Puffy Tacos With Bison Chili Recipes

PUFFY TACOS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. When the dough is consistent begin rolling dough balls about the size of a ping pong ball. Using a tortilla press that is lined in a thick plastic, press out the dough. You use the plastic (it can be a ziploc bag that has been cut) so that the dough does not stick to the tortilla press. Meanwhile have a deep pot filled with cooking oil approximately 2 inches high and heated to 250 degrees. Drop the flat tortilla in the hot oil and using a metal spatula repeatedly douse with the oil. You will see that it will begin to puff up. Flip it over and using the spatula make an indention in the middle of the tortilla to forma taco shape. Remove from oil and allow to drain. Fill with ground meat, shredded chicken, guacamole, bean and cheese or your favorite filling. Top with shredded lettuce and diced tomato.
• Caution; Be very careful when making these. Make sure there is proper ventilation and do not allow the oil to get too hot. Also, if you can't get your hands on a tortilla press then use a clean counter. You will still need the plastic so that the dough does not stick to the counter. Place your dough ball on the plastic and cover with more plastic and then using something heavy to press it out.

PUFFY TACOS

Steps:

• For the taco shells: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, heat 3 inches oil to 375 degrees F or preheat your fryer to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• Mix the masa harina and 1 teaspoon salt together in medium bowl. Add the warm water and combine until it comes together, about 30 seconds. Cover the dough and let rest for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball. Keep covered and work quickly.
• Cut two 8-inch squares of parchment and line a tortilla press. Add a dough ball, then top with the other piece of parchment and press into disc, 5- to 6-inches in diameter.
• Carefully remove the tortilla and place in the hot oil. Fry the tortilla until it begins to puff, 25 to 30 seconds, then flip the tortilla, cooking another 25 to 30 seconds. Press down in the center of the tortilla with a metal spatula to form a taco shell, submerging the tortilla completely. Fry until golden brown and the taco shell holds its shape, another 30 to 45 seconds.
• Let drain on a wire rack lined baking sheet, then season with salt and reserve. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• For the filling: Heat a 12-inch cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring to break up; sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook the ground beef fully, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and onion, stirring to prevent burning. Meanwhile, combine the cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano and cayenne in a bowl, stirring to combine. Once the garlic and onion begin to turn translucent, about 1 minute, add the seasoning mixture and stir to combine. Add the crushed tomatoes to the same bowl and stir to combine, collecting any remaining spices, then add to the pan. Stir together until the beef is coated and allow to simmer until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Equally divide the taco meat into the puffy taco shells. Add equal amounts lettuce, sour cream and pico de gallo to each taco. Grate Cheddar over each taco with a rasp grater. Serve with lime wedges.

PUFFY TACOS WITH PICADILLO FILLING

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add half the beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned on all sides but not completely cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, leaving as much fat in the skillet as possible. Repeat with the remaining beef.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic, carrots, jalapeno, onions, poblano, potato, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender but not browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Clear a space in the pan and add the tomato paste, chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir to bring the whole mixture together, then add the stock and reserved beef along with any accumulated juices to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from the bottom, until the liquid has evaporated, about 20 minutes. If necessary, season with salt and pepper.
• While the picadillo is cooking, pour oil into a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot to come 3 inches up the sides and fit with a deep-fry thermometer. Heat over high heat until the thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
• Holding a tortilla perpendicular to the oil near the edge of the pot, carefully lower into the oil so that the tortilla slides to the bottom (this method will fry and seal both sides of the tortilla, allowing steam to inflate-or "puff"-the tortilla like a balloon). After a few seconds, the puffy tortilla will float to the surface; turn it over and push the top edge of a metal spatula (a fish spatula works best) into the center of the tortilla, bending it into a taco shape, and press it below the oil's surface. Hold it in place and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 1 minute. Invert the taco shell onto paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• Spoon the beef picadillo into the puffy taco shells. Top with lettuce, salsa, cheese, cilantro and onion. Serve with lime wedges.

