Using Cinco de Mayo Leftovers: Tortilla-Crusted Dishes

Did you have a Cinco de Mayo fiesta last night? Got leftover bags of tortilla chips? We were just reading the May issue of Southern Living, which has a recipe for pork tenderloin crusted in crushed tortilla chips, and we thought the idea was a good one for using up half-empty bags...

Unfortunately, there's no photo online for Tortilla-Crusted Pork, but it uses a colorful mix of blue and yellow corn chips. You brush some olive oil onto pork tenderloin medallions, dredge them in the crushed chips, and sauté in a skillet.

The chips would work well on chicken or a firm fish, too. Add a dollop of pico de gallo or guacamole and you've got a full meal. The crushed chips might even make a good casserole topping.

Some recipes to try:

(Image: Garden of Eatin')

Comments (5)

I made chilaquiles with an old bag of chips last night!

My mom used to make something called Mexican chicken casserole. It's one of those junior league cookbook classics. You can swap doritos for tortilla chips. It's not gourmet, but it's so delicious. I was thinking about it today because it's a kind of chilly and gloomy day, and something about a creamy cheesy casserole sounds great.

Here's the recipe if anyone is curious.

I don't know what to call this, but it would work well with stale chips. I usually use a whole grain tortilla which I put in the oven to crisp up. It's also a great recipe for leftover beans.

Lay the tortilla chips on a plate in a single layer. Top with warm beans, cooked as you like them. Top the beans with chopped baby spinach. On top of that, place two poached eggs (yolks must be runny). Salt and pepper to taste. Grate parmesan over the top. When you break the egg yolks, it makes a lovely warm sauce.

My mom likes to make this quick meal...

She browns ground beef in a pan with tomato sauce and some salsa and serves it over rice. You use the chips to scoop up the rice and meat. It's pretty good and quick.

I usually bring "taco salad" to work the next day after taco night at our house ... mix a container of mixed salad greens with the leftover shredded iceberg lettuce and chopped tomatoes; top with taco meat, shredded cheese and salsa. Add a little oil and vinegar dressing just before serving with a handful of tortilla chips on the side. It's not too pretty to look at, but boy is it delicious!