Meat For Mexican Stack Food

TACOS AL PASTOR (MARINATED, SPIT-ROASTED TACOS)

Steps:

• The day before you plan to eat, place the pork in a large bowl and toss with the lime juice and salt. Heat a comal or nonstick skillet to medium-high heat. Add the onion wedge and garlic, placing the garlic near the edge, away from direct heat. Cook until soft and blackened in spots, turning occasionally, about 7 minutes. Peel the garlic and place both items in a blender jar. Crumble the achiote paste into the blender and add the vinegar, cumin seed, peanuts and bay leaf along with the cinnamon stick, cloves and allspice. Blend until smooth. Pour the marinade over the meat and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• The next day, prepare the garnishes: Chop the pineapple, slice the limes into wedges, prepare the salsa, and chop the cilantro and onion.
• Heat a large heavy skillet to high heat and add 1 teaspoon lard. When smoking, add one piece of marinated steak. The meat should sizzle and smoke, so make sure you have a working fan and vent on your stove. Cook until the meat starts to release its juices and lighten slightly in color, 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Both sides should have dark-brown charred spots; if they don't, raise the heat higher.
• Transfer to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining steaks, scraping the pan well to remove any burned bits between frying.
• Scrape out the pan once more and cook the pineapple until soft and charred in spots. Remove to a bowl.
• Warm the corn tortillas on a comal or nonstick skillet and place in a dishcloth to keep warm. Chop the meat into small pieces. Serve on a platter and let guests feed themselves, passing the tortillas and garnishes.

MEAT FOR MEXICAN STACK

Steps:

• Brown meat and onion.
• Drain grease.
• Add other ingredients and simmer for 1 hour.

MEXICAN STACK (BUILD YOUR OWN)

Steps:

• 1. This is a buffet style option for casual entertaining.
• 2. Lay items out so guests can build their own "Mexican stack". Start with tostadas or chips, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, sour cream and cheese.

GRILLED MEXICAN STEAK

Steps:

• Toast the cumin seeds in a medium saute pan over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, or until fragrant.
• In a blender, combine the cumin seeds, jalapenos, garlic, pepper, lime juice, and salt. Pulse the blender to finely chop ingredients. Add the oil and cilantro and puree until smooth.
• Lightly score both sides of the meat with a knife so that the marinade will penetrate. Place the meat in a large plastic bag or bowl, pour in the marinade, and coat well. Marinate in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate.
• Remove the meat from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. Cook on high, 1 to 2 minutes per side, to sear the meat. Turn the heat down to low and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the it has reached the desired doneness.

MEXICAN STACK-UP #RSC

Steps:

• Preheat broiler to high broil. Set the rack 6 inches from the heating element. Place the poblano pepper on a baking sheet and broil for 4 minutes on each side, or until the skin is blistered and rising up.Watch closely so you don't scorch your pepper. Remove from the oven and place the poblano pepper on a sheet of Reynold's Wrap aluminum foil and wrap loosely to allow the pepper to steam for 10 minutes.
• Turn the broiler off and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the green onions and cook for 1 minute, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain all grease from the pan, using a paper towel to soak up any extra grease.
• While the onions and meat are cooking, remove the poblano from the Reynold's Wrap aluminum foil and let cool a bit. Peel the skin from the poblano and dice.
• Add the chicken stock, taco seasoning, cayenne pepper, diced poblano peppers, black beans, corn, cilantro, cream cheese and chives to the skillet. Cook while stirring until it is creamy. Taste and add salt and pepper as you feel is needed. Remove from heat.
• Choose a casserole dish that is at least 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches deep and can hold 2 stacks of 5 inch corn tortillas. Otherwise, you can make two separate casserole dishes. Spray with oil and place 2 corn tortillas (making 2 stacks!) in the casserole dish. Spread 1/4th of the meat mixture on top of the two tortillas. Top with 1/4 of the cheese. Repeat this step 3 times, ending with cheese.
• Loosely tent your casserole dish with Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil. Use no stick Reynolds Aluminum Foil if you are afraid your cheese will attach to the aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove the Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Let the dish sit for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!