Best Azteca Recipes

PLAZA AZTECA MEXICAN RESTAURANT WHITE DIP

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a bowl.
• Whisk ingredients together.
• Cover and chill, ingredients will thicken.
• May add less red pepper for a milder taste. If you can't find plain dressing in the mayonnaise section, Miracle Whip is fine.

POLLO CREMA - AZTECA'S POLLO A LA CREMA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium temperature then sauté the sliced onion until it begins to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken and sauté until browned, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes.
• In another large saucepan over medium heat, stir together the boiling water and bouillon granules until dissolved.
• Add remaining ingredients (except for garnish) and the cooked chicken and onion, stir well, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Garnish with crumbled Cotija, a bit of chopped scallion, and avocado, serve with rice and beans, and enjoy!
• Note: to make the sauce even better, instead of the bouillon granules and water use 2 cups homemade beef stock and 1 cup homemade chicken stock.

MEXICAN STYLE MEAT AND VEGETABLE STEW - AZTECA'S MOLCAJETE

Steps:

• Fry the bacon in a large skillet until crispy; remove from pan, reserving drippings, cut into small pieces, and set aside.
• Add the oil to the bacon drippings over medium temperature, then sauté the chicken and beef strips until browned, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes.
• In another large saucepan over medium heat, stir together the boiling water and bouillon granules until dissolved.
• Add remaining ingredients (including reserved bacon) and the cooked meat strips, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Garnish, serve, and enjoy!
• Note: to make the seafood version of Azteca's Molcajete, omit the chicken/beef and instead have 1/2 pound shelled and deveined shrimp, 1/2 pound scallops, and as much skinned and deboned whitefish fillet pieces as you'd like (about 1/4 pound or more) which you will add in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Note #2: we've also added a can of black beans to the recipe, to good effect. If the soup isn't as thick as you'd like it to be, try adding a can of refried beans - it works well! We've also served it with crisp tortilla strips and a dollop of Mexican crema instead of monterey jack. It's a versatile recipe, so experiment and enjoy yourself! :) If you have made the Rich and Delicious Enchilada sauce recipe of mine, you might recognize many of the soup ingredients - to make the sauce into soup, use 2 cups of the sauce, add 1 cup hot water and 1/2 teaspoon chicken stock granules, then add the cooked chicken and garnish ingredients as usual.

AZTECA SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in large skillet and carefully drop in half the tortilla strips. Fry in batches until golden brown and crunchy. Place fried tortilla strips on a paper towel-lined plate and pat dry. Sprinkle salt on tortillas, tossing to coat both sides.
• Using a blender or food processor, blend tomatoes, onion and cilantro until completely pureed.
• In a saucepan, heat chicken broth, chipotle chili, and pureed vegetables. Bring to a boil; remove from heat. Ladle soup into serving bowls. Prior to serving, add tortilla strips and avocado. Buen provecho!

ZUCCHINI-TORTILLA CASSEROLE (PASTEL AZTECA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large heavy saute pan, add enough oil to come 2 inches up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil on medium-high heat. When hot, work in batches and quickly fry the tortillas for about 10 seconds on each side (they should still be pliable). Remove the tortillas from the heat and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• In a medium saute pan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and add the garlic and onion. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato puree. Cook for 10 minutes and turn the heat off.
• In a separate large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the zucchini and corn. Cook for 2 minutes, and then add the chopped poblano chiles. Add 1/2 cup water to the mixture and cook for 4 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with a nonstick cooking spray. Cover the bottom with about 4 tortillas. Add 1/2 cup of the tomato mixture on top of the tortillas. Top with 1 1/2 cups of the zucchini mixture. Add 1 cup of the cheese. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of Mexican crema. Sprinkle the first layer with some salt and pepper. Start on the second layer with the tortillas, then the tomato, zucchini, cheese and Mexican crema. Again sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Repeat for a third time, to finish off a third layer. Place the casserole into the oven until the cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve hot.

