¡Huevos con Papas!

Bacon, eggs and Tabasco is an American classic. Beans, eggs and “Chili Macho,” is a Chicano American classic or at least it was in my family! A meal that went deep into the soul and then to someplace even deeper, somewhere definitely in the visceral. This pastime was awaited for with great anticipation the morning after spending the night at Abuelitas.

Abuelita would simply bring out the refried beans from the yeleto, fired up the stove, and cracked a couple of huevos into her old trusty well-oiled pan. She always turned out the best over-medium huevos, placed them on a plate, handed it over and her job was done.

A hungry little creacher must then serve his own beans and sometimes, if lucky enough, the best papas in the universe! To top of the experience, he would douse varying amounts of Chili Macho to his own peril!

This decision had to be weighed carefully, for it meant sacrificing the simple taste of Abuelita’s huevos con papas and frijoles and trading it for a mouthful of fire and all for the sake of being considered an hombre! The bragging rights and glory that came with the challenge for eating more chili macho than your primo was well worth it, I think.