Category Archives: Mexican

Barbacoa Burritos

Barbacoa:
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons lime juice
3 to 4 canned chipotle peppers (no sauce)
4 garlic cloves
4 teaspoons cumin (toast and grind whole seeds)
2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon clove (toast and grind whole cloves)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 pound chuck roast
3/4 cup chicken broth
3 bay leaves

Pico de Gallo:
4 medium tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup minced cilantro
2 tablespoons minced jalapeno
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinto Beans:
3 15-ounce can pinto beans (with liquid)
3 tablespoons bacon fat (from cooking 3 to 4 pieces of bacon)
1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano

Cilantro-Lime Rice:
3 cups water
2 cups converted rice
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup minced cilantro
2 tablespoons lime juice

For Burrito:
8 12-inch flour tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
guacamole (optional)
sour cream (optional)

Make adobo sauce by combining vinegar, lime juice, peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, black pepper, salt and clove in a blender or food processor and puree on high speed until smooth.

Trim the fat from the meat, and then slice the roast into 6smaller pieces. Sear all sides of the chunks of meat in 2 tablespoons of oil in a large stockpot or dutch oven over medium heat until browned. Add the adobo sauce to the meat, pour in the chicken broth, and add the bay leaves. Cover the pot, turn yourstove to med/low heat and let the meat simmer (braise) for 5 to 6 hours or until meat easily flakes apart. Turn meat every 30 minutes as it cooks. After 4 hours, keep the lid off the pot. At the 5-hour mark, you should be able to tear meat apart into bite-size chunks with tongs.

As soon as your meat is in the pot, make pico de gallo by combining all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and chill for several hours while the barbacoa is cooking.

Just before meat is done, prepare the pinto beans by combining beans with bacon fat and oregano in a medium saucepan. Simmer 30 to40 minutes or until most of the liquid is gone and beans are soft.  Keep beans covered until the meat is ready.

Make the cilantro-lime rice by combining water, rice, and butter, and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover saucepan, and simmer for 20 minutes. When the rice is done stir in the cilantro and lime juice.  Keep rice covered until you’re ready to assemble the burritos.

Make each burrito by first heating a flour tortilla on a large skillet over medium heat, or wrapped in moist paper towels in the microwave. When the tortilla is warm, spoon a healthy portion of barbacoa meat into the tortilla, followed by the cilantro-lime rice, beans, pico de gallo, and your choice of cheese. You can also add sour cream and/or guacamole, if you like. Fold in the sides,tightly roll the tortilla, and dig in.

Makes 8 large burritos.

Nacho Turkey Casserole

1 10-ounce package frozen whole kernel corn
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups cubed cooked turkey or chicken
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeqo peppers or mozzarella cheese
2 16-ounce jars salsa
5 cups slightly crushed tortilla chips

Lightly grease a 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Place 3 cups of the tortilla chips in bottom of dish. In a large bowl combine turkey, salsa, corn, sour cream, and flour; spoon over tortilla chips.

Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups tortilla chips and the cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. Makes 8 servings.

To Tote: Cover tightly. Transport in an insulated carrier.

For 4 Servings: Prepare using method above, except assemble in a 2-quart square baking dish.

Salsa Roja

2 cups diced fresh plum tomatoes
1-1/2 cups diced red bell pepper
1-1/3 cups chopped onion
2 large jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
1 (14.5-ounce) can plum tomatoes, undrained and chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh oregano
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 (5.5-ounce) can no-salt-added vegetable juice

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl; toss gently. Combine cilantro and remaining ingredients in a small bowl, and stir well. Stir cilantro mixture into tomato mixture. Chill.

Makes 6 cups (serving size: 1/4 cup)

Red Hot Sauce

1 ounce dried chile arbols, seeded
1/2 cup boiling water
3 cups chopped onion
1 cup water
1/2 cup chopped tomatillos (about 2)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 garlic cloves
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

Combine chiles and boiling water; let stand 30 minutes. Drain.  Combine chiles, onion, and next 6 ingredients (onion through garlic) in a medium saucepan. Place over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat; cool 15 minutes. Place onion mixture in a blender or food processor; process until blended (do not overblend). Add tomato sauce; stir well.

Yield: 3 cups (serving size: 3 tablespoons).