Friday, August 11, 2006

I heart tortillas

Growing up in my house meant that no meal was complete unless my Mexican father had his tortillas by his side - even if we were eating a Chinese takeaway. There were (and still are) two camps in the house; those that only ate flour tortillas and those who ate the corn version. The children always seem to prefer the comforting softness of the flour ones while the grown ups went for the hearty coarseness of the corn tortillas.

With all the interest in Mexican cooking, there hasn’t been enough praise heaped on the humble tortilla. Yes, it makes a meal when eaten as fajitas or enchiladas, but the possibilities are endless. It is the ultimate midnight munchies fix, it makes a tasty breakfast on the go or, as it was when I was growing up, an after-school snack.

Below are some quick and easy recipes that are staples in my house. Use it as a springboard to try other things in a tortilla. As The Boy likes to say- Everything tastes better in a tortilla! But please promise me that you will warm them- eating a tortilla cold is just wrong.

Avocado Burrito
This was my favourite after school snack as a kid. It is my comfort food as an adult and always hits the spot when nothing else will do.
Serves 1

½ avocado
1 tortilla

Warm the tortilla on both sides. Add slices of avocado. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and roll into a burrito.


Breakfast Burrito
Serves 1

1-2 eggs
2 strips of bacon
½ tomato, sliced
2 mushrooms, sliced
1 tortilla

Cook up all the ingredients (except the tortilla) as if making a breakfast fry-up. Put the cooked ingredients in the tortilla and roll into a burrito.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mmmm, I LOVE tortillas whether they be flour or corn they're always a hit in my home!!

Your breakfast burrito would be an especially big hit in my house!

Glad you received your EBBP parcel, was everything intact?

Clare said...

Xoch, a corn tortilla session soon please for us wheat intolerant types!

Jeanne said...

Mmmmm, tortillas. Mmmmmm, avocados! I have to say, though, that I think if you are used to flour tortillas (as we Gringos are!), corn tortillas are quite an adjustment - I had them in Mexico last year and at first I was really put off by their slightly sweet, "perfumey" aroma and taste. I think the filling also has a large infulence on whether flour or corn taste better.

PS - pretty please can we read about your EBBP parcel next?!? ;-)

Xochitl said...

Hi Pam-
The breakfast burrito has never failed to be a hit- do try it! Thank you for your package everything arrived in tip top shape.

Xoch

Xochitl said...

I promise to have you over for corn torillas Claire! They are the best and from the tortilla shop where my parents live.

Xoch

Xochitl said...

Hi Jeanne-
I 100% agree with you- corn tortillas do take some getting used to. I used to tease THe Boy and say that his palate couldn't handle a New World food. Choice of filling does make a difference on the tortilla taste. I tend to like vegetable fillings with flour and meat with corn.

Xoch

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean; growing up I thought I was the only girl in my block who's father ate tortillas with Thanksgiving dinner. I Love to know that I wasn't the only one.

Anonymous said...

ah! the avocado burrito! i blame him alone for putting on 25 kg when i spent a year in mexico. in addition to tortilla & avocado, I also spread some mayo on mine... and not a day went by where i didn't sneakily have at least 2 of those in between meals!

Anonymous said...

place a corn tortilla in small (6") fry pan (no oil needed. Top with one ounce of cheese sliced or shredded and break 1 egg on top of cheese. Sprinkle a bit of parmesan cheese over everthing and any spices you like. turn heat on low and cover. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want the tortilla to be. place on plate, cool for a couple of minutes or the top of your mouth will get burned. this is a very quick and easy breakfast.

Sol Flamberg said...

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