Mexican > Tacos

Lechuguilla Tacos Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 8-10 corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 lime, cut into wedges

Special equipment needed:
- Large skillet
- Tongs

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
4. Add the ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet and stir to combine.
5. Add the tomato sauce and water to the skillet and stir to combine.
6. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
7. While the beef mixture is simmering, heat the corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds on each side.
8. To assemble the tacos, spoon the beef mixture onto the tortillas and top with crumbled queso fresco and chopped cilantro.
9. Serve with lime wedges on the side.


- Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 25 minutes
Temperature:
- Medium-high heat for cooking the beef mixture
- Medium heat for heating the tortillas
Serving size:
- 4-5 servings

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 22g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for the ground beef.
- Any type of cheese can be substituted for the queso fresco.

Variations:
- Add diced tomatoes or jalapeños to the beef mixture for extra flavor.
- Top the tacos with sliced avocado or guacamole for a creamy texture.

Tips and tricks:
- Use tongs to heat the tortillas in the skillet to prevent them from breaking.
- Double the recipe to have leftovers for the next day.

Storage instructions:
- Store any leftover beef mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- Reheat the beef mixture in a skillet over low heat until warmed through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the tacos on a platter with the lime wedges arranged around the edges.

Garnishes:
- Chopped fresh cilantro and crumbled queso fresco make great garnishes for these tacos.

Pairings:
- Serve these tacos with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans for a complete meal.

Suggested side dishes:
- Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- Grilled corn on the cob

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the beef mixture is too dry, add a little more water to the skillet.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure the ground beef is cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure it is safe to eat.

Food history:
- Lechuguilla is a type of agave plant that is native to Mexico and used to make tequila and mezcal.

Flavor profiles:
- These tacos have a savory and slightly spicy flavor from the beef mixture, with a creamy and tangy flavor from the queso fresco and lime wedges.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve these tacos with a cold Mexican beer or a margarita for a refreshing drink to balance out the spicy flavors.

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Region: Mexican

Taste: Savory, Spicy, Tangy, Herbal, Aromatic