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Torta de Huevo

Being Hispanic but not Catholic always brings a confused look when I say that I was raised Presbyterian. But being a New Mexican means that certain traditions transcend religion. We always make Torta de Huevo for Easter. It is a dish that is traditionally made for Lent, but we eat it in quantity on Easter. If you don’t know what Torta de Huevo is, it can best be described as a kind of egg fritter floating in home made red chile. So I thought I would share my recipe with you and hope that you try this fabulous dish any time of the year. Ingredients:
2 eggs
½ tsp. Baking powder
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper
Oil for frying

Separate the yolk from the whites and put each in different bowls. Beat the egg whites until stiff – or as my mom says, till you can form peaks – on high with a hand mixer. Next beat the yolks until creamy smooth. Fold the yolks into the egg whites and add the ½ tsp of baking powder and pinch of salt and pepper. You should have a very fluffy egg mixture.

On medium heat, have a pan of cooking oil ready. Drop a tablespoonful of the egg mixture into oil and cook until golden brown on both sides. You may need to flip it a couple of times. Place on a plate with a paper towel to drain the excess oil.

Two eggs makes about 7 or 8 round egg ‘patties’. Once they’ve drained throw them in a bowl of hot red chile and let them soak until you just can’t resist and eat them to your heart’s delight.

2 members like this

Comment by Johnny_Mango on March 23, 2008 at 8:09pm: Adelita, I've been thinking about tortas de huevo all day! How wonderful that you posted the recipe. Thanks. I'm going to print this and save it.

Comment by Dr Dan on March 23, 2008 at 10:09pm: During Lent my mom made torta de huevo every friday night, since I don't eat eggs I had mini "salmon from a can" burittos with my dad. I remember my sisters burying them in ketchup. My mom only made them during Lent, I didn't realize the effort that went into making them, thanks Adelita for relighting old memories.

Comment by gsollars on March 23, 2008 at 10:16pm: Adelita, I remember torta de hueve. My mom used to make that and I simply forgot all about it. Thanks for the recipe. My mom is gone now so it brings to mind many of the foods I used to eat growing up. I also remember ny grandmother and aunts making torta de hueve when I spent summers in Socorro with my cousin. I'm going to make it for my kids the next time we are all together again. Thanks again.

Gilbert Sollars
Houston, Texas

Comment by Joan Fenicle on March 23, 2008 at 10:51pm: My husband makes wonderful torta de huevos - pretty much the same receipe (don't think he uses the baking powder) except that he cooks the egg mixture right in the red chile rather than oil. Yum! Always a treat. They are light and fluffy and oh so tasty.

PS - the Presbyterians built many mission churches and schools around New Mexico and some Hispanic communities (like old Placitas) are heavily Presbyterian.

Comment by Neonnoodle on March 23, 2008 at 11:21pm: Oh man, is my mouth watering. Yum!

Comment by Bosque Bill on March 24, 2008 at 7:25am: ... and my stomach is rumbling :o) Thanks for sharing!!!

Comment by mombat on March 24, 2008 at 6:36pm: We make Torilla Espanola, which is similar, you fry the potatoes and and then add them to the egg mixture and put the whole mess back in the pan and flip it over like a pancake. It is good hot or cold.
I am excited to try this recipe. yum!

Comment by Adelita on March 24, 2008 at 7:03pm: mombat, I've made that too! Next time I do it - or if you do it - I'll take pictures, put the recipe and post it for everyone!

Comment by psychomom on March 25, 2008 at 10:08am: My mother would make them on Good Friday but I've never made them for my boys. Thanks for reminding me of a family tradition and for the recipe. Muy Bueno!