South Of The Border Essentials Awesome Taco Meat Food

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER BEEF TACO SALAD WITH PICKLED ONION, AVOCADO DRESSING & LIME CREMA

Steps:

• • Wash and dry produce. • Halve, peel, and thinly slice half the onion; finely chop remaining. Zest and quarter lime. Peel and mince or grate garlic. Trim and discard root end from lettuce; halve lengthwise, then chop crosswise into 1-inch ribbons. Dice tomato into ½-inch pieces. Gently crush tortilla chips in their bag into small pieces.
• • In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine sliced onion, juice from two lime wedges, ½ tsp sugar, 1 TBSP water, and a pinch of salt (for 4 servings, use juice from four lime wedges, 1 tsp sugar, 2 TBSP water, and 2 pinches of salt). Microwave until onion is softened, 30 seconds. Set aside to pickle; stirring occasionally.
• • In a large bowl, combine guacamole, half the lime zest, juice from one lime wedge (two wedges for 4 servings), 1 TBSP olive oil (2 TBSP for 4), and a pinch of garlic. Add water 1 tsp at a time until mixture reaches a thick drizzling consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
• • In a second small bowl, combine sour cream and remaining lime zest. Add water 1 tsp at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
• • Heat a drizzle of oil in a large, preferably nonstick, pan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion; cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes. • Add beef*, Southwest Spice, remaining garlic, ¾ tsp salt (1½ tsp for 4 servings), and pepper. Cook, breaking meat up into pieces, until almost cooked through, 3-5 minutes. • Add hot sauce and ¼ cup water (1⁄3 cup for 4). Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until liquid has absorbed and beef is cooked through, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• • Add lettuce to bowl with dressing. Toss until thoroughly coated. • Divide salad between bowls. Top with beef (draining excess grease if necessary), tomato, pickled onion (draining first), and tortilla chips. Drizzle crema over top and serve.

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER ESSENTIALS: AMAZING TACO SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. By nature, this is a thin sauce, but if you want it a bit thicker, add the optional arrowroot or cornstarch with the other dry ingredients, and add when directed by the recipe. I would with just 1 tablespoon, and add the other, if needed.
• 3. If you like Worcestershire, but do like the fact that it has anchovies in it, then check out my anchovy-free version: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/diy-essentials-homemade-worcestershire-sauce.html?r=1
• 4. You will be using 6 ounces of tomato sauce, and the smallest can of tomato sauce is 8 ounces. I you do not have an immediate use for it, do not forget that you can freeze it. I use an old plastic ice tray, freeze the sauce in one or two-ounce portions, then put the cubes in a Ziploc freezer bag. It will last five-to-seven days in the fridge, and three-to-months, if frozen. Easy/Peasy.
• 5. Use restraint with the liquid smoke (if using). One, maybe two drops is all you are going to need. I would add it in at the end, while it is simmering... one drop then taste.
• 6. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 7. Grind up the dehydrated onions.
• 8. Add the ground onions and other spices to a bowl and mix to combine.
• 9. If you are using the arrowroot or cornstarch, add it now, with the other dry spices.
• 10. Add the wet ingredients to a saucepan, over medium heat.
• 11. Bring up to a slow simmer.
• 12. Add the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.
• 13. Simmer for 10 - 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• 14. While it is simmering, taste for "proper" seasoning.
• 15. When cool, store in the refrigerator in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
• 16. It will last about 4 - 6 weeks.
• 17. PLATE/PRESENT
• 18. Use as you would any other yummy taco sauce. Enjoy.
• 19. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER ESSENTIALS: SMOKY TACO DRY MIX