YUCATAN CHICKEN PUFFY TACOS WITH PEANUT-RED CHILI BBQ SAUCE AND RED CABBAGE SLAW

Steps:

• Whisk together orange and lime juices, chili and garlic in a shallow baking dish, add the chicken thighs, turn to coat and marinate 1 to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• Preheat grill to high or grill pan over high heat. Remove thighs from the marinade and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until just cooked through. Brush with some of the peanut sauce during the last few minutes of grilling.
• Place tacos, chicken, peanut-red chili sauce, red cabbage slaw and relish in bowls and on serving platters and serve.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan. Add the onions and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for an additional 30 to 40 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Transfer the mixture to a food processor and puree until smooth, season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour into a bowl and allow to cool at room temperature. Sauce will keep for 1 week in the refrigerator stored in a tightly sealed container.
• Heat the oil in medium saucepan over medium heat; add the ginger and cook until soft. Increase heat to high, add the BBQ sauce and chicken stock and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half.
• Whisk in the soy sauce and peanut butter and cook for 5 to 7 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place cabbage and onion in a large bowl. Whisk together the vinegar, orange juice, oil and honey and pour over the cabbage. Add the cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with mint. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
• Combine the masa mix, salt and warm water in a large bowl and mix until a smooth dough forms. Pull off pieces of dough and roll them into balls about the size of a ping pong ball.
• Cut a quart size resealable plastic bag open down both sides, to form a rectangle. Use the bag to line the tortilla press as you shape the tortillas so they do not stick: Lay 1 side of the plastic over the bottom of the press. Place a ball of dough in the center, and fold the other side of the plastic over the dough. Shut the top of the tortilla and press firmly down on the dough to shape the tortilla.
• Meanwhile, pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large deep pot and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Drop a tortilla into the hot oil and, using a metal spatula, repeatedly douse the tortilla with the hot oil until it begins to puff up. Flip it over and, using the spatula, make an indentation in the center of the tortilla to form a taco shape. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Fill each taco with 2 tablespoons of shredded chicken, guacamole, beans and cheese or your favorite filling.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl just before serving.

BISON TACOS

Steps:

• For the slaw: In a bowl, blend the vinegar and wasabi, and then add the cabbage and onions. Allow this mixture to marinate, or soak, for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. This marinating will soften the cabbage and onions without cooking, thus preserving the nutrients of the vegetables. Once marinated, we will hold the slaw until building the tacos.
• For the dressing: Slice the avocado in half, remove the seed and scoop the "meat" of the avocado into a small mixing bowl. Next, with a spoon, mash the avocado until smooth. Add the sambal, tomato, cilantro and salt to taste. Mix well, then cover and hold until serving.
• For the bison: Warm the pulled meat with the stock in a saucepan over medium-high heat until warmed. Once warm, remove from the heat, discard any remaining liquid and keep the meat warm to build the tacos. Construction: Drain the cabbage from the marinade and add 1 tablespoon slaw to each tortilla. Then add the bison and finish with 1 tablespoon tomato avocado dressing.

PUFFY TACOS WITH BISON CHILI

Steps:

