Lamb Barbacoa Tacos Recipes

LAMB BARBACOA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325F.
• Score the fat on the lamb (see photos) Generously season all sides of the lamb shoulder with salt. Set on counter while you make the marinade.
• To make the marinade, de-stem the dried chilies, break them in half and discard the seeds ( you don't need to remove every single one, a few strays are OK). Break the chilies apart into smaller pieces and add to the blender ( dry) with the remaining ingredients. Blend until very smooth, for a full minute.
• Heat a skillet or dutch oven to medium-high heat and add oil. Sear the salted lamb shoulder, patiently browning each side to create a deep colored crust. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! ( It is the secret to sealing in the juices and creating flavor!)
• Once all sides are seared, place lamb shoulder in the dutch oven. Nestle the onion and orange slices all around it along with bay leaves. Pour the marinade over top and shake the pan to get the marinade to the bottom.
• Cover tightly and bake in a 325F oven for 3½-4 ½ hours. See notes on timing!
• Roast is done when meat pulls apart easily. Pull the meat off the bones and discard any fat. Tear into smaller pieces and place into an oven proof serving dish. Strain 1-2 cups of the marinade and pour over the meat keeping it moist. Taste the lamb and adjust salt and heat. If it tastes bland add salt.
• Keep warm in oven until ready to serve. I like to leave this uncovered so the meat gets a little crispy on the top. Garnish with onions and cilantro if you like.

TACOS DORADOS DE BARBACOA

Steps:

• To make the barbacoa marinade, put all the dried chillies in a bowl with 250ml hot water and leave to rehydrate for 12 hrs. Once soft, drain the chillies into a jug or bowl, reserving the soaking water. Remove the stems. Pour the reserved water into a blender and add the chillies and the garlic. Blend until smooth. Add the salt, balsamic vinegar and avocado leaves and blend again until smooth. Gradually add the grapeseed oil, with the blender running on a low speed, until the sauce emulsifies. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly - the marinade should be on the salty side.
• Pat the lamb shanks dry with kitchen towel and lightly score with a sharp knife. Put the meat in a bowl and coat thickly in the barbacoa marinade. Cover and chill for 12 hrs.
• Wipe the banana leaves and quickly heat in a non-stick pan, or under the grill, until they change colour and turn shiny. Arrange in the bottom of a large, deep roasting tray in a few layers, leaving enough for the sides. You will use them to wrap around the shanks.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the stock, garlic, onions and tomatoes in the bottom of the roasting tray on top of the banana leaves. Put the marinated lamb on top, then wrap tightly in the remaining banana leaves. Cover with two layers of foil to seal the meat in well - this will help keep in all the steam. There should be no holes, gaps or tears in the foil. Cook for 4 hrs.
• Remove the foil and banana leaves covering the meat. Carefully move the lamb onto a tray and leave to cool completely. Strain the remaining stock into a large pot, and put over a high heat to bring to the boil. Reduce to a medium heat and cook the liquid until it has reduced by a third. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly, adding more dry chillies for a spicier broth.
• Meanwhile, make the avocado salsa. Whizz all ingredients except the avocado in a blender with 1 tsp salt until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning and spiciness if needed, then add the avocado and blend again until smooth.
• Shred the cooled meat and mix with a little bit of the cooking juices. Lightly fry the corn tortillas for a few seconds on each side in a dry non-stick pan to make them soft and malleable. Spoon some of the meat into the middle of each tortilla, then roll into a cigar shape. Pin each top and bottom with the toothpicks to hold them together.
• Fry the tacos in a little more oil for 2-3 mins, or until crisp. You may have to do this in batches. Put the cooked rolls onto a plate lined with kitchen paper whilst you finish frying the rest. To serve, arrange them on a plate and top with the Mexican crema or soured cream, the queso fresco or feta and the avocado salsa, finishing with the shredded lettuce.

LAMB BARBACOA CARNITAS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large frying pan. Add the lamb and sear on all sides.
• Add the adobo paste, chipotle paste, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, oregano, stock, salt, pepper, cloves and lime juice to the pan.
• Bring to the boil, then turn off the heat and transfer to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 6 hours (see tip below for cooking in the oven).
• Once cooked, remove the lamb from the slow cooker.
• Place on a board and shred the meat using two forks. Discard the bones.
• Heat the remaining 2 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Fry the shredded lamb for 3-4 minutes, turning every minute or so, until crisp and golden.
• Divide the meat between warmed tacos and drizzle on some of the sauce from the slow cooker.
• Top with red onion, fresh coriander, jalapenos, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream and guacamole.
• Serve with wedges of lime.

LAMB BARBACOA TACOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven 350 degrees F.
• Seed the ancho chiles and boil them in water. Add them to a heavy-duty blender to blend.
• Remove the lamb from the fridge and let sit out for 15 to 20 minutes. Score the fat with a sharp knife, creating a crisscross pattern. Rub thoroughly with salt and pepper, then some of the ancho liquid and chipotle chiles. Place celery, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, thyme, oregano, bay leaves and 1 onion in a roasting pan along with the beer, stock and chile powder. Put a roasting rack on top of the vegetables and liquid and place the lamb in the roasting pan.
• Roast until the lamb starts to turn deep brown, approximately 4 hours. Cover tightly with foil and continue to roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part (do not touch bone) registers 180 degrees F. Let stand for 20 to 30 minutes to cool. Once cool enough to handle, remove the roast from the roasting pan and begin to shred all of the meat off to a bowl with forks and your fingers.
• Strain the liquid from the roasting pan into a blender and blend thoroughly until smooth (this is what I call lamb butter). Pour over the lamb and mix together, adding some water if it becomes too thick.
• Chop your cilantro and remaining onion and mix together in a small bowl.
• Serve the lamb on corn tortillas with homemade Salsa. Top with cilantro-onion mixture, Cotija and radish. Enjoy.
• Heat a grill for cooking at medium heat. Grill or roast the garlic, tomatillos, tomatoes and onions, turning occasionally, until charred. Let cool.
• Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium pot over medium heat, then add garlic, tomatillos, tomatoes, onions, chiles de arbol, anchos, guajillos, cilantro and sugar and boil together for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, and then drop into a blender and blend until pureed, but a little bit chunky. Season to taste.

LAMB TACOS (BARBACOA STYLE)

Steps:

• Rehydrate the anchos and chipotles in a bowl and cover with hot, boiling water. Soak the chiles until they are soft, about 20 minutes.
• Add the chiles, paprika, oregano, cinnamon and garlic to a food processor. Pour in the oil and process until smooth. If the puree is too thick, add a tablespoon or 2 of the chile soaking liquid to thin to desired consistency.
• Place the lamb in a roasting dish and sprinkle all over with salt and pepper. Pour the puree on top, cover and marinate in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Thaw the banana leaves (if frozen) by running them under warm water. Line a turkey roaster or braising dish with the banana leaves, slightly overlapping them on one another.
• Remove the lamb from the marinade and place on the banana leaves. Wrap up the lamb with the banana leaves, tucking in the edges so it is completely covered. Add 1 1/2 cups water to the baking dish, then cover the entire pan with aluminum foil.
• Bake until the meat is tender and falling apart, 4 hours. Remove the foil and open the banana leaves. Shred the lamb with a fork and season with salt and lime juice. Serve with the warm flour tortillas, cilantro leaves, queso fresco, radishes and onions and pair with the Malbec.