Barbacoa Meat Food

BEEF BARBACOA TACOS

Steps:

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chiles and cook, pressing them down with a spatula, 10 seconds per side; transfer to a plate. Add the tomatoes, onion and garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are charred in spots, about 10 minutes.
• Peel the garlic and transfer to a blender along with the tomatoes and onion (reserve the skillet). Tear the chiles into pieces and add to the blender along with 1/2 cup water and 1 teaspoon salt; pulse until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the skillet, pressing it through with the back of a spoon.
• Add the beef to the skillet and turn to coat in the chile sauce using tongs. Cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until a crust starts to form on the meat, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle in the cumin, cinnamon and cayenne pepper and cook 1 more minute. Meanwhile, puree 2 1/2 cups water, the cilantro and thyme in the blender; add to the skillet along with the bay leaves.
• Reduce the heat to low. Cover and gently simmer until the meat is very tender, about 2 hours, adding up to 1 1/2 cups water if the sauce gets too thick. Remove the bay leaves and season with salt and black pepper. Serve in tortillas with assorted toppings.

BARBACOA

Steps:

• First, trim as much fat as you can from meat. Place in a slow cooker.
• In a blender, add about 1 cup of water. Blend cilantro, garlic (i usually use all of the bulb), onion, salt and pepper with water. (you can use as much or as little spices you want, depending on your taste).
• Pour this mixture over meat then add about 2-3 cups of more water depending on how much meat you are cooking.
• Cook meat in slow cooker on low for about 8 -10 hours. Again, this depends on how much meat you have.
• If you are going to eat this for breakfast (which is the traditional way), cook the day before and let is cool overnight. (I usually start cooking mine on Saturday AM until about 6PM, then let it cool. When cool enough, I refrigerate overnight).
• In the morning (Sunday AM) BEFORE heating up, skim all the grease that comes to the top.
• TOPPINGS: Chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, chopped fresh cilantro, chopped fresh jalapenos, shredded cheese, & sliced avocados.
• CHEEK MEAT: Beef cheek meat is very tender but very very fatty. You may want to buy more or less meat, depending on the size. You can use beef roast, if you want, but cheek meat is AWESOME (if you can find it).

SLOW COOKER BARBACOA BEEF

Steps:

• Heat the slow cooker if necessary. Put the chipotle paste, red onion, garlic, cloves, lime juice and cider vinegar into the slow cooker and stir until combined. Add the bay leaves, stock and coriander, then put the beef on top. Use a pair of tongs to turn the meat over a few times in the sauce.
• Put the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on High for 1 hour and then Low for 8 hours or until the meat shreds easily when you pull it apart with 2 forks.
• Serve with the lettuce cups and jalapeño chilles and crème fraîche.