Huevos Rancheros: Our Desert Tradition
In the California desert stands what started as a tiny cabin, but evolved through the crafty hands of Grandpa, one room at a time, into a retirement home. Grandma and Grandpa retired there 30 years ago and two years ago, on a fine summer day, Grandpa left it to go to his eternal home. Grandma still lives there surrounded by bunnies, birdies and friends. 
This last weekend we had a surprise 85th birthday party for Grandma. Friends and family came from all over the country and once again, like the good old days, there were people sacked out on all the floor space by morning. 
On Saturdays everyone goes to The Hall for the Pancake Breakfast and the Sunday tradition at Grandma's for as long as I can remember has been Huevos Rancheros cooked on Grandma's old gas stove. Someone always stops in town on the way in (30 miles away) and picks up the fixings. All I have to do is post a picture and the whole family knows where I am (and is jealous). The Huevos are made on Grandma's old gas stove in the tiny cabin kitchen and never taste the same anywhere else. I think it's the air and the fine dust particles. I wonder if we can bottle it as a seasoning? "1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp Johnson Valley Desert Dust". This is Grandma's old stove. There's a spot on the side under that pot holder to burn papers and such and for all of you who have asked since I originally posted this...it's a Wedgewood. 
- 18 eggs
- big package of corn tortillas
- 1 can El Pato (small red)
- 1 8oz can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup tequila
- sour cream
- shredded cheese
- avocado
DIRECTIONS: In a giant skillet start the El Pato, tequila and tomato sauce heating. (When we were little there was no tequila…but now this is Great-Great Grandma.)
Crack all the eggs a few at a time into a small bowl and add to a larger bowl in group. (This way if one egg is bad you don’t lose the whole bunch.)
Once it starts to simmer add the eggs into the sauce. If you crack the eggs one at time directly into the sauce the first ones will cook a lot faster than others. Poach the eggs until they are how you like them.
Warm the tortillas.
Put the tortillas on a paper plate so you can go play faster...no one leaves Grandma to do the dishes!
Put the eggs with some sauce on the tortillas.
Add the cheese, some even hotter sauce if they are for Grandma and a dollop of sour cream.
Put the extra tortillas and some butter on the table for “pushers” to get the sauce and eggs all eaten.
Avocado garnish is optional and preferred by us.
Sit in the window and watch the bunnies and birds while eating.