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. You will need a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid to store this seasoning. I find old spice jars serve that purpose quite well. Make sure that you wash them out really good, so that your new spice does not pick up the flavors of the old one.
• 3. This recipe will give you enough spice mix to flavor 1 pound of ground beef, turkey, chicken, or pork.
• 4. Ancho chili powder not only has a bit of heat; in addition, it has a bit of smoke. So, we are getting our smoky flavor from two sources: The chili powder, and the smoked paprika. In addition, I doubled down on the cumin, subbed the onion powder for crushed dehydrated onions, and used white pepper for some sweet, sweet heat.
• 5. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 6. Grind the dehydrated onions using a mortar-and-pestle, or spice grinder.
• 7. Add all of the spices to a bowl.
• 8. Combine the ingredients, and then store in a good jar with a tight-fitting lid. Then store as you would any other dry spices.
• 9. MAKING THE TACO MEAT
• 10. Take 1-pound of ground beef, chicken, pork, turkey, or any combination thereof, and brown in a skillet with a bit of grapeseed oil, or other non-flavored variety.
• 11. Add the taco spices along with 1 cup of beef stock, or water.
• 12. Slowly simmer until the liquid is reduced by 60 - 70 percent, about 12 - 15 minutes.
• 13. PLATE/PRESENT
• 14. Serve as you would any yummy taco meat, like on these melted cheese tacos. Enjoy.
• 15. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER ESSENTIALS: AWESOME TACO MEAT

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. To make this recipe, you will require a pot or skillet large enough to hold all of the ingredients.
• 3. The Ground Beef I grind my own meats, and for this recipe I am using a lean chuck roast (80/20). You can get ground chuck from your local butcher; however, you could try other types of meat; even ground chicken or turkey.
• 4. Can You Freeze this Recipe? Absolutely, just put it into portion-size freezer bags (Ziploc), squeeze as much air out as possible, and pop into the fridge. It should be good for 4 - 6 months. When needed, let the bag defrost overnight in the fridge, then slowly heat up over low heat. FYI: If you use a vacuum sealer, you will extend the freezer time to about a year. I LOVE my vacuum sealer.
• 5. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 6. Add the ground beef to a pot or skillet over medium heat.
• 7. Add the onion, if using.
• 8. As it cooks, break it up using a spatula or wooden spoon.
• 9. After it is cooked, drain off any grease, and add all the dry spices. Stir until the beef is coated in the spice mixture. Add the tomato sauce and beef stock, then stir and bring up to a simmer. Simmer until it begins to thicken, about 20 - 30 minutes.
• 10. PLATE/PRESENT
• 11. Serve with corn or flour tortillas and other fixings. Enjoy.
• 12. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER ESSENTIALS: BEEF BARBACOA

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. There are a lot of chili pastes at your grocer; however, the best variety is the one you make yourself. Try this out, when you get a chance, you will not be disappointed. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/south-of-the-border-essentials-chili-paste.html
• 3. Where is the Beef? The traditional beef for this dish is beef brisket; however, I see no reason not to try something else, like a chuck roast, arm roast; even a good pork shoulder. If you choose something else, like a chuck roast your time will be much shorter, probably in half. So, use what you have, keep an eye on it... It is finished when the meat is fork tender.
• 4. Baked Garlic I love what baking does to garlic... it mellows the flavor and creates an awesome ingredient that enhances so many diverse dishes. I use it so much in catering that I usually bake 15 or more heads of garlic at a time, and then save them for when needed. If you do not wish to use baked garlic, you can use regular minced cloves, but cut the amount in half. Here is the recipe that I use... it is easy/peasy: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/seasoning-mix/cooking-essentials-baked-garlic.html?r=4
• 5. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 6. If the brisket has a lot of fat, cut off all but about 1/2 inch (1.3cm)
• 7. Add all of the sauce ingredients to the bowl of your slow cooker and whisk to combine.
• 8. Add the brisket and toss with the sauce ingredients.
• 9. Set the cooker to low, and slow cook until the brisket is fork tender, about 12 or more hours.
• 10. I usually set the slow cooker up before I go to bed, and then just let it keep cooking away until tender.
• 11. You can speed the process up by cooking at high; however, I think that it is worth the wait, because of the way the flavors blend over the long cooking time.
• 12. Remove the brisket and shred.
• 13. Return to the slow cooker, blend with the sauce, and cook an additional 15 minutes, or until warmed through.
• 14. PLATE/PRESENT
• 15. Serve on tacos, over rice, on a loaded baked potato, whatever you so choose. Enjoy.
• 16. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

