Pulled Beef Tacos

I made this one up and it turned out well. I’ve been asked for the recipe, so here is what I did, from memory.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 4 hours +

Serves: 6+

Ingredients

For the beef

1.5kg beef brisket

2tsp chili powder

3tsp smoked paprika

2tsp cumin powder

1tsp garlic powder

1tsp dried oregano

1tsp onion granules

1 onion, cut into wedges

500ml beef stock

400g tin of chopped tomatoes

To serve

Small or medium corn tortillas

Shredded iceberg lettuce

Sour cream

Homemade guacamole (recipe coming soon)

Grated cheese

Method

  1. Mix the spices together in a bowl
  2. Lay out a sheet of clingfilm big enough to wrap the brisket in
  3. Place the brisket in the centre
  4. Cover in the spice mixture, covering as much of the brisket as possible
  5. Wrap the brisket in the clingfilm, and refrigerate, preferably overnight.
  6. Pre-heat the oven to 140°C
  7. Lay the onion wedges in the bottom of a casserole dish
  8. Place the brisket on top of the onions
  9. Pour over the beef stock and tomatoes
  10. Place in the oven for at least 3 hours, preferably longer
  11. Remove the dish from the oven, and transfer the brisket to a carving tray or similar. Roughly carve the brisket into pieces. It should just fall apart
  12. Place the carved brisket back into the casserole dish and mix. Return to the oven for 30 minutes.

Serving suggestions

Spread a tortilla with some sour cream and guacamole. Place a spoon of the brisket (and sauce) down the centre. Sprinkle some cheese over and finally add some shredded iceberg lettuce. Overlap the two sides of the tortilla and turn over so it is resting on the seam (this will help it stay together). Serve with green beans or re-fried beans.

Alternatively…

This goes just as well with rice or lightly salted tortilla chips, and can also be frozen.

If you prefer a little more heat, add some sliced chilies before cooking.

Garlic cloves can be used instead of the powder, if you prefer. If using, add at the same time as the onions.

Whilst this could be done in a slow cooker, the results are best when done in the oven.

To drink

A nice cold Cerveza with a wedge of lime for the beer drinkers, or a glass of Rioja for the wine drinkers.

Tim Hayward