Shredded Beef Tostadas Salpicon Food

SALPICóN DE RES: SHREDDED BEEF AND MINT SALAD FROM GUATEMALA

Steps:

• Brown the beef and place it in a Dutch Oven with water and cook it for 3 hours until tender.
• Remove the seeds and pulp and then dice the tomatoes finely.
• Mince the onion very finely. You might be tempted to use a food processor to speed things up but don't give into the temptation as it will change the texture of the salad.
• Trim the radishes, slice them crosswise and dice finely.
• Wash the mint and cilantro and dry them. Remove the mint leaves from the stalks and chop them finely along with the cilantro.
• Remove the seeds and interior of the jalapeño pepper and mince into tiny pieces.
• Once the meat has cooled, remove any fat and shred the meat into strips using two forks or your fingers. Then dice the meat into small pieces.
• Combine the meat and chopped mint, cilantro, onion, tomato, radishes and jalapeño pepper in a large non-metallic bowl.
• In a separate bowl, combine the lime juice from two limes, 3 Tablespoons of orange juice plus salt and pepper.
• Pour the lime juice dressing over the meat mixture and toss lightly with a fork.
• Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or more and then serve with tortilla chips.
• Garnish with sprigs of cilantro or slices of avocado

TOSTADAS DE SALPICON (SHREDDED BEEF)

Steps:

• Combine chuck roast, broth, tomatoes, onion, bay leaves, serrano chiles, lime juice, vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large pot pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until meat is tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove roast from pot and shred meat with 2 forks.
• To assemble tostadas, spread a layer of refried beans on tortillas, layer shredded beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and salsa.

SHREDDED BEEF TOSTADAS (SALPICON)

Steps:

• Put the brisket in a large pot and fill with enough water to cover the meat by an inch. Add the onion quarters and 1/4 cup salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer partially covered until the brisket is very tender, 2 1/2 hours. Add more water if needed to keep the meat covered. Turn off the heat and let the brisket cool in the cooking liquid to room temperature. Drain the brisket, discard the water and cool completely.
• Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette by whisking the olive oil and vinegar in a medium bowl until well combined. Add the lime juice, red onion and oregano and whisk again. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
• Shred the brisket into a large bowl. Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, capers, cilantro and radishes and toss to combine. Add the vinaigrette and toss to coat. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• To make the grilled tostadas: Heat a grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Place a corn tortilla onto the hot pan until the tortilla is crisp with a slight char. Cook for about 5 minutes each side. Scoop the shredded beef salad onto the grilled tostada and garnish with some avocado slices.

SALPICON (MEXICAN SHREDDED BEEF SALAD)

Steps:

• For the beef: place in large pan and cover with enough water to cover meat by 2 inches.
• Add onion, salt, garlic, pepper and bay leaf.
• Bring to boil, skimming off any foam.
• Reduce heat and add oregano.
• Simmer uncovered about 1-1/2 hours, or until beef is very tender.
• Refrigerate overnight.
• Reserve cooking liquid.
• Slice, then shred beef coarsely.
• Return to refrigerator, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to meat to cover.
• Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.
• Combine tomatoes, Bermuda onion and 3 tbsp.
• of vinaigrette.
• Toss to coat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Drain beef and add shredded lettuce and cilantro to beef.
• Mix in more vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper.
• Divide salad among plates; surround with tomato mixture and garnish with avocado and radish slices.

SHREDDED BEEF TOSTADAS WITH CHILES AND LIME

Steps:

• Cook the beef:
• Fill a large pot with 12 cups water; stir in 6 Tbsp. salt. Add beef, onion, garlic, peppercorns, cumin, and cloves. Bring to a simmer and cook, partially covered, until beef shreds easily with a fork, 1 1/2-2 hours. Drain, then transfer to a large bowl and let cool. Using 2 forks or your fingers, coarsely shred beef. Season with salt.
• Finish the beef salad:
• Add onion, lime juice, pineapple juice, and oregano to beef mixture and mix well. Season with salt. Let sit at least 1 hour at room temperature or chill up to 1 day. Stir in radishes, chiles, cilantro, and chives just before using.
• Assemble the tostadas:
• If frying tortillas, fit a large skillet with candy or deep-fry thermometer; pour in oil to measure 1". Heat over medium-high until thermometer registers 375°F. Fry tortillas in batches until crispy, turning every 30 seconds, about 2 minutes total. Drain on paper towel-lined baking sheets and season with salt.
• Spread 1 Tbsp. Creamy Black Bean Spread on a tostada shell. Top with 1/4 cup beef salad, then lettuce, Quick Pickled Onions, radishes, avocado, crema, queso fresco, and salsa. Repeat with remaining tostada shells. Serve at room temperature.
• Do Ahead
• Beef salad can be chilled for up to 1 day. Bring to room temperature and stir in radishes, chiles, cilantro, and chives just before using.

SALPICóN DE RES (CENTRAL AMERICAN SHREDDED BEEF SALAD)

Steps:

• Add the beef, onion and salt to a large pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until meat is very tender. Remove the meat and reserve the stock for soup or other recipes. Shred the meat with your fingers when it is cool enough to handle.
• Add the olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper to a large bowl and whisk together. Add the tomatoes, sliced onion and chiles and toss together. Set a side for a few minutes to let the vegetables marinate.
• Gently toss the shredded beef and avocados with the marinated vegetables and adjust seasoning. Spread on a serving platter and serve chilled or at room temperature with warm tortillas.
• VARIATIONS:.
• Salpicón can also be made with chicken (salpicón de pollo), seafood (salpicón de mariscos) or tuna (salpicón de atún).
• Other possible additions: chopped lettuce, chopped cucumbers, olives, pickled jalapeños.
• Garnish with lime wedges, cilantro and crumbled queso fresco if you like.
• Substitute sour orange juice or lime juice for the vinegar for a more tropical flavor.