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A rustic Mexican dish of eggs gently poached in a smoky tomato‑green‑chili sauce, served with refried beans. Simple, flavorful, and perfect for a hearty lunch.
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Everything you need to know about this recipe
Huevitos ahogados, or "drowned eggs," are a traditional comfort food in many Mexican rural households. The dish originated as a way to stretch eggs by cooking them in a flavorful tomato‑chili broth, making a hearty meal for farm workers.
In central Mexico the sauce often uses tomatillos and pasilla chilies, while in the north it may feature roasted poblano peppers. Some regions add cheese or corn tortillas on the side, but the core concept of poaching eggs in a spicy tomato sauce remains the same.
It is typically served on a plate with refried beans and warm corn tortillas. A squeeze of lime, fresh cilantro, and sometimes crumbled queso fresco are added just before eating.
The dish is popular for everyday lunch but also appears at family gatherings, weekend brunches, and during harvest festivals where simple, filling foods are prized.
It pairs nicely with Mexican rice, fresh avocado slices, and a side of pico de gallo. A light cucumber‑lime salad or a glass of agua fresca balances the richness of the sauce.
The combination of smoky roasted chilies and the gentle poaching of eggs creates a silky, spicy broth that is both comforting and vibrant—a hallmark of rustic Mexican home cooking.
Over‑cooking the eggs, not removing the skins from the roasted chilies, and letting the sauce boil too vigorously are the biggest pitfalls. Keep the heat low for poaching and peel the chilies while still warm.
Roasting adds a deep, smoky flavor and softens the chilies, making them easier to blend into a smooth sauce. Raw chilies would give a harsher, more vegetal taste and a gritty texture.
You can roast and blend the sauce a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Reheat gently and poach fresh eggs just before serving for the best texture.
The YouTube channel De mi Rancho a Tu Cocina focuses on authentic Mexican home cooking, sharing rustic recipes that celebrate regional flavors and simple, farm‑style techniques.
De mi Rancho a Tu Cocina emphasizes cooking with ingredients straight from the garden or local market, using traditional roasting and stovetop methods, whereas many other channels rely more on modern appliances or heavily processed shortcuts.
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