Machuca Food

HOMEMADE MACHACA (NORTHERN MEXICAN DRIED BEEF) RECIPE

Steps:

• Set oven racks to upper and lower positions and preheat oven to "warm;" use an oven thermometer to confirm temperature is between 140 and 160°F (60 to 70°C). If there is no "warm" setting, set oven to its lowest temperature and regulate temperature by keeping door ajar and/or opening and closing it as needed while monitoring an oven thermometer. Alternatively, you can use a dehydrator; set the temperature of a dehydrator to 145°F (63°C).
• Using a sharp knife, slice brisket against the grain into roughly 3- by 1-inch pieces that are between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick. In a large bowl, toss beef strips with garlic, black pepper, and salt until evenly coated.
• The shredded machaca can be used right away in a recipe that calls for it, refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or frozen in zipper-lock bags with the air pushed out for up to 1 month.

MACHUCA

Steps:

• Peel the plantains, cut them into 3-inch chunks and place them in a pot with well-salted water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the plantains are easily pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Drain, keeping 1/2 cup of the water, and pound the plantains to a purée in a large mortar, or purée in a food processor until nearly smooth with some small chunks. The texture should be a bit like chewy mashed potatoes. Add a few tablespoons of the cooking water while puréeing if needed to keep it soft, and season with salt to taste. Keep warm, and serve with hudutu.

MACHACA (AUTHENTIC MEXICAN SHREDDED BEEF)

Steps:

• Place meat in large saucepan. Add water, peppercorns, 1/4 onion and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer until meat is very tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Cool meat in broth. Drain, reserving 1/3 cup broth. Mash garlic with 1/4 teaspoon salt to make a paste. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chopped onion and garlic paste. Cook until onion is tender. Cut chili into short strips. Add chili strips and tomatoes to cooked onion.
• Cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add meat, cumin and freshly ground pepper to taste. Cook until meat is heated through. Stir in reserved broth. Taste and add salt if needed. Keep warm.
• NOTE: Can be served as a main dish or in tacos or other tortilla dishes.

SLOW-COOKER BRAISED BRISKET (MACHACA)

Steps:

• For the marinade: Combine the Maggi sauce, lime juice, 2 tablespoons water, garlic and serranos in a medium-size bowl, season with salt and pepper. While whisking constantly, slowly add the olive oil, Put the brisket pieces into a large food-safe plastic bag and pour the marinade over it, turning the meat to coat. Seal and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or preferably overnight.
• Allow the meat to come to room temperature. Drain the meat and discard the marinade.
• For the brisket: Pour the oil into the bottom of a slow cooker. Add the onions, broth, peppers, oregano, garlic, chiles, tomatoes and some salt and pepper. Mix well, and then nestle the meat into the liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker. Cook the brisket on medium-high heat until the meat is tender and shreds easily with a fork, about 5 hours.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a cutting board and let stand until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Shred the meat into 2-inch-long pieces. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker, stir to combine, and let stand until the meat is hot, about 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if necessary.
• The warm braised meat can be used to fill burritos, tacos, tostadas or sandwiches. Leftover meat can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen in plastic freezer bags or containers for up to 1 month.
• For the tostadas: Spread about 1/3 cup of the warm meat over each of the crisp shells. Top each tostada with about 2 tablespoons lettuce, some diced avocado and 2 tablespoons salsa. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon crema over the top and garnish with crumbled queso fresco.
• Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.

MACHACA

Steps:

• In crockpot, cook roast on low heat 8-10 hours.
• Remove from pot and shred beef.
• In skillet, saute diced onion and green bell pepper until lightly browned.
• Add garlic and saute with onion for an additional minute or so.
• Add shredded beef to a very large skillet or dutch oven and heat with onion/garlic mixture.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Add green chilis and tomatoes.
• Cook until well heated.
• Break eggs into a bowl and scramble.
• Add to meat mixture and cook until eggs are done and scrambled throughout.
• Add enough El Pato tomato sauce to moisten but not drench.
• When all is heated through, serve in large flour tortillas burrito style adding condiments as you wish.
• NOTE: If you eliminate the eggs, this makes a wonderful chimichanga filling as well.

EASY PORK MACHACA (MEXICAN PULLED PORK)

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in stock pot and simmer until fork tender (easily comes apart when fork is pulled through). This can take up to 4 hours, but start checking around 2 hours.
• When done, remove meat from pot to shred. Two long-tined forks work well for this. Shred all the meat, then return to liquid and reduce slightly- cooking over medium heat 10 minutes or so.
• Not only is this cooked meat delicious in burritos, tacos and over rice, but it freezes well for use later. If you have leftovers, be sure to pour any liquid from the pot in with the meat for storage- this will keep your leftovers flavorful and moist.
• To adapt for a slow cooker, use ~1 qt water and 5 tsp bullion. Cook on low 6-8 hours, then follow directions as above, turning slow cooker to high and heating shredded meat in cooking liquids 20 minutes or so (to reduce).

BEEF MACHACA

Steps:

• Place beef in crockpot.
• Cover roast with remaining ingredients except salsa.
• Cover crockpot and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until roast is tender and can be pulled with a fork.
• Remove the beef from the crockpot and set the cooking liquid aside.
• Using two forks, shred beef.
• Mix beef with salsa, and if you like it a little moister, add some of the cooking liquid to the meat.
• Adjust the seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary.
• Use as a filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chimis, etc.