• TO MAKE THE BISON CHILI: Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven set over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute more. Add the bison, along with the poblano and jalapeño chiles, cumin, coriander, ground chiles, chili powder, the 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper and cook until the meat is lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, beer, and tequila, bring to a simmer still over medium heat, and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small heavy-bottomed skillet set over medium heat, stir together the fish fry seasoning or corn flour and butter and cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes. Stir the butter mixture into the chili and cook for about 5 minutes, until it thickens slightly. Keep warm until ready to serve.
• TO MAKE THE PUFFY TACOS: Combine the masa mix, the 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the 2 1/4 cups warm water in a large bowl; mix with your hands until a smooth dough forms. Roll hunks of dough into balls about the size of ping-pong balls. If using a tortilla press, first line it with plastic-slit both sides (but not the bottom) of a quart-size plastic sandwich bag to create a large rectangle. Cover the bottom of the tortilla press with half of the plastic rectangle (seam toward the hinge of the press) and set a dough ball on top. Fold the other half of the rectangle over the dough and close the press with firm pressure. (The tortilla should be about 1/8 inch thick.) If you don't have a tortilla press, cut a plastic bag as above, lay a dough ball on one side of the cut plastic bag, cover it with the other, and use a heavy skillet to press out tortillas.
• Heat 2 inches of oil in a large, deep skillet or saucepan until it reaches 350°F on a deep-fat thermometer. Using kitchen tongs, set tortillas, 1 at a time, in the hot oil. Use a long-handled spatula to ladle hot oil over the top of the tortilla as it puffs up. (It should take about 10 seconds.) Once the tortilla has puffed, flip it over. With tongs, push it to the side of the pan and wedge it gently in place. At the same time, using the edge of a spatula to press lightly in the tortilla's center, make an indentation that will allow you to fold it into a taco shape. With tongs, remove the fried tortilla and set it on paper towels to drain and cool slightly. Repeat with the remaining tortillas. (If shaping the tortillas into tacos seems like too much hullabaloo, just leave them flat, cover them with toppings, and eat them that way.)
• TO ASSEMBLE AND SERVE THE PUFFY TACOS: As soon as the folded tacos are cool enough to handle, fill with a spoonful of bison chili and top with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Eat immediately with both hands. Forks and knives work, too, but it's not nearly as much fun or as messy. No matter what, make sure you've got plenty of napkins on hand.
• Puffy tacos are not just for meat eaters. Cook up a batch of refried black beans, without the bacon, of course (page 161), for vegetarians and fill the tacos with the bean mixture, topping with desired garnishes. Others can eat the beans as a side. Other side dish possibilities include Rosa's Mexican Rice (page 161).
• The chili can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated, or frozen for up to 3 weeks. The masa dough can be made 24 hours in advance, rolled into balls, wrapped, and refrigerated. Shaping and frying the tortillas is best done at the last minute: when puffy tacos are stone cold and old, you probably won't want to eat them.
• Keep an eye on the oil's temperature as you fry the tortillas. If it gets too hot they'll burn and likely splatter enough to burn you, too. If the oil gets too cool, it produces soggy, greasy tacos. Periodically check the temperature with a deep-fat thermometer and adjust the heat as needed.

BAKED PUFFY FISH TACOS

Steps:

• Whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, chipotle powder, salt, hot sauce, and lime juice for sauce in a bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust as needed. Refrigerate until needed.
• Cut fish into eight 1 ½-inch pieces.
• Transfer fish to a bowl; add olive oil, salt, cumin, chipotle pepper, and chili powder. Toss with tongs, thoroughly but gently, until coated.
• Let fish marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Toss cabbage, salt, lime juice, and dried oregano together in a bowl with your hands until coated.
• Place 2 tortillas on the prepared baking sheet and coat lightly on both sides with some olive oil. Place 3 ounces of sliced fish on each tortilla, on only one side so that you can fold the tacos after baking.
• Bake in the center of the preheated oven until fish flakes easily with a fork and tortillas are browned and puffy, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Fold tacos in the center of each tortilla to crease. Top with cabbage, followed by jalapenos, radishes, and sauce. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges to squeeze over. Repeat for remaining 2 tacos.

GROUND BISON TACOS

Steps:

• Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground bison, season with taco seasoning, and cook until bison is browned throughout and crumbly, about 5 minutes.
• Heat tortillas over a comal, or microwave for 30 seconds in a tortilla warming bag.
• Assemble tortillas by adding 2 tablespoons cooked ground bison, 2 tablespoons chopped salad kit, cilantro, diced tomatoes, and Oaxaca cheese onto each tortilla.
• Drizzle salad dressing from package on top of the assembled tacos. Enjoy!

BISON CHILI

Steps:

• In a large kettle or Dutch oven, brown meat in oil; drain. Add onion and green pepper; saute for 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until the meat is tender.