Chilaquiles al Guajillo
Serves 4
8 medium (2 ounces total) dried guajillo chiles, stemmed, seeded and torn into flat pieces
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice (preferably fire-roasted), drained
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided use)
3 cups chicken broth
1⁄4 teaspoon sugar
Salt
8 ounces (8 to 12 loosely packed cups, depending on thickness) thick homemade-style corn tortilla chips (such as the ones you buy at a Mexican grocery)
4 eggs
1 small onion, thinly sliced
About 1/3 Mexican crema, créme fraiche or store-bought sour cream thinned out with a little milk
1/2 cup grated Mexican queso añejo or other dry grating cheese, such as Romano or Parmesan
Toast the chile pieces a few at a time in a dry heavy skillet or on a griddle heated over medium, pressing them flat against the hot surface with a metal spatula until they are aromatic, about 19 seconds per side. In a bowl, rehydrate the chiles for 20 minutes in hot tap water to cover; place a small place on the top to keep the chiles submerged.
Use a pair of tongs to transfer the rehydrated chiles to a food processor or blender. Measure in 1 cup of water, add the tomatoes and garlic and process to a smooth puree. Press through a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl.
Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium (4- to 5-quart) pot or Dutch oven or a large (12-inch) deep skillet over medium-high heat—you’ll need a lid for whichever vessel you choose. When hot, add the chile puree and stir until nearly constantly until reduced to the consistency of tomato paste, about 7 minutes. Add the broth, partially cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Season with sugar and salt, usually about 1 scant teaspoon. You should have about a generous 4 cups of brothy sauce.
Just before finishing the chilaquiles, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the eggs and cook on one side just until set, sunny-side up.
Raise the heat under the seasoned sauce to medium-high. Stir in the chips, coating all of them well. Let return to a rolling boil, cover and turn off the heat. Let stand for 5 minutes (no longer).
Uncover the pot and check that the chips have softened nicely—they should be a little chewy, definitely not mushy. Spoon onto warm plates. Drizzle with the crema (or its stand-in), strew with the sliced onion and dust generously with the cheese. Transfer an egg to each portion and serve right away.
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