SOPA AZTECA

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add chile peppers and boil until soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer peppers to a dish and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes; reserve chile water. Remove and discard stems and seeds from peppers, keeping a few seeds if you like a spicy soup.
• Combine chiles, tomatoes, onion, bouillon, oregano, and thyme in an electric blender; add as much reserved chile water as possible to fill line. Blend until liquefied.
• Strain chile mixture into a large pot. Add remaining chile water, adding additional water if necessary. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, 20 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry tortilla strips in the hot oil under golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
• Distribute soup evenly between serving bowls and garnish with fried tortilla strips, crema, lime wedges, and avocado.

AZTEC SOUP (SOPA AZTECA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large pot, heat the oil and saute the garlic for 30 seconds.
• Add the tomato paste, the tomatoes (including liquid) and the chili powder and cook for 5 minutes, until the liquid has evaporated.
• Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Separately, place the tortilla strips on a baking sheet and spray with PAM (or similar). Bake for 8 minutes or until crisp and golden, turning halfway through.
• Divide the shredded chicken among individual serving bowls. Ladle soup mixture over it.
• Garnish with the toasted tortilla strips, avocado chunks, cheese and cilantro. Serve while still hot.
• OPTIONAL: Yum! Add a good dollop of Mexican Crema or sour cream.

TORTILLA CASSEROLE (BUDIN AZTECA)

Steps:

• Place chiles directly over the flame of a gas-stove burner on high heat. Roast chiles, turning with tongs, until blackened all over. (Alternatively, broil chiles on a baking sheet, turning, until skin has charred.) Transfer to a bowl, and cover immediately with plastic wrap. Set aside to steam, about 15 minutes. Peel chiles; discard skins. Remove stems, seeds, and ribs; cut chiles into 1-by-1/2-inch strips. Transfer to a nonreactive bowl.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush tortilla halves on both sides with 3 tablespoons oil. Arrange on baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until tortillas begin to bubble (before becoming crunchy), 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Wash spinach, and drain but do not dry. Add spinach to skillet. Cover, and cook until spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Transfer to a cutting board; let cool slightly. Squeeze out liquid. Coarsely chop, and set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in chiles; cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same skillet. Add garlic, and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add beans and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, mashing slightly with the back of a wooden spoon, 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.
• Line bottom of a 10 1/4-inch-round, 2 1/2- to 3-inch-deep baking dish with 12 tortilla halves, overlapping slightly. Layer with chile mixture, half the bean mixture, and half the crema. Spread 3/4 cup salsa over top. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat for second layer, using spinach instead of the chiles. Top with remaining tortillas, 3/4 cup salsa, and 1/2 cup cheese.
• Bake until heated through, 45 minutes to 1 hour; cover with foil for last 15 minutes if browning too quickly or becoming too dry. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Serve with more salsa and crema.

BUDIN AZTECA (AZTEC CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Heat oil in skillet, add the onion and garlic and saute until transparent. Add the tomatoes and salt and cook over high heat for 5 minutes. Lower the heat and cook for 10 more minutes. Correct the seasoning and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375°F
• Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the corn and zucchini and cook 2 minutes. Add the water, cover and cook over low heat for 8 minutes or until the zucchini is crisp-tender.
• Heat some oil in a skillet and fry the tortillas for 30-40 seconds on each side, just to soften. Set aside. (You could use cooking spray or sprinkle with water to soften and lower fat).
• Place a thin layer of veggies on the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with a layer of 4-5 corn tortillas and then a layer of tomato sauce. Add half the remaining veggies, half the chiles, 1/2 cup cream, half the chicken and 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat the layers, finishing with the cheese. Bake uncovered until the cheese begins to melt. About 10-15 minutes.

BUDíN AZTECA

Steps:

• Calienta el horno a 350°F.
• LICÚA los chiles y 1 lata de salsa de tomate en la licuadora hasta obtener una consistencia homogénea. Calienta el aceite en una sartén grande a fuego medio-alto. Agrega la mezcla de chile, el resto de la salsa de tomate, las cebollas, el ajo y 1 cdta. de orégano; revuélvelos. Cocínalos 5 min. revolviendo de vez en cuando. Reserva ½ taza de la salsa.
• ESPARCE la ½ taza de salsa restante en el fondo de un molde para hornear cuadrado de 8 pulgs. Cúbrela con capas hechas con 4 mitades de tortilla, la mitad del pollo, 1 taza del resto de la salsa, la mitad de la crema para cocinar y ¼ taza de queso mozzarella. Repite las capas. Ponles encima el resto de las tortillas, la salsa que reservaste y el resto del queso mozzarella y del orégano; tapa el molde.
• HORNEA el budín 25 min., destapándolo a los 20 min. de horneado.

