Infused Hot Pepper Vinegar Tucsons El Charro Food

HOT PEPPER OIL - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• Put the oil and peppers in a saucepan. Heat until the fizzing stops, taking care not to let the mixture smoke. Cool this.
• Strain through a sieve.
• Funnel the oil into a dry bottle to which you have added a dry whole pepper, for appearance and to denote its spicy flavor.

ENCHILADAS DE POLLO ( CHICKEN ) TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the chicken breasts, and boil again. Reduce the heat and simmer 20 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
• Drain and cool. Discard the skin and bones. Shred the meat and set aside. Cover.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet. Dip each tortilla in the oil and place on waxed paper.
• Place 2 tbls chicken in the center of each tortilla and roll each loosely.
• Place seam side down and side by side, in a shallow baking dish. Cover with Red Enchilada Sauce and the shredded cheese.
• Bake in the oven until the cheese is piping hot and melting, about 10 minutes.
• Garnish with the avocado and sour cream. Serve with shredded lettuce.

CHILE COLORADO/CON CARNE - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• Cut the meat into 3/4" pieces. Put a handful at a time into a bag containing the flour, salt and pepper. Shake well. Repeat with the remaining meat.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add a batch of meat at a time into the hot oil, not overcrowding. Brown slowly.
• Add the Enchilada Sauce, garlic puree and oregano.
• Cook over low heat at least one hour, or until the meat is very tender, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. AAdd water if necessary.
• I put a lid on my pan, and cook the dish for several hours over the lowest possible heat. The meat must be tender!

SALSA PARA TACOS - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and turn off the heat.
• Cool. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Can be served cold or hot.
• Refrigerate up to 1 week.

CILANTRO AND GREEN CABBAGE SLAW - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• To make the dressing, combine the oil, lime juice, vinegar, salt, and lemon pepper in a jar with a tight lid. Shake well to mix.
• For the salad, in a large bowl, mix the cabbage and cilantro and toss with the dressing. Add in the rest of the ingredients (finely mince the 2 garlic cloves, and add those if you aren't using garlic paste) and toss lightly, or place these other vegetables around the salad platter as a garnish.
• If you want, add some crumbled cojita or other Mexican white cheese for added flavor.

INFUSED HOT PEPPER VINEGAR, TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• Wearing gloves, rinse and dry the green chile peppers (it doesn't matter if the chiles are a color other than green - they can be yellow or red forms of a variety) . Stem and chop the peppers into medium coarse pieces. Place the peppers in a clean, heatproof quart jar with a tight fitting lid.
• Heat the vinegar to simmering and pour over the peppers. Allow this to cool, then put the lid on and tighten fully. Allow this to stand for two weeks in a dark, cool place, shaking the jar occasionally.
• After two weeks, strain the mixture through a fine sieve. Bottle up in a clean, dry bottle and cap tightly. Add a whole red pepper to the bottle for extra flavor and for appearance, if desired.