Mains
Mexican
MexicanBeef Tacos
Mexican-inspired beef tacos served three ways. Basic uses a value mince and shop seasoning, while Ultimate slow-braises chuck and builds fresh salsa and pickles from scratch.
Nut-free
Ultimate version
Slow-braised chuck with chipotle, fresh salsa, pickled onions and crema.
Per serving£8.40
Total cost£16.80
Time3 hr 30 min
Ingredients for 2
- Braise
- 500 g beef chuck , cut into chunks
- 2 chipotle chillies in adobo , chopped
- 1 onion , quartered
- 3 cloves garlic
- 250 ml beef stock
- 1 tsp ground cumin , toasted
- Pickled onions
- 1 red onion , finely sliced
- 50 ml lime juice
- Salsa
- 2 ripe tomatoes , diced
- 20 g fresh coriander , chopped
- To serve
- 8 soft corn tortillas
- 80 ml soured cream
Method
- Sear the chuck in a hot casserole until deeply browned all over.
- Add the onion, garlic, chipotle, cumin and stock, cover and braise at 150C for 3 hours until shreddable.
- Meanwhile steep the sliced red onion in lime juice with a pinch of salt to pickle.
- Mix the tomatoes and coriander with lime and salt to make a fresh salsa.
- Shred the beef and reduce its braising liquor to a glossy sauce, then fold back in.
- Char the tortillas over a flame and pile with beef, salsa, pickled onion and a drizzle of soured cream.
Equipment
The three ways, side by side
Budget
Value mince, a sachet of taco seasoning and hard shells.
Better
Better mince, homemade spice mix and soft tortillas with lime.
Ultimate
Slow-braised chuck with chipotle, fresh salsa, pickled onions and crema.
