresco
- Fresh cilantro springs, optional
- Corn tortillas, warmed, optional
Preparation:
In a skillet cook the onion, chili pepper, and garlic in hot oil over medium heat about 5 minutes or until tender. Add the tomatoes, zucchini, dried savory or cilantro and salt. Cook for 5 minutes or until the tomatoes release their liquid and the zucchini is tender
Break one of the eggs into a measuring cup. Carefully slide the egg into the tomato mixture in the skillet. Repeat with the remaining three eggs. , allowing each egg an equal amount of space in the tomato mixture. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the egg whites are completely set and the yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Sprinkle with queso fresco.
If desired, serve with fresh cilantro sprigs and warm corn tortillas.
Spoon sauce over game hens and surround with remaining wild rice.
Source: Mexican from Better Homes and Gardens
Photo Information: Canon T2i, EFS 18-55MM lens, F/3.5 for 1/30th second at ISO 320.