Motuleño Eggs

To make the sauce, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Once it shimmers, add the onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until it starts to soften, then add the tomatoes and salt. Cook for 15 minutes, with the lid on, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes start to break down and change color.

Add the ham and habaneros, cover, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, until the sauce has a more cooked aroma and looks darkened. Add the peas, cover, and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes, turn off the heat.

To cook the plantains, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the plantain slices and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, until softened, cooked through, and beautifully browned and caramelized. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.

You can crisp the tortillas by shallow frying in a couple of tablespoons of oil, or you may heat them for a few minutes on a dry skillet or comal over medium heat, until completely toasted and crunchy.

To cook the eggs, I like to use a small nonstick pan with a lid. Set over medium-low heat and add a teaspoon of oil. Once hot, add a couple of cracked eggs at a time, season with salt and pepper and cover with the lid. Cook until egg whites are completely cooked and egg yolks are cooked but still runny if cut with a fork, about 3 to 4 minutes. You can also cook the eggs easy over if you prefer.

To serve, place two toasted or fried corn tortillas on each plate. Cover them with 1/4 cup warm refried beans. Top one of them with two fried eggs, a generous amount of the tomato sauce, add a chile if you’d like, and sprinkle with queso fresco. Cover with the second tortilla spread with beans, as if it were a crunchy tortilla sandwich. Arrange the plantains on the side and serve at once.