INGREDIENTS:

• Tortilla chips/multi-grain tortilla chips/flour tortilla chips/crispy tortilla pieces
• 1 can pinto beans (substitute black beans/kidney beans/any kind of beans)
• Shredded or torn red leaf lettuce (substitute any kind of lettuce)
• Salsa/pico de gallo (homemade or any other sturdy salsa)
• Sour cream - fat-free or lite
• Shredded cheese (light or reduced fat) – monterey jack or cheddar – or cheese substitute
• Chopped avocado
• Chopped green onion
• 1-2 eggs per serving poached (substitute scrambled)

DIRECTIONS:

1. For each serving- into a nice-sized salad type bowl scatter tortilla chips in bottom of bowl. (See substitutions above - recipe below)
2. Layer chopped lettuce over the chips.
3. Warm beans in small pan on stove top or in microwave.
4. For poached egg(s), set small frying pan of water to boil on stove. Place eggs one at a time in small coffee cup or small bowl to make sure they have not broken.
5. When water is sufficiently boiling, reduce the heat so that it is just a simmer and slide eggs 1 at a time into the bubbling water. Make sure that the boiling stays at a simmer and then time the eggs to desired doneness. (This is water poaching the eggs - you may use any other method for poaching - for instance an egg poacher of any type.) Remove eggs when desired doneness has occurred with slotted spatula and set gently on plate.
6. With slotted spoon, spoon up about 1/4 cup or so of beans and put atop chips in bowl.
7. Add salsa, sprinkle with green onions, a dollop or so of sour cream, avocado if desired.
8. Top all with poached egg(s) and sprinkle with grated cheese.
9. Serve with extra salsa, beans, chips, lettuce, green onions, sour cream, avocado.

This makes an excellent brunch recipe. It also makes an excellent light evening meal and you can be as creative with it as you would like substituting different types of tortillas, chips, beans, cheeses, salsas, etc.

It also works well with scrambled eggs - just do them as you would normally and then divide amongst the bowls.  Egg substitute of course can be used in that case as well. 

The recipe can also be modified and regular flour tortillas can be heated in the oven at 250 degrees and the ingredients rolled into a breakfast burrito.  Add a strip of bacon and you have another wonderfully different breakfast treat!

This recipe could not be any simpler - or more delicious.  Try it with both corn and flour tortillas!

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 flour or corn tortillas - low-fat or thin - whatever kind you select just watch for baking time
• Nonstick baking sheets

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut tortillas into wedges - usually 6 but it depends on the size of the tortillas.  Cut in half, then proceed to cut into 2-4 more wedges again depending on size of tortillas.
3. Arrange the wedges in a single layer on baking sheet - sprinkle with salt if desired.
4. Bake until crisp and golden - 12 minutes probably at least for flour and perhaps 18 for corn - again though it depends on the thickness of the tortilla and the size of the wedges.
5. Halfway through, switch the pans.

Great simple recipe to have on hand - this recipe makes at least 4 cups. If the juices start to run and you prefer a drier salsa/pico, you can simply pour off the juice.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 onion chunked - white, purple or sweet onion
• 3-4 jalapeno peppers cut in half, ends removed, seeded (see below)
• 6 or so firm roma tomatoes, chunked (if you would like to drain on paper towels for a few minutes, some of the juice does run out here)
• 1 bunch of fresh cilantro washed, spun dry, woody parts of stems cut off if desired
• Lime juice (optional)
• Salt
• Cumin or other spice of choice

DIRECTIONS:

I use my food processor to make this because it is SO super fast and easy that way.

I also use rubber gloves (disposable) to cut and seed the jalapeno peppers as they will burn your fingers. If you desire a HOTTER pico de gallo, you can leave some of the seeds in but I remove the membranes and seeds completely. If you do not have fresh jalapeno peppers, you can substitute canned and drained jalapenos instead - just add a little and then add more to taste as they are generally more potent because they contain the seeds.

• In bowl of food processor, place the chunked onion, jalapenos, cilantro, and pulse to chop. It should not take long at all to dice the above ingredients to the desired chop.
• If your food processor bowl is not large enough to accommodate the chunked tomatoes here, use a spatula to remove the first mix to a bowl.
• Add tomatoes to the food processor bowl and pulse to desired size chop. With a spatula, remove the tomatoes and add to the jalapeno mixture.
• Add lime juice, salt, cumin or other spices, hot sauce to taste.
• Refrigerate and enjoy!

This is a much healthier alternative to dips and is a snap to make!  And yes, you can make it without a food processor - you just must chop finely and mix all ingredients.