I would be lying if I were to say I did not squirm a bit then hitting ‘post’ due to the title of this recipe. Knowing this recipe was conceived of in an era before fear of being sued and being ‘PC’ were guideposts for decision making makes me feel a bit better about its origin, BUT I’d like to go on record to say ‘trains are safe’ and though I’ve never visited, I’m sure Tijuana is a lovely place.
Setting aside potential tsk-tsk’s for being tasteless or insensitive, I will say when I pulled this out of the family archives it could not have screamed the 1970’s louder. I imagine at the time it was considered ‘alternative’, even bohemian and ‘risky’ to serve at a dinner party being as free form as it is. So much left to chance in the layering which is not firmly specified in the measurements. Definitely a ‘do your own thing, Man’ kind of meal.
I love this time of year and the flavor profiles that define it. However as we careen headlong into cooking marathons of predictable foods, having something free, easy (‘easy, like Sunday morning’…..) and smacking of completely untraditional holiday fare offers a nice reprieve. I like to mix it up a bit.
After making it I’d describe this to be a precursor to current day Nachos in a ‘Sloppy Joes meets Nachos meets the inside of a taco’ type of way. The consistency of the sauce (the only part you cook) is closer to a thick Sloppy Joe texture with Mexican food overtones.
My first question in reading the recipe? ‘How the heck do you eat this?’ After doing so I would say both by hand and a fork. The lower chips need a boost from a fork where those on top can be used to dig. My mother remembers my Grandmother serving it to ‘company’. My Grandparents were cultured, though not pretentious people. Knowing them I’d guess the appeal was the novelty of this dish in comparison to traditional buffet-cocktail party-dinner party food of the era.
Rest assured in my vintage recipe resurrection I have not derailed my locavore sensibilities nor am I tempted to paint my kitchen Antique Gold with Burnt Orange and Avocado accents (or begin wearing Nehru collars). I used organic, non-GMO locally made corn chips from different colors of corn. Local meat, lettuce from my CSA farm, locally grown organic heirloom tomatoes, hormone free sour cream from a dairy coop (same with the cheese). In the spirit of the dish, you make it how it fits for you.
You can make the sauce ahead of time. You can make the sauce and freeze it so it is available to bail you out when meal prep time wears thin. You can alternate turkey for the beef. You can do anything you want (man)!
Tijuana Train Wreck
The original recipe seemed a bit pedestrian to me (sorry Nana). In consulting with my local butcher I mixed the meat equally with beef and pork instead of all beef. I also pumped up the spices. When making new dishes I always start conservatively on the addition to ‘heat’ spice. After simmering the requisite 2 ½ hours this could have been hotter for me. Always taste and feel free to add more of what makes it taste good to you!
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Servings: 8 Serves 8-10
Calories: 335kcal
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Sauce:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 pound 85% fat ground beef
- 1 pound unseasoned ground pork
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chile powder (I used half Ancho Chile Powder and half Mild Chimayo Chile)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2-15 ounce can tomato sauce (or equivalent volume of home canned tomato sauce)
- 3-6 ounce cans tomato paste
- 1-4 ounce can mild green chilies (or fresh equivalent, chopped)
- 3 cups water
Layering Ingredients:
- Corn chips (originally recipe specified ‘Doritos’)
- Chopped lettuce and tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
- Grated sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese (mixed equally; use Pepper Jack if you want to spice it up)
- Sour Cream
Instructions
Instructions for the Sauce:
- In a large skillet sauté onion and garlic in the olive oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Add ground beef and ground pork to skillet and brown. Drain if needed.
- Add all the remaining ingredients and simmer over medium-low heat, uncovered for 2 ½ hours. Stir occasionally.
Assembly Instructions:
- On plate place a layer of corn chips, covered by the sauce, chopped lettuce and tomatoes, olives, cheese and top with a dollop of sour cream.
Nutrition
Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 432mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2.4mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
Toni (the Boulder Locavore) says
Newestobesession: I'm SO glad! I just was given a new cookbook from the 50's made by a group of women who would be close to 100 years old now. A version of this recipe was in that cookbook too. You've served up a piece of history!
newestobsession says
Just made this tonight! Loved it!!
Jo says
Looks amazing! We'd love for you to share with us over at foodepix.com
the food dude says
This looks awesome! A cold beer and a Tijuana Train Wreck…perfect!