Delicious and Tender Lengua Tacos: A Mexican Culinary Adventure

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Lengua?
3. Ingredients for Lengua
4. Cooking Lengua in an Instant Pot
5. Preparing the Tongue
6. Slicing and Dicing the Tongue
7. Adding Flavor with Bacon Fat
8. Crisping Tortillas in Bacon Fat
9. Assembling the Lengua Tacos
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In this episode of "That Savage Kitchen," we will be making a delicious and tender beef tongue dish known as "Lengua." Lengua is a traditional Mexican dish made with cow tongue, which is cooked until tender and then sliced and served in tacos. Today, we will be using an Instant Pot to speed up the cooking process and add convenience. So, if you're ready to embark on this flavorful journey, let's get started!

What is Lengua?

Lengua, which is Spanish for "tongue," is a dish made from beef tongue. Although it may sound unfamiliar or even intimidating to some, beef tongue is a tender and flavorful meat when cooked properly. Lengua is a traditional Mexican dish that has gained popularity for its unique taste and texture. The tongue is usually cooked until it becomes tender and then sliced into thin pieces. It is commonly served in tacos, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Ingredients for Lengua

To make Lengua, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 beef tongue
• 1/2 onion
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of peppercorn
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• 1 teaspoon of cloves
• 5 bay leaves
• Water

These simple ingredients come together to create a flavorful and tender beef tongue dish that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Let's move on to the cooking process!

Cooking Lengua in an Instant Pot

To cook Lengua, we will be using an Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that allows for quick and convenient cooking. Here's how to cook the beef tongue using an Instant Pot:

1. Start by adding the beef tongue, onion, salt, peppercorn, garlic cloves, beef bouillon cube, cloves, and bay leaves to the Instant Pot.
2. Add enough water to cover the tongue.
3. Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and ensure that the vent in the back is sealed.
4. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 40 minutes.
5. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 20 minutes.
6. After the pressure has been released, carefully open the lid of the Instant Pot.

By cooking the beef tongue in the Instant Pot, you not only save time but also infuse the meat with rich flavors. The pressure cooking process helps to tenderize the tongue, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Preparing the Tongue

Once the beef tongue has finished cooking in the Instant Pot, it's time to prepare it for serving. Follow these steps to prepare the tongue:

1. Place the cooked beef tongue on a cutting board.
2. Carefully peel off the skin from the tongue.
3. Remove any excess skin and clean up the tongue.
4. Cut the tongue in half for easier handling.

Removing the skin from the tongue is important as it can have a different texture that may not be as desirable. By peeling off the skin, you will be left with tender and flavorful meat ready to be sliced and diced.

Slicing and Dicing the Tongue

To achieve the desired texture for your Lengua, follow these steps for slicing and dicing the tongue:

1. Take one half of the cooked beef tongue and dice it into small cubes.
2. Once cubed, use a rocking motion with your knife to rough chop the cubes into smaller pieces.
3. Repeat the process with the other half of the tongue.

By dicing and chopping the tongue, you create bite-sized pieces that are perfect for filling tacos. The rough chop adds a rustic element to the dish, making each bite even more enjoyable.

Adding Flavor with Bacon Fat

To enhance the flavor of your Lengua, bacon fat can be used to add an extra layer of deliciousness. Here's how to incorporate bacon fat into the cooking process:

1. In a separate pan, heat up some bacon fat.
2. Add the diced and chopped beef tongue to the pan.
3. Allow the meat to sizzle and brown, creating crispy edges and added flavor.

The bacon fat adds richness and depth to the Lengua, creating a mouthwatering taste that will leave you craving more. The combination of flavors from the tongue and bacon fat is a match made in culinary heaven.

Crisping Tortillas in Bacon Fat

What's a taco without a crispy tortilla? To take your Lengua tacos to the next level, follow these steps to create crispy tortillas:

1. In the same pan with the bacon fat, add corn tortillas.
2. Allow the tortillas to crisp up, absorbing the flavors of the bacon fat.
3. Once crisp, remove the tortillas from the pan and set aside.

The crispy tortillas add a satisfying crunch to the Lengua tacos, creating a textural balance that complements the tender meat perfectly. With each bite, you'll enjoy a burst of flavors and textures that make this dish truly special.

Assembling the Lengua Tacos

Now that all the components are ready, it's time to assemble the Lengua tacos. Follow these steps to create your flavorful masterpiece:

1. Place a crispy tortilla on a plate.
2. Add a generous portion of the diced and chopped Lengua on top of the tortilla.
3. Garnish with fresh cilantro and onions.
4. Optional: Add salsa verde or your favorite toppings for an extra kick of flavor.

The combination of the tender Lengua, crispy tortilla, and fresh garnishes creates a harmonious balance of flavors and textures that will impress anyone who takes a bite. Enjoy this simple yet delicious meal that showcases the beauty of Mexican cuisine.

Conclusion

In this episode of "That Savage Kitchen," we embarked on a culinary adventure to make Lengua, a flavorful and tender beef tongue dish. By utilizing an Instant Pot, we were able to save time while preserving the rich flavors of the meat. With the addition of bacon fat, crispy tortillas, and fresh garnishes, we created mouthwatering Lengua tacos that are sure to satisfy any taco lover. So, grab your ingredients and get ready to delight your taste buds with this delicious and unique dish!

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Highlights

• Lengua is a traditional Mexican dish made with beef tongue, which is cooked until tender and served in tacos.
• Using an Instant Pot speeds up the cooking process and infuses the meat with rich flavors.
• By peeling off the skin, you're left with tender and flavorful tongue ready to be sliced and diced.
• Dicing and rough chopping the tongue creates bite-sized pieces with a rustic texture.
• Adding bacon fat enhances the flavor of the Lengua, creating a mouthwatering taste sensation.
• Crisping the tortillas in bacon fat adds a delightful crunch to the tacos.
• Assembling the Lengua tacos with fresh garnishes and toppings creates a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.

FAQ

Q: Is Lengua difficult to cook? A: While it may seem intimidating at first, cooking Lengua is relatively simple, especially when using an Instant Pot. The pressure cooking process helps to tenderize the meat, while the additional ingredients and flavors add complexity to the dish.

Q: Can I use other types of meat for Lengua? A: Traditional Lengua is made with beef tongue, but you can experiment with other meats if desired. However, keep in mind that the texture and flavors may vary.

Q: Are Lengua tacos spicy? A: Lengua tacos can be as spicy as you want them to be. You can add salsa verde or other spicy toppings to add heat to the dish. However, you can also enjoy Lengua tacos without any additional spiciness if preferred.

Q: Can I make Lengua ahead of time? A: Yes, you can make Lengua ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Simply reheat the meat before assembling the tacos for a quick and delicious meal.

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Resources:

• Instant Pot
• Salsa Verde Recipe