Chilaquiles

For the hors d'oeuvres for my Mexican Feast, I made chilaquiles. These are the predecessor the the modern nacho. It's super tasty, and apparently is great with eggs for breakfast. The sauce has a touch of cinnamon in it which is an unexpected but great flavor. And the fresh toppings are a great contrast to the saucy chips.

Ingredients:
2 cups Ranchera Sauce (recipe to follow) or cooked green salsa
1 cup water
about 64 tortilla chips
1/3 cup finely chopped which onion
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/3 cup crumbled queso fresco or ricotta salata
2 tbsp Mexican crema, or sour cream thinned out with water

Directions:
Bring the sauce and water to a boil in a large skillet or pot. Add the chips to the pot and cook, shaking the pan or stirring gently, to coat the chips until they have absorbed some of the sauce but are still crunchy, about 2 minutes.

Pour onto a large plate and garnish with onion, cilantro, queso fresca, and crema.

Ranchera Sauce
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds tomatoes (about 4 medium-large)
1 fresh serrano or jalapeno chile, coarsely chopped, including seeds
1 large garlic clove, peeled
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2/3 cup chopped white onion
1/2 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Turn on the broiler and place the rack 8 inches from the heat source. Core the tomatoes and cut a small x through the skin on the opposite ends. Roast the tomatoes, cored sides up, on a foil-lined baking pan until their tops have blackened and the tomatoes are cooked to the core, about 20-30 minutes.

Slip the skins from the tomatoes. Put the tomatoes, chile, and garlic in a food processor and blend until smooth.

Heat the oil in a medium heavy saucepan over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato mixture and bring to a boil. As it's cooking, swish a little water around the food processor bowl and splash it into the pan. Reduce the heat, stir in the sugar, salt, and cinnamon and simmer until it has thickened slightly, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.