Chilaquiles with Pasilla Salsa & Hen-of-the-Woods Mushrooms

In Mexico, cooks serve this quick casserole of fried tortillas and salsa as a brunch dish with eggs. Alex Stupak omits the eggs and instead combines hen-of-the-woods mushrooms with a spicy, rich salsa made from pasilla chiles, resulting in a light but satisfying vegetarian main course. Plus: More Brunch RecipesRecipe from Food & Wine America's Greatest New Cooks 

Chilaquiles with Pasilla Salsa & Hen-of-the-Woods Mushrooms
Photo: © Christina Holmes
Active Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs 15 mins
Yield:
4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 4 pasilla chiles, stemmed and seeded (see Note)

  • 4 plum tomatoes

  • 4 unpeeled garlic cloves

  • 1/4 cup canola oil

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground pepper

  • 1/2 pound hen-of-the-woods mushrooms (maitake), separated into bite-size pieces

  • One 13-ounce bag corn tortilla chips, crushed into 1/2-inch pieces

  • Crumbled queso fresco, Mexican crema (or sour cream) and chopped white onion and cilantro, for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle. Add the pasillas and toast over high heat, pressing them down with a spatula and turning once, until pliable and fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer the pasillas to a heatproof bowl and cover with 2 cups of hot water. Let stand for about 30 minutes, until the pasillas are completely rehydrated.

  2. Meanwhile, in the same skillet, roast the tomatoes and garlic over high heat until charred, about 12 minutes.

  3. Transfer the rehydrated pasillas to a blender and add 1 cup of their soaking liquid. Puree until smooth, then strain through a coarse sieve into a bowl.

  4. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the pasilla puree and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until deep red and reduced nearly to a paste, about 15 minutes.

  5. Peel the roasted garlic and add it to the blender along with the tomatoes. Puree until smooth, then strain through a coarse sieve into the skillet with the pasilla paste; bring to a boil. Simmer the salsa over moderately low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.

  6. In another large skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil until shimmering. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the pasilla salsa and bring to a simmer. Add the crushed tortilla chips and cook, tossing, for 3 minutes. Transfer the chilaquiles to a platter or plates and garnish with queso fresco, crema and chopped onion and cilantro. Serve right away.

Notes

Pasillas are long, black dried chiles with a fruity, herbaceous flavor. They are available at Latin markets.

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