Tortas Locas

No matter where you live, you probably have some rendition of a Mexican restaurant. If you are lucky you may even have a fast food option besides Taco Bell. Rubios out in California specializes in fish tacos! Here in Atlanta we have Tortas Locas, a little joint on the north side of Atlanta that makes [just as the name suggests] crazy sandwiches!

E has taken me there a couple times and it feels like I am sitting in Mexico City. Authentic.

We make a tortas locas too. So can you. Simply because you can put almost anything on this crazy sandwich. Anything goes. Look at this stack!

Ernesto's Torta Loca

Ingredients: (makes 4 tortas)

1 stick chorizo

5 Eggs, scrambled [with the chorizo]

1 can pickled jalapenos

4 pieces smoked ham

1 avocado, sliced

1 tomato. sliced

4 leaves lettuce

4 bollilo bread rolls (or another firm bread), toasted

There is nothing precise about this torta. Stack ingredients onto bollilo roll. Add ketchup and hot sauce. Enjoy.

Tacos de Lengua (tongue tacos)

Ernesto and I are still in San Diego with his parents and eating Mexican food every day. Sunday is "family day" and mi suegra always cooks something delicious. The whole family comes over and there is a food extravaganza. She asked for requests this past weekend and Ernesto said tongue tacos. How does that sound? Ok ok, maybe it doesn't sound good, but you can't deny that is looks good!

{tongue tacos topped with onion, cilantro and salsa}

This was my first time eating tongue Mexican style. My mom made it sometimes when I was growing up, but it was a Hungarian recipe. I didn't like it from what I can remember, but I think that was more because it was tongue and I was a child!

I was surprised at the simplicity of this recipe.

You will need one cow tongue (we cooked three, but I have adjusted this recipe for one)

Rub all over with salt and oregano and place in a dutch oven.

Through in 2 bay leaves and 3 cloves of garlic.

Add 1-2 cups water and turn on high heat for 5 minutes.

Turn down to low for 2 hours. Take out of pot. They will look like this.

Wait for meat to cool and cut into cubes. Reheat. (many people shred the meat while hot)

Place into warm corn tortillas, top with chopped onion, cilantro and a salsa of your choice.

Buen Provecho!

Sunday Morning Menudo

It was a long night. You hadn't intended on drinking so much. [A shot of tequila for everyone! yeah!] You sure as hell didn't expect to cross the border partying in TJ and roll in at 4am to your parents house.

But alas, it is 9am and there is a delicious smell wafting up the stairs into your bedroom. Summoning you to the kitchen.

You are not sure why or how cow's stomach lining makes it all better, but it does. The hangover is gone....and so the mystery of menudo lives on.

If you can overlook what it is you are eating, the flavor of this classic Mexican soup is going to blow you away.
Menudo (recipe from mi suegra)

Ingredients:

6-7 lbs tripe

2-3 cans hominy

1 head of garlic

18oz can of chile colorado (brand: Las Palmas)

2 tablespoons of dry tomato broth powder (or 1 cube)

salt and dry oregano

Rinse tripe and cut off excess fat. Chop into cubes. Put in dutch oven or large pot. Fill with water. Add salt and simmer covered for 2 hours. Add Chile Colorado, tomato broth and a pinch of oregano. Simmer one hour more.

Serve hot with chopped onion and cilantro and spicy chile sauce as garnishes.

To make spicy chile sauce:

toast a handful of dried chile de arbol peppers.

Add them to a blender with one clove of garlic and a 1/4 cup water. Serve on the side to add spice as needed.