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Quesabirrias recipe is a popular Mexican dish that originated in Tijuana, Baja California. It is a delicious and flavorful meal that consists of tender, slow-cooked beef (usually beef brisket or beef shanks) that is seasoned with a blend of spices, cooked until it is fall-apart tender, and then shredded. The shredded beef is then typically served in a crispy tortilla made with cheese, known as a "quesadilla," which is then dipped into a rich and flavorful broth made from the cooking juices of the beef, resulting in a mouthwatering and savory dish.
Beef Birria
Ingredients:
7 Tomatoes
1 Big Onion
6 Guajillo Chiles dried
3 Ancho Chiles dried
8 Garlic Gloves
5Kg Beef brisket
2Kg Beef ribs
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Pepper grain
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 Cinamon sticks
3 Cups of water
QuesaBirrias
Ingredients:
12 Corn Tortillas
Oaxaca Cheese or Mozzarrella Cheese
Chopped White Onion
Cilantro for garnish
Begin by finely chopping the onions and slicing the tomatoes in half. Remove the stems and seeds from the chilies.
Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions, tomatoes, chilies, and a pinch of salt and spices, and cook for a few minutes until softened and fragrant.
Pour in enough water or broth to cover the vegetables, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
While the sauce is cooking, prepare the meat by cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
If using a frying pan, add a little bit of olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the pieces of meat and sear them on both sides until they are browned and little crispy.
If using an Instant Pot, select the "Sauté" function and add a little bit of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the pieces of meat and sear them on both sides until browned.
Once the vegetables are cooked, transfer them (without the broth) to a blender and blend until smooth. Add the blended mixture back into the pot with the broth, stir well, and add the meat. Make sure the meat is fully submerged in the broth.
Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 2–3 hours or until the meat is tender. If using an Instant Pot, set it to high pressure for 45-55 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release of 15-30 minutes.
Once the meat is tender, use tongs to remove it from the pot and transfer it to a cutting board. Shred or chop the meat into smaller pieces.
To warm the tortillas, heat them up in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds on each side, or wrap them in foil and heat them in the oven for a few minutes.
In a skillet over medium heat, pour a small amount of the broth and place a tortilla on top. Add a generous amount of meat and cheese on half of the tortilla, then fold the other half over to create a QuesaBirria. Let it cook until golden brown on both sides.
Once the QuesaBirria is ready, transfer it to a plate and sprinkle some diced onions and freshly chopped cilantro on top.
In a small bowl, pour a bit of the broth to create a dipping sauce. Dip your quesadilla in the broth to add extra flavour.
Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas, meat, and cheese.
For an extra touch of flavour, you can prepare a delicious avocado sauce to accompany your QuesaBirrias. Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados
2 green tomatoes
1 small onion
1 garlic clove
A handful of fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
1 serrano chili (optional, for a spicy kick)
Instructions:
Peel and dice the avocados and place them in a blender or food processor.
Add the chopped green tomatoes, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and serrano chili (if using) to the blender.
Blend all the ingredients until you get a smooth and creamy sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Serve the avocado sauce alongside your QuesaBirrias for a delicious and refreshing flavor contrast.
With this simple and tasty avocado sauce, you can add a burst of freshness and a pop of color to your QuesaBirrias, while also enhancing its overall flavour profile.
This quesabirria recipe is perfect for sharing with your loved ones. Serve it for a family dinner, enjoy it with friends, or even bring it to a potluck or event. It's simple, delicious, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
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