Tucson Cheese Crisp

Cheese crisps are a typical appetizer at any Mexican style restaurant in Tucson. My husband and I love to make these at home for a snack. They go great with a salted and limed Corona!

1 large, thin flour tortilla (12 inches or larger) or 2 medium, thin flour tortillas
4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, grated

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake the tortilla for 4-5 minutes directly on the rack. Remove the tortilla from the oven and place it on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Sprinkle on the cheese and return to the oven. Bake until the cheese melts completely, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the tortilla to a serving plate, slice with a pizza cutter and serve immediately.

Variation: A cheese crisp should at least be salted but you may also serve them with salsa or whatever Mexican style toppings you like. For something different try brushing the cheese crisp with Sweet Thai Chili sauce.

My Mom's French Toast

Pardon me while I take a short break from international recipes to share with you my mom's French toast which I had while visiting home earlier this month. This was hands down the best French toast I have ever had. My mom doesn't measure when she cooks anything so the measurements for this recipe are approximations.

4-6 slices of good bread (4 for bigger slices, 6 for smaller slices)
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon sugar
grated orange peel from 1/4 of an orange
a good squeeze of juice from 1/4 of an orange
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
powdered sugar for sprinkling
butter and oil for pan

Instructions:

Place a large skillet over medium heat with about 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil. In a shallow bowl combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon sugar, orange peel, orange juice, and nutmeg; mix with a wire whisk. Dip each slice of bread into the mixture, giving it a good soak on each side before placing it in the skillet. Fry on each side until golden, remove to plate, and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with butter and warm maple syrup.

Variation: Try making this with different kinds of bread such as cinnamon swirl bread or home made thick-cut white bread.

Yield: Serves 2.

Off eating...

Off eating in Minnesota, December 2nd-15th!