Making Huevos Rancheros at Las Casadas in Honduras

Most vacationers to Honduras visit the Bay Islands but there is a lot to experience on the mainland including Copan, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was the capital city of the Mayan empire from the 5th to 9th centuries AD.  There are miles of deserted beaches and the rainforest.  I love jungle waterfalls and have played in many pools at the bottom of a falls. 

On a recent trip we stayed at Las Cascadas (www.lascascadaslodge.com). I wanted to stay at Las Cascadas because of its location at the foot of a waterfalls on the Bejuco River. The three-room, boutique Las Cascadas Lodge is east of La Ceiba at km 6 Carretera a Yaruca. The turn, which is easy to miss, is east of the bridge over the Cangrejal River. The entrance, which is also easy to miss, is on the left with large green wooden doors secreting the lodge from the road. After driving up the dusty,

bumpy road entering Las Cascasda Lodge was like Dorothy arriving in OZ.  The doors opened to lush vegetation, brilliant flowers, birds, the waterfalls and the lodge made of local wood and stone that blended with the surroundings. All the rooms look out at the waterfalls. John and I enjoyed the plunge pool at the bottom of the falls and also the one above it accessed by a well-prepared stone path.  There were other plunge pools further up the trail.

The price includes meals prepared to order by the chef, Olvin. John and I have been to Honduras many times and always enjoy the hearty, typical Honduran breakfast. A traditional Honduran breakfast consists of Huevos Rancheros (fried eggs ranch style) with refried beans, hard Olancho white cheese, a dollop of sour cream, Honduran spicy sausages called “chorizo” and tortillas. Of course, Honduran coffee is a must.  Huevos Ranchero originated with farm workers who needed a substantial meal to start a day of labor in the fields.  Variations of Huevos Rancheros are found throughout Central America. 

After dinner Ryan, the general manager, wanted to know what time we wanted breakfast because he was leading a group on his Waterfalls Descent and Canyoning Tour. The participants were going to practice on the waterfalls by the hotel. Ryan said Olvin would prepare a typical breakfast.  I asked if Olvin would show me how to make Huevos Rancheros. But, of course, was the response. 

In the morning Olvin had all the ingredients laid out. I watched as Olvin made the eggs and talked me through the recipe. I thought he had a very easy and quick method of preparing the recipe. After breakfast we watched the small group practice on the waterfalls before heading out on their day tour. White water rafting is also a favorite on the Cangrejal River which is across the road from the hotel.  


Huevos Rancheros
1 tomato, quartered
Half of a green chili
4 cloves of garlic
3 small sprigs of cilantro
A quarter of a medium white onion
Salt to desire
3 tbp olive oil
3 tbp salsa
One-half tsp habenero pepper (optional)
One-eight tsp sugar (or to taste)
One-eight tsp black pepper (or to taste)
A dash Tabasco Sauce(or to taste)
6 eggs

Place all the ingredients in the blender except Tabasco Sauce and eggs. Blend until smooth. Seasonings can be adjusted to personal taste.  Pour into a sauce pan add a little Tabasco sauce if desired. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Add eggs, cover and cook for about 20 minutes until eggs are cooked.