Buffet-Style Huevos Rancheros — 1/1 SS Gastro Tray Method

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep: Dice onions, capsicum and fresh tomatoes; drain and rinse kidney beans; measure spices and lime. Heat oven or holding cabinet so the gastro tray will hold at ~65–70°C on the buffet.

2. 2

   Make the ranchero sauce in a sauté pan over medium heat: add a splash of canola oil, then sweat the diced onions until translucent.

3. 3

   Add diced capsicum and sliced jalapeño; cook until softened but still bright.

4. 4

   Stir in crushed garlic briefly until fragrant (don’t burn), then add the crushed tomatoes and a little water to loosen.

5. 5

   Season the sauce with cooking salt, vegetable booster, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano and cracked black pepper. Simmer gently 10–12 minutes so flavours meld. Taste and adjust seasoning; finish with a squeeze of lime juice to brighten.

6. 6

   Fold in the drained kidney beans and warm through 2–3 minutes. The sauce should be saucy but not watery — add a splash more water if it thickens too much for holding.

7. 7

   Transfer the hot sauce into a heated 1/1 stainless-steel gastro tray. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over one side of the tray (or across the top) so it melts under the buffet heat. Keep the tray covered until service.

8. 8

   Cook eggs to order or just before service: for a buffet-friendly approach, make fried eggs with runny yolks and transfer them gently into a second shallow 1/1 tray set over a low heat, or hold them individually on the tortillas as guests are served. If holding fried eggs in a tray, line it with a little oil and keep covered to avoid drying.

9. 9

   Warm tortillas in stacks wrapped in foil or in a heated holding cabinet; keep covered near the tray.

10. 10

    Garnish station: place chopped fresh tomatoes, chopped coriander, extra lime wedges and reserved jalapeños for guests to add.

11. 11

    Service: On the buffet, place tortillas on plates or let guests assemble. Ladle hot ranchero sauce (with beans) from the gastro tray onto each tortilla, top with a fried egg, sprinkle with shredded cheddar and chopped coriander, and finish with a squeeze of lime.

12. 12

    Holding notes: keep the sauce at 65–70°C; stir occasionally to prevent skinning. If cheese is added across the top of the sauce, uncover briefly to refresh melt before service. Replace or refresh eggs frequently to ensure quality.