Sopes - Maribel's style.

Sope

INGREDIENTS:

1 Package of 6 store bought sopes (we get ours at Northgate Gonzalez Market)
4 Tbsp Olive oil
1 Boneless/skinless chicken breast
1 Chopped Medium Tomato
1 Chopped Medium onion
1/2 Tsp of black pepper
1/4 Tsp of minced garlic
1 1/2  Cup of black beans -re fried-
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1/4 Cup Cotija Cheese
Hot Sauce -to taste-

PREPARATION:

*Black Beans*

3 Cups of Black Beans
6 Cups of water
1/2 Yellow onion cut into quarts
1/2 Tsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp Chicken Bouillon Powder
2 Dried Bay Leaves
2 Tbsp Salt

Place all ingredients in your crock-pot or slow cooker and cook for 8 hours.

That was easy! right???

*Re-fried Black Beans*

(Using the black bean recipe above)

1.- Place a medium sized skillet on medium heat with 2 Tbsp of olive oil.

2.- Add 2 cups of the cooked black beans including 1/4 cup of water from the beans. Saute in the Olive oil.

3.- Use a hand blender and "blend" all the beans in the skillet, this will turn them into some sort of "paste".

4.- The beans are ready! set them aside for a couple of minutes.

NOTE: As per the rest of the cooked beans you can place them in separate containers and freeze for future use!

*Chicken for the Sopes*

1.- Boil in 2 cups of water the boneless/skinless chicken breast.

2.- After the chicken breast is thoroughly cooked, place the chicken breast on a plate to cool down a bit -for about 10 minutes-.

3.- Take the chicken breast and shred into thin strips. Meanwhile on a large skillet at medium heat add 2 tbsp of olive oil with 1/4 tsp of minced garlic, chopped onion and chopped tomato. Add shredded chicken and black pepper.

4.- Saute for about 5 - 8 minutes. Then set aside.

*Sopes*

1.- Place a small skillet with 2 Tbsp of Olive oil or Canola Oil on medium heat.

2.- Place each sope on the skillet and cook on each side for about 3 minutes with a lid on.

3.- Place each sope on a paper towel (to remove excess oil), then place onto plate.

*Assembling the Sopes*

1.- Take 1 sope and spread 2 Tbsp of refried black beans on it.

2.- Place 2 Tbsp of Chicken on the refried beans.

3.- Add 1 Tbsp of sour cream and top it off with hot sauce/salsa and sprinkle cotija cheese on top.

4.- ENJOY YOUR SOPES!