Change of Pace

[RebelSS]

OK....It's time for a change of pace....I've grilled, smoked, basted, bbq'd and steamed everything I can think of. T-storms for the rest of the week (again) so, a little variety for indoor cooking. What do you like for those change of pace meals? I like "Mexican", but hate to call it that, because the way most of us cook it here it is actually "American Faux Mexican".

I've combined the best of both, authentic, that I learned while cooking in my Uncles Mexican retaurant growing up, and "Americanized', from my cousin, who lives in Santa Fe, who cooks "Tex-mex". So...that's what's on the menu for tomorrow, and how I learned to make them.

I have to laugh when I see these commercials on TV for "Mexican" fast-food restaurants, with what they use and how they make the food. Guess I should try one sometime, but I've never been to any fast food mexican place in my life..no kidding.

I sometimes cheat and just season 85% lean ground chuck; if ya do use hamburger, don't go any more lean than 85%, it'll be too dry for the tacos. I usually cook round steak or pork steak in oil with onions, garlic, cilantro, smoked chipotle pepper and diced green chiles, then shred it by hand for the tacos. You can use hamburger with the Taco seasoning envelopes which is easier.

Here's how I was taught to make the food in the restaurant:

Tacos (The proper "American way") The way I was taught way back in the Summer of '72....

And it HAD to be done in this order or you heard about it....

Heat a stone ground yellow corn shell; fill with 3/4" (one thumb width)of meat; fill shell to halfway with coarse shredded lettuce; line top of lettuce with diced tomatos; squirt green chile sauce on top of tomatos; one light layer of lettuce, then sprinkle about 1 Tbsp sharp cheddar. Top with one tomato chunk in center.

Pintos

Cook pinto beans in water, then mash and mix with onions, cilantro, red pepper, and green chilis until mixture is consistency of pudding.

Beef Burrito

Spread mashed pinto beans on 1/4 of warm flour tortilla closest to you. Put layer of shredded meat across beans. Put layer of lettuce on top of this. Lay Tomatos across tortilla in front of meat/lettuce. Sprinkle onions and sharp cheddar on top of tomatos. In front of this (you should now be halfway across tortilla) lay a line of red & green chile sauce. Put your two middle fingers under torilla sides; thumbs under back; and begin to roll as your two little fingers flip far ends in. You should end up with a nice, tight, layered burrito.

Cheese Quesadilla

Spread green or red chile sauce evenly over warm flour tortilla. Spread sharp cheddar on top of sauce, sprinkle with finely chopped sweet onion. (Yellow) Fold in half or roll up; stick under broiler for a minute or so until just browning and cheese is melted.

Tostada

Spread mashed pinto beans on corn tostada shell; top with lettuce, tomatos, sharp cheddar, and diced onion. May be put under broiler QUICKLY until cheese melts. (Sunny tostada)

Again, this is more for "Entertainment purposes"....this is so basic everyone has their own way.

I also like to run a line of sour cream across the tail end of my burrito, and once in a while throw in some diced avocados.

[thirdeye]

You're right about the Americanization of a lot of things. Or just how we take things to excess... like a pizza with 22 toppings, or a triple burger, or deep fried Twinkies. Well, I take it you've been into Mexico and seen how the cuisine is way different than a Taco Bell menu, but let's face it we are kind of caught in the middle from a cultural point of view. So, how about some crossover things like green chili, fish tacos, or tamales? They are easy too.

[RebelSS]

Ooooh...that green chile looks good!!! So does everything else...I use Desert Gardens of Albuquerque, NM, green chile stew mix...and add cilantro and onion braised pork chunks. They have some great products, and their black bean dip is heaven. Never been able to bring myself to eat a fish "taco", but I have another cousin who lives in Southern California and lives on the things. I told him I'll eat one when he tries Lutefisk. I'll take my fish beer battered, please!!!