Goat Tacos Recipes

GOAT TACOS

Steps:

• Slit chiles lengthwise, then stem and seed (leave veins for heat). Heat a dry large heavy skillet (not nonstick) over medium heat until hot, then toast chiles in batches, opened flat, turning and pressing with tongs, until more pliable and slightly changed in color, about 30 seconds per batch.
• Transfer chiles to a bowl and soak in hot water until softened, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Cut a shallow X in bottom of each tomato and blanch in simmering water 20 seconds. Transfer with a slotted spoon to an ice bath to stop cooking. Peel tomatoes. Coarsely chop, reserving juice.
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Cut goat at joints to separate into pieces and put in a 3-quart shallow baking dish. Sprinkle all over with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• Drain chiles, discarding soaking water, and purée in a blender with tomatoes and reserved juice, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining ingredients except tortillas until very smooth, about 1 minute.
• Pour sauce over meat, turning to coat, then cover dish tightly with a double layer of foil and braise in oven until meat is very tender, 3 to 1/2 hours. Remove from oven and cool meat in liquid, uncovered, 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Coarsely shred meat, discarding bones, then mix into braising liquid in dish. Return to oven and cook, covered, until sauce is simmering, about 30 minutes more.
• Fifteen minutes before goat is done, make 2 stacks of tortillas and wrap each stack in foil, then heat in oven on rack alongside baking dish. Serve goat with warm tortillas and accompaniments.

BIRRIA QUESA TACOS

Steps:

• Heat sesame seeds, cumin, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves, and bay leaves in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant and the sesame seeds begin to brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Heat beef broth in a medium-sized pot and turn to a low simmer.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add guajillo, ancho, and chile de arbol peppers, turning occasionally. Remove the peppers once they have started to blister a bit, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Place the peppers in the pot of simmering broth. Cover and allow to simmer until the peppers are rehydrated and tender, about 20 minutes.
• Slice 3/4 of the onion into thick slices and finely dice the rest. Put the diced onion aside. Add the thick slices to the pot, along with the garlic, and cook until the onion is browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Heat remaining oil in the pot over medium-high heat, and add goat meat. Allow to brown on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the warmed spices, peppers and broth, onions, garlic, vinegar, salt, Oregano, and thyme into a blender. Allow to cool slightly before blending to prevent scalding yourself, about 5 minutes. Blend until very smooth.
• Add the blended sauce into the pot, and stir, scraping all the browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the meat is very tender, about 2 1/2 hours.
• Remove the meat from the sauce and allow to cool enough to shred. Shred the meat with your hands or with 2 forks. Stir in about 1/4 cup of the sauce. Blend the diced tomatoes until very smooth and add to the sauce.
• Working in batches, dip each tortilla in the pot of sauce and place in a hot pan. Add a bit of the meat mixture and a bit of cheese. Fold in half and brown on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour the remaining sauce into 4 small bowls. Serve the tacos and sauce with the reserved diced onion, lime wedges, and cilantro.
• Pour the remaining sauce into 4 small bowls. Serve the tacos and sauce with the reserved diced onion, lime wedges, and cilantro.

GOAT BARBACOA

Steps:

• For my goat preparation, I have prepared the goat in three ways: Roasted Leg, Seared Rack and the shoulder done in a traditional Barbacoa, which will serve as the sauce for the final, plated dish.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roast the onions and tomatillos on a baking sheet in the oven until soft. Roast the cascabel and guajillo chiles on a pan until toasted and aromatic. Put in a bowl, add the water, and re-hydrate until soft. Put the tomatillo, onion, chiles, wine, vinegar, garlic, and oregano in a blender and blend to form a paste. Spread the paste evenly on the meat and season the meat with the salt. Set the meat in a baking pan and put the bay leaves and avocado leaves, if using, on top.
• Cover with foil and bake until very tender and falling off of the bone, about 4 hours.
• Remove most of the fat from the pan and discard the bay and avocado leaves. Reserve any remaining liquids for Goat Rack and Leg recipe.
• To serve, cut the shoulder into 3- to 4-ounce portions. Reserve the remaining meat and shred for the best tacos you will ever eat.