Tacos @ Home

I love finding out how different chefs interpret the same dish. Something as simple as tacos are made around the world in restaurants and in the home. Here are two great recipes that interpret how to make tacos differently and deliciously in your own kitchen!

I love this Carnitas recipe because it is well illustrated  and straight forward including alot of ingredients I already owed.

http://i.imgur.com/dxwRT.jpg 

Here is an Alton Brown recipe that is simple and easy!


I love this Alton recipe because he makes a reduced stew, which is not a traditional way of cooking the taco meat. 

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup peanut oil
• 12 (6-inch) yellow corn tortillas
• Kosher, for seasoning, plus 1 teaspoon for beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 16 ounces ground sirloin
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 recipe Taco Potion #19, recipe follows
• 2/3 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 6 ounces panela cheese, crumbled
• 12 pickled jalapeno slices
• 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, optional
• 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped, optional
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, optional
• Special equipment: heavy duty aluminum foil

Taco Potion #19:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Put all of the ingredients in a small jar and shake to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Directions

Make a taco mold by folding a 5-foot long piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil into a block that is approximately 8 inches long, 4 inches high and 2 inches deep, forming a shape to mold the taco. Set aside.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Heat the peanut oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer, about 5 minutes. Adjust the heat to maintain the temperature.

Shape 1 tortilla around the aluminum foil mold, forming a taco shape. Use tongs to hold up the sides against the mold and put the bottom of the tortilla into the hot oil and fry for 20 seconds. Lay 1 side of the tortilla down in the hot oil and fry for 30 seconds. Flip the tortilla over and fry for an additional 30 seconds. Remove the taco shell to a cooling rack set over a newspaper lined half sheet pan and cool for 30 seconds before removing the mold. Sprinkle the hot tortillas with kosher salt, to taste. Repeat frying procedure with the remaining tortillas. Keep the taco shells warm in the heated oven while preparing the filling.

Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil from the skillet and return to medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook until softened and lightly browned around the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground meat, 1 teaspoon salt, and garlic. Cook until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to break up the meat. Add Taco Potion and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until sauce is slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.

Assemble each taco with meat mixture, panela, jalapeno slices, lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro. Serve immediately.