Brisket Taco Recipe aka Tacos de Pecho de Res al estilo Judio

“If he only left us with Brisket tacos, dayenu!” I noticed many visitors to the blog this past week came via the key words “brisket tacos,” and I feel obligated now to give my readers what they came searching for. I don’t think corn tortillas are allowed at a seder so this recipe is for those who live on the fringe.

I use a slow cooker for the brisket, although it takes longer, the wait is well worth it. The oven leaves the brisket dry.

Tools

• Electric Slow Cooker
• Cast iron skillet (for tortillas)
• Regular skillet

Ingredients

• 1 (3-pound) beef brisket, trimmed
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Vegetable or Olive oil
• ¼ cup water
• 2 cups vertically sliced onion (about 1 large)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped parsnip (about 2)
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (12-ounce) bottle light beer (Pacifico, Corona, Sol)
• Corn tortillas

Preparation

Rub brisket with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, with a napkin coat pan with oil. Add brisket to pan; cook 10 minutes, browning on all sides.

Remove brisket from the pan. Add 1/4 cup water to pan, stirring to loosen browned bits (yummy). Add onion and parsnip; sauté 5 minutes or until tender.

Place onion mixture, vinegar, bay leaf, and beer in a large electric slow cooker. Place brisket on top of onion mixture. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours (trust me it’s worth the wait).

Cut brisket diagonally across the grain into thin slices.

Now, heat iron skillet. Lightly brush tortillas with oil on both sides. Heat and turn over a few times until warm. Add brisket to the tortillas and add tomatillo salsa. I’d give you my own recipe but I’ll leave that for another day.

Tehuitzingo Deli & Grocery 695 10th Ave. New York, NY 10039 between 47th and 48th Street (Hell’s Kitchen) 212.397.5956

The New York Times rated them, the Daily News rated them too, even Time Out New York chimed in, but none of that matters unless Taco NYC gets into the mix. Tehuitzingo Deli is what living in NYC is all about, finding hidden gems in the least expected places. I first made my way to this Hell’s Kitchen grocery/deli three years ago; I was surprised to find there was a kitchen in the back that served tacos, tortas, quesadillas, pozole, and breakfast. I remember it being good, and in due time I came back. Their portions are healthy, and if you want to go native you should try their weekend specials, beef tripe soup or pozole.

Hands down Tehuitzingo gets my endorsement, it is genuinely good without trying. They have a small variety of salsas, but none-the-less delicious. The tortillas don't seem dry and the steak has the perfect balance of tasty "umpf!"

What to get: Steak taco, barbacoa taco (goat), Flor de Calabaza (squash flower) quesadilla, quesillo quesadilla. I think anything would be good here but make sure you do order a steak taco.

Open 8:00 – 12pm seven days a week, their kitchen closes at 11:30pm!!!!

Tacos range from $2.50 to $3.00 each. Drop some money in the juke box and make sure you play Alejandro Fernandez, the cooks will love you.




View Larger Map

This Passover cook a Mexican Seder!

¡ORALE! For all my Jewish audience, I have a treat for you. The New York Times published a story last year on PATRICIA JINICH, who teaches regional Mexican cooking at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington DC. In the article she shares with readers a couple of recipes for the passover holiday with a Mexican acento. Maybe later I'll share my brisket taco recipe. To read article click here.

Manolo’s Restaurant 42-26 Greenpoint Ave. Queens, NY 11104 (Sunnyside) 718-383-1110 corner of 47th Street and Greenpoint Ave.

Back in Queens yo, and Manolo’s is definitely representing. I’ll admit from the look of Manolo’s exterior I was a bit apprehensive about going in; I thought this was going to be another faux Mexican experience. I was pleasantly surprised to find they serve caldo de res (beef soup), huaraches, quesadillas, tostadas, chicken pipián (pumpkin seed sauce), mole enchiladas, and of course tacos.

Now, lets get down to business. I ordered a steak and lengua taco. How are the tacos? Good, tortilla was not too dry and not too greasy. They add a little guacamole to each taco, reminded me of Tacos Xochimilco in Sunset Park; the guacamole is always a nice touch. The steak was nicely chopped and moist, I couldn’t tell what kind of cut of meat they use. Regarding the lengua taco, I am very picky with this taco and it was okay, nothing outstanding but okay. I don’t think Poblanos are known for their tacos de lengua.

- Price: Tacos are $2.50 each.
- Directions: Take the 7 train to 46th street, walk to 47th street and make a right, walk one block.
- Open from 11am to midnight everyday.



View Larger Map

Juquilita Bakery & Deli 50-18 Roosevelt Ave. Queens, NY 11377 (347) 484-3959 corner of 51st street (Woodside)

After getting off at the wrong subway stop, I kept walking west on Roosevelt, a pilgrimage of sorts. I walked by numerous Irish pubs, I looked to my left and I saw Juquilita bakery, I had a feeling I was in for something good. Its name comes from La Virgin de Juquila in Juquila, Oaxaca. Its owners, a husband and wife team hail from Guerrero and Puebla, after working for the man for several years they decided to open up their own business. Not only a bakery but they serve breakfast and antojitos like tacos, tortas, quesadillas, cemitas, tostadas and coffee.

I ordered two tacos at $2 each, they are healthy portions so two is enough. They serve a good decent taco, but the thing to order here is their tortas. I know this is a taco blog, but the bread here is fresh and yummy making the torta that much better.

Summary: Good and cheap Mexican food (we like).

Directions: 7 Train to 52nd street. Walk west on Roosevelt Ave. corner of 51st street and Roosevelt Ave. Not very far from Midtown.

View Larger Map

Taco Eating Contest At Barrio 210 7th Ave. between 2nd and 3rd streets Park Slope

You know you want to see this! Barrio's inaugural event is happening this Thursday, March 18th starting at 7pm. What's at stake here, besides pride and honor, there's a $100 gift certificate. Details are below.

What: Taco eating contest.

Tacos served: It's a surprise but a vegetarian option is available if the contestant lets them know in advance.

When: This Thursday, March 18th, 7pm (sign up now).

Where: Barrio 210 7th Ave. between 2nd and 3rd streets in Park Slope (Brooklyn) 718-965-4000

To reserve a spot, e-mail request@barriofoods.com


View Larger Map

La Lucha Tacos & Boutique 147 Avenue A New York, NY 10009 (212) 260-0235 (between 9th and 10th Street)

The owners of this taqueria hail from Mexico City and they strived to serve street style tacos a la Mexico City, and their presentation nails it. Not your typical taqueria, the place is adorn with images of Mexican wrestling icons, they stay true to my own philosophy of “naco es chido,” which can be interpreted as trashy kitsch is cool. The ambience as Mrs. Tizoc Schwartz (aka Xochitl Goldberg) puts it, is “cute.” They’ve really paid attention to detail.

And now for the food, their steak taco is good but the thing to get here is their three-taco-plate, I went with “El Santo,” named after the godfather of modern Mexican wrestling. El Santo is three different types of meat, cecina, chorizo, and chicharrón; it is definitely worthy of its prize fighting name. I inhaled all three tacos in less than 3 minutes and washed it down with some horchata. Oh, leave room for dessert, we went with a slice of tres leches cake, it’s sooooooo good I thought I was on crack!

La Lucha is located on Avenue A between 9th and 10th, across the street from Tompkins Square Park.

During weekends they are open for brunch and they serve chilaquiles and pozole!!!!!


View Larger Map