BUDIN AZTECA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees with rack in middle position.
• Char poblanos over an open flame until blackened, 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and steam 10 minutes. Char tortillas over an open flame, turning once, 15 to 20 seconds per side, and place inside a clean kitchen towel to steam and soften. Peel skins from poblanos, discard stems and seeds, and coarsely chop.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, add onion and cook until onion becomes translucent, 3 minutes. Add garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, oregano, and chipotles to pan and cook, 30 seconds. Add pureed tomatoes and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly, 5 minutes.
• Spread 1 cup tomato sauce across the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Layer five tortillas over sauce and cover tortillas with half the remaining sauce, half the poblanos, half the cream, half the chicken, and half the cheese. Repeat with a second layer of remaining tortillas, sauce, poblanos, cream, chicken, and cheese.
• Cover baking dish with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until bubbly and golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine radishes, romaine, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, vinegar, and remaining teaspoon salt. Serve dish topped with salad.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AZTECA

Steps:

• Place chicken on bottom of crockpot.
• Mix all ingredients together except the cream cheese and pour mixture over chicken.
• Cook on low for 4 hours.
• Thirty minutes before serving add cream cheese and shred chicken.
• Serve over rice.
• *You can add any vegetables or seasonings that you like.
• We lke it a little spicier so we add some hot sauce and red pepper.
• We also add peas instead of corn if we dont have corn.
• Feel free to mix and match!
• Also, you can add more beans and omit the chicken for a veggie dish*.

AZTECA SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Sprnkle cut hlaves of squash with salt and pepper. Arranceh, cut side down, on prepared sheet. Roast squash until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Turn squash cut side up and cool. Scoop squash out into medium bowl.
• Heat oil in heavy learge pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, and saute until pale golden, about 10 minutes. Mix in chopped celery and garlic cloves. Add 1 cup broth. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add squash, 5 cups broth, and cumin. Cover and simmer 20 minutes to blend flavors.
• Working in batches, puree squash soup in blender until smooth. When finished pureeing all batches, return all suop to pot. This wquash soup to desired consistency with more vegetable broth. Add black beans, frozen corn, chopped red bell pepper, cilantro, thyme, and serrano chile. Cover soup and simmer 10 minutes. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish each with dollop of yogurt and sprig of cilantro.

SOPA AZTECA

Steps:

• Put oil in a large skillet. Add onions and garlic; sautee until onions are translucent and soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, oregano, basil, cumin and black pepper. Cook until tomatoes are soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Blend mixture in blender until smooth. Set aside.
• Bring the water to a boil in large pot. Add chicken, bay leaf and epazote. Skim off fat and foam. Add puree and tomato paste, and cook until chicken is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken. Skin, shred and set aside.
• Add bell pepper, celery, zucchini and carrot to broth and cook about 10 minutes, until crisp but tender. Remove vegetables from broth, so as not to overcook. Salt broth to taste.
• To serve, place vegetables and potato in a large soup bowl. Add, in order, tortilla strips, spinach (around the top), shredded chicken, cubed avocado and cheese. Pour hot broth into soup bowl and serve. Each bowl must be prepared as described to distribute vegetables and tortillas evenly.

AZTECA COCOA RICE PUDDING

Steps:

• Combine water, rice, and cinnamon in a large pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover pot, and simmer until all the water has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• Mix milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cayenne pepper, and vanilla extract into rice mixture, increase heat to high; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove pot from heat and pour pudding into a large glass bowl; let sit for 30 minutes before serving.

AZTECA SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400* Spary baking sheet with nonstick spray, sprinkle halves of squash with salt and pepper. Arrange, cut side down on baking sheet. Roast squash until tender, about 1.5 hours. Scoop squash into medium bowl and set aside. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and saute until pale golden, about 10 min. Mix in chopped celery and garlic, add 1 cup broth. Cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally Add squash, 5 cups broth and cumin. Cover and simmer 20 minutes to blend flavors. Puree soup in blender utnil smooth. Add black beans, corn, bell pepper, cilantro, thyme and serrano chili. Cover and simmer 10 minutes Season to taste with salt & pepper.