MEXICAN ESSENTIALS: SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• Here is a great recipe for refried beans: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/vegetable/south-of-the-border-essentials-refried-beans.html?r=10
• These work well with beef, pork, or chicken... Here is an awesome recipe for steak taco meat: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/beef/mexican-essentials-awesome-steak-taco-meat.html?r=11
• There are a lot of cheeses that you could use for this... even a combination of different varieties. I felt that the queso fresco, really pulled the other ingredients together, and helped to make this recipe a success.
• Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c).
• Brush both sides of the tortillas with the avocado oil.
• Toast in the oven until browning is spots, and beginning to crisp, about 3 - 5 minutes.
• Chef's Note: Turn the tortillas over after 2 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, and spread some refried beans over the top.
• Add a generous amount of chicken, pork, or beef.
• Cover with the cheese... Be generous.
• Pop back into the oven, for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melty, and beginning to brown in spots.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Serve them while nice and warm. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

ON THE BORDER'S CARNE ASADA TACOS (COPYCAT RECIPE)

Steps:

• For carne asada:.
• Marinate meat, then prepare ingredients for dressing, before grilling meat.
• Plan to have flatbread warmed as you are ready to serve meat.
• Marinate steaks in lime juice in a shallow glass dish for 1 minute.
• Next add garlic, crushed red chile, black pepper, and Mexican oregano.
• Marinate in refrigerator for at least 20 but no longer than 40 minutes.
• While marinating meat:.
• Combine all ingredients for Jalapeno Ranch Dressing in a 1 cup dish.
• Mix well and refrigerate to let flavors blend.
• Preheat oven to 170 degrees (or lowest heat setting).
• Grill meat to desired doneness
• Remove steaks from grill and let "rest" for 5 minutes.
• Before meat is about to be taken off grill or while it is resting, add 1/3-1/2 cup of cheese on each flatbread.
• Lay the cheese covered flatbreads directly onto middle oven rack and warm until cheese is melted.
• Once meat has rested, cut meat against the grain into thin strips.
• On each flatbread add desired amount of meat, 1-2 tablespoons jalapeno ranch dressing and about 1 T french fried onion strings.
• Enjoy!

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER ESSENTIALS: TACOS, SANS SHELLS

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. You could use mostly canned beans, boxed rice, and jarred taco sauce, but let me give you some recipes that will take this over the top: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/vegetable/south-of-the-border-essentials-refried-beans.html?r=1 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/rice-side/south-of-the-border-essentials-spanish-rice-ii.html?r=12 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/main-course-beef/slow-cooker-taco-meat-with-homemade-taco.html?r=7 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/south-of-the-border-essentials-amazing-taco-sauce.html?r=1
• 3. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 4. Add the refried beans to a plate and make into a nice round quarter-inch patty.
• 5. Add the rice and taco meat on top and make pretty.
• 6. Top with sour cream.
• 7. And you just must have some cheese.
• 8. PLATE/PRESENT
• 9. Serve with a fork, a margarita, and lots of love. Enjoy.
• 10. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER ESSENTIALS: FISH TACO SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. You will need a non-reactive (like glass) container to make and store this sauce.
• 3. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 4. Whisk all the ingredients together.
• 5. Cover and let rest in the fridge for an hour or two before use.
• 6. THE CABBAGE SLAW
• 7. Add some thinly sliced, and chopped cabbage to a bowl, put in the juice of one lime, some salt and pepper, and let rest until the cabbage begins to wilt... that is it.
• 8. PLATE/PRESENT
• 9. Use the sauce on your favorite tacos. Enjoy.
• 10. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.