Grilled Beef Tacos With Porcini And Morita Chili Pepper Food

GRILLED BEEF BARBACOA TACOS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for indirect and direct cooking at medium heat. For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the middle burners and turn the remaining burners down to medium. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for best results.)
• Halve the onions through the root and peel. Cut one half into two wedges. Slice the remaining onion half into 1/8-inch half-moons and reserve for pickling. Drizzle the tomato halves and onion wedges with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the tomato and onion wedges on the hot side of the grill, covered, until dark grill marks appear, about 5 minutes per side.
• Place the grilled tomato and onion in a food processor, along with the 1/4 cup vegetable oil, chopped cilantro, smoked paprika, brown sugar, cumin, oregano, garlic, chipotle peppers, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and add the beef chunks. Toss to coat.
• Lay out a large double-layered sheet of extra-wide heavy-duty foil. Put the beef in the center. (If using regular-width foil, divide the beef into 2 foil packets.) Bring the short ends of the foil together and fold twice to seal; fold in the other sides to seal, leaving room for steam. Place on the indirect side of the grill and cover. Cook until the meat is tender and shreddable, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, combine 3/4 cup cider vinegar, 3/4 cup water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When the liquid comes to a boil, stir in the reserved sliced onions and turn off the heat. Let cool completely and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Shred the beef and return to the sauce; toss well to coat. Serve with warm grilled tortillas, pickled red onions, and other desired toppings.

CARNITAS STYLE GRILLED BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place beef steaks and marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely, squeezing out air and marinate in refrigerator 2-6 hours.
• Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 10 to 14 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness, turning once.
• Meanwhile combine avocado salsa ingredients in medium bowl. Set aside.
• Place tortillas on grid. Grill until warm and slightly charred. Remove; keep warm.
• Carve steaks into slices. Serve in tortillas with avocado salsa. Top with onion, cilantro and lime wedges, as desired.

OLD SCHOOL BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• For the enchilada sauce: Add 1 1/2 cups of hot water to a large bowl and add the dried chiles. Leave to sit so the chiles rehydrate and plump up, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and saute until fragrant and soft, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the cumin, and then pour in the diced tomatoes, rehydrated chile peppers and their water. Season with some salt and pepper. Then cover and simmer until sauce has reduced and is thickened, about 30 minutes. Puree with a stick blender (or in a regular blender), taking care as the liquid is hot and the air in the blender will expand. Puree until smooth and keep warm.
• For the taco filling: Set a large saute pan over high heat and add a drizzle of canola oil. Add the onions and bell peppers and saute until tender. Add the ground beef and saute while breaking up with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook until well browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Then season with the cumin, granulated garlic, paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 more minutes. Then stir in half the enchilada sauce (reserve the other half for assembly). Keep warm.
• For the tortillas: Take a large nonstick saute pan or griddle and spray lightly with the olive oil cooking spray. Warm a tortilla for about 30 seconds on both sides, and then lightly coat one side with a sprinkle of Parmesan. Warm through, and then flip so it toasts cheese side down. Allow the cheese to cook and brown, about 15 seconds, and then remove from the pan. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• To assemble: Place a tortilla, cheese side up, on a plate and top with the ground beef mixture, a slathering of the reserved enchilada sauce and garnish with some tomatoes, shredded lettuce, crema, lime and cilantro.

GRILLED BEEF TACOS WITH PORCINI AND MORITA CHILI PEPPER

Steps:

• In a spice grinder, combine dried porcini mushrooms, 1/2 the chilies and smoked salt; pulse until finely ground.
• Pound the meat to a thickness of 1/3 inch, then rub with ground spice mixture; set aside.
• Heat a grill pan over high heat.
• Cut kernels from cob (you should have about 1 1/2 cups).
• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat; add thawed or fresh mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Season mushrooms with salt and pepper; reduce heat to low to keep warm.
• Lightly grease grill pan and grill meat 2 minutes on each side for medium rare (cook longer, if desired, but take care not to toughen meat).
• Transfer steak to cutting board to rest.
• Reduce heat under gill pan to medium and cook corn 1 or 2 minutes, stirring, so that corn browns but does not burn; transfer to a bowl.
• Turn off heat and warm taco shells on grill.
• Cut skirt steak, against the grain, into 1/2 inch strips.
• To assemble: place a bed of cilantro or cabbage in each taco shell; layer in steak, mushrooms, and corn.
• Serve with your favorite salsa.

GRILLED CHILI

Steps:

• Prepare a coal fire or preheat a gas grill.
• Measure the chili powder and chipotle into a large ziplock bag. Add some of the beef cubes, seal the bag, and shake to coat. Remove beef cubes and repeat until all the beef is well coated (add additional chili powder and chipotle if needed). Reserve any remaining spice mixture.
• Thread beef cubes on skewers. Thread the peppers on skewers separate from the beef (use 2 skewers, one at each end of pepper, to make turning easier).
• Grill beef and peppers until beef is barely done (do not cook too well, or beef will be tough), about 10 minutes or so, and peppers are blackened, about 15-20 minutes.
• Remove beef cubes from skewers and set aside.
• Remove peppers from skewers, wrap in damp paper towels, place in a paper bag and fold close. Let rest for 15 minutes or until cool enough to handle, then peel skin from peppers, seed, and dice.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepot, heat oil and saute onions and garlic until onion is tender and garlic is white or pale golden (do not let garlic get dark).
• Add beef, peppers, beans, tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, and reserved spice mixture. Bring to a simmer and simmer, uncovered, for about 20-30 minutes or until beef is tender and seasonings are well blended.
• Serve with garnished with shredded cheese or sour cream, if desired.