AZTECA (TORTILLA CHIP) SOUP

Steps:

• Place tomatoes in boiling water for about 2 minutes.
• Remove tomatoes and in a food processor, blend them with the onion and garlic.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a 2 Litre sauce pan. Add the blended tomato mixture. Cook until it changes colour and has a pleasant cooked taste.
• Add the broth and heat until it just starts to boil. Simmer and add the Epazote leaves, salt and pepper.
• In a separate pan or griddle roast the dried pasilla chilies in the remaining vegetable oil until they change colour but do not blacken. If burnt, the chillies will taste bitter and unpleasant.
• To serve, use deep bowls. Pour or ladle in the very hot broth mixture. Place a handful of chips in the soup and garnish with grated cheese, avocado, and sour cream. Serve immediately so the chips do not get soggy.
• Serve the grilled chillies on the side for individuals to use to their taste.

TORTA AZTECA OR PASTEL DE POBRES

Steps:

• Quick fry tortillas in oil for 2 to 3 seconds on each side; drain.
• Line the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan with 3 tortillas, then start layering sauce, creme cheese, and all of the ingredients. The top will only have sauce, cream and cheese.
• The ingredients from the refried beans down are all suggestions. You can put in any combination you like of the meats, depending on what you have on hand.
• Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350°.
• Garnish with onions, cilantro and avocado.

AZTECA

Steps:

• Make the coconut sea salt:
• In a food processor, process the coconut flakes and salt until fully combined, about 1 minute-the mixture will be light and fluffy. DO AHEAD: Coconut sea salt can be prepared in advance and stored, in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 2 weeks.
• Make the chile elixir:
• In a small saucepan, bring the chiles and distilled or tap water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to moderate and simmer, uncovered, until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. DO AHEAD: Chile elixir can be prepared in advance and refrigerated up to 2 weeks.
• Make the vanilla elixir:
• In a small saucepan, bring the vanilla and distilled or tap water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer, uncovered, until reduced by half-note that this reduces very quickly, in about 5 minutes. DO AHEAD: Vanilla elixir can be prepared in advance and refrigerated up to 2 weeks.
• Make the Azteca:
• Pour the lime juice onto a small plate and spread the coconut sea salt on a second small plate. Dip the rim of a 12-ounce glass into the lime juice, then dip it into the coconut sea salt to lightly coat.
• In a cocktail shaker, combine the cocoa powder, chile elixir, vanilla elixir, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously until well combined. Add ice to the prepared glasses, then strain the Azteca into each glass. Add enough soda water to fill each glass, then stir to incorporate.

STEAK AZTECA

Steps:

• To make Marinated Beef:.
• Combine all ingredients, except beef medallions, in large non-reactive container; mix until honey is blended.
• Add beef and turn to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
• Turn medallions once during marinating.
• To make Tomatillo Chutney:.
• Saute jalapeno peppers and garlic in oil in non-reactive saucepan until tender.
• Add remaining ingredients, except cilantro, salt and pepper then bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes or until liquid is syrupy and tomatillos begin to discolor.
• Cool.
• Stir in cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
• Yield: about 2 quarts.
• To make Mushroom Quesadillas:.
• Spread 2 teaspoon butter on 1 side of each tortilla.
• Place 1 tortilla, buttered side down, on plastic wrap.
• Top 1 half with ¼ cup mushrooms and 1 ounce cheese.
• Fold in half; wrap in plastic.
• Repeat with remaining ingredients. Refrigerate.
• Yield: 24 quesadillas.
• For each serving, to order:.
• On griddle or non-stick pan, cook 1 quesadilla until crisp and golden brown, turning once; cut into 3 wedges.
• Keep warm.
• Grill or saute 3 beef medallions to medium rare to medium, turning once.
• Place ¼ cup chutney near center of plate.
• Overlap beef medallions on chutney.
• Add quesadillas wedges.
• Garnish with watercress.