Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Real Good Tacos

Lengua.  Tongue.  We've done pig.  We've done veal.  This is beef.  From Millgate.

For me, tacos de lengua are enjoyable, but definitely not my favorite.  All the times I've had them the tongue was in little chunks, kind of like this.  There's nothing wrong with that, it's just that given the choice I'll usually go with al pastor or carnitas if they're available.  So when I made these I simmered the tongue for a real long time, resulting in meat with a pulled/rillette texture.  Not by the book tacos de lengua, but it's preferable to me.

Everyone that tried these loved them.  It's like a really rich brisket taco.  And there's no funkiness--more muscle meat with no organ meat thing going on.

I loosely followed this recipe, but simmered for way longer than instructed.  I also watched this video (cute little couple right there), and this one (a little too earnest for my liking).  Toppings were onion, cilantro, and nice hecho en Mexico jarred salsa from Narrin's.

Great nose to tail eating with a super inexpensive cut of meat.  As for the grossness factor, I don't see how tongue is any grosser than any other part of the animal.  At least once the taste buds are peeled off.

Tortillas were from La Bamba Tortilleria.  I'd love to love them, but it's hard.  Starting with maseca isn't helping anyone.  Can we get some nixtamal going on?  Please?  In the meantime, they're better than what's in most grocery stores around here.

8 comments:

Christo Gonzales said...

tacos are my go to favorite and while I like tacos made from pigs ears the best this beef would be right up there...

steve said...

I was going to comment that you were being too critical, but after review it appears that my simple caveman brain cannot comprehend all of the issues here. We need to discuss this sometime over a beer or glass of wine so that I can understand the problem. But for now I'm just happy the someone is making tortillas in town.

The CFT said...

DB, thanks for the comment. I like your blog.

Steve, check out the comments (after the gushing first few) here: http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/06/how-to-make-tortillas.html
It explains everything. I'm still down for that beer or wine though.

The CFT said...

and a more heady take on things:
http://www.rachellaudan.com/2009/07/hard-choices-tortillas-de-maiz-or-tortillas-de-maseca.html

Ferestre Termopan said...

I love beef in every possible combination. But I have to say that nothing is better than beef tacos. Going to try this combination of recipes and hope for the best. Fingers crossed! By the way, guess what I’m having for dinner tonight?

Laura said...

Lengua tacos are my mom's favorite--the ones I have had with her have always been super tender. Interesting. She is mad at me bc I have a tongue sitting in my freezer. I also have the heart, and have yet to decide what to do with either. This looks like a great way to start.

The CFT said...

A tongue in the freezer is nothing to get upset about.

Carmina said...

Been looking another variation for this dish and finally found it, i'll try this one.