Best Meat For Mexican Stack Recipes

MEXICAN STACK-UP

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the broiler to high broil. Set the rack 6 inches from the heating element. Place the poblano pepper on a baking sheet and broil for 4 minutes on each side, or until the skin is blistered and rising up. Remove from the oven and wrap loosely in foil and allow to steam for 10 minutes.
• 2. Turn the broiler off and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the green onions and cook for 1 minute, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain the grease from the skillet, using a paper towel to soak up any extra grease.
• 3. While the onions and meat are cooking, remove the poblano from the foil and let cool. Peel the skin from the poblano and dice.
• 4. Add the chicken stock, taco seasoning, cayenne pepper, diced poblano peppers, black beans, corn, cilantro, cream cheese, and chives to the skillet. Cook and stir until it is creamy. Taste and add salt and pepper as you feel is needed. Remove from heat.
• 5. Choose a casserole dish that is at least 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches deep and can hold 2 stacks of 5 inch corn tortillas. Otherwise, make two separate casserole dishes. Spray with non-stick oil and place 2 corn tortillas (making 2 stacks) in the casserole dish. Spread 1/4th of the meat mixture on top of the two tortillas. Top with 1/4 of the cheese. Repeat this step 3 times, adding tortillas after the cheese. At the end, top with cheese.
• 6. Loosely cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let the dish sit for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

STACKED BEEF ENCHILADAS (AKA MEXICAN LASAGNA)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and the baking soda. Mix with your hands until evenly combined. Let sit on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes.
• While the beef sits, prepare the sauce. Set an oven rack about 5 inches beneath the heating element and preheat the broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Toss the tomatoes, onions, and garlic with the vegetable oil directly on the prepared baking sheet. Broil until softened and charred, 12 to15 minutes (if the vegetables are browning too quickly, give them a quick stir with a rubber spatula). Transfer the vegetables and juices to a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Add the salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper and pulse until just slightly chunky. Add the cilantro and pulse until the cilantro is chopped. Set the sauce aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring frequently and breaking into pieces, until just slightly pink, about 2 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes more, or until cooked through.
• To assemble: Preheat oven to 350°F and move the oven rack to the center position. Lightly oil a 9x13-in glass or ceramic baking dish.
• Set aside 1 cup of the sauce for the top of the casserole. (You want to ensure that you have enough to cover the top layer of tortillas, otherwise they won't cook through.)
• Line the bottom of the prepared baking dish with a layer of tortillas, overlapping them slightly. Spoon half of the beef (and any juices) over the tortillas. Top with half of the sauce and ⅓ of the cheese. Repeat with another layer of tortillas, the remaining beef, remaining sauce, and ⅓ of the cheese. Top with the remaining tortillas. Spread the reserved sauce over the tortillas and cover completely. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over top. Bake, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is completely melted.
• Note: Chipotle chili powder is smoky and hot and makes this dish a little spicy. For a milder dish, replace the chipotle chili powder with ancho chili powder, which isn't as hot.
• MAKE-AHEAD/FREEZER-FRIENDLY INSTRUCTIONS: The casserole can be prepared ahead of time, tightly covered with foil, and refrigerated for up to two days or frozen for up to 3 months before baking (if frozen, defrost in the refrigerator before cooking). It can also be fully baked, tightly covered with foil, and refrigerated for up to two days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat: defrost if necessary and heat the covered casserole in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes, or until hot. If you'd rather reheat individual servings, small portions can be zapped in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

MEXICAN STACK (BUILD YOUR OWN)

Steps:

• 1. This is a buffet style option for casual entertaining.
• 2. Lay items out so guests can build their own "Mexican stack". Start with tostadas or chips, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, sour cream and cheese.

FIESTA STACK-UPS

Steps:

• 1. To Make Chili sauce mixture: Brown meat and onions in skillet. Drain and add all other ingredients. Simmer 1 hour.
• 2. Layer on plate in following order 1. Fritos 2. Instant Rice 3. Chili Sauce Mixture from above 4. Cheddar cheese 5. Lettuce 6. Tomatoes 7. Onions 8. Black Olives 9. Pecans 10. Coconut 11. Picante Sauce

GRILLED MEXICAN STEAK

Steps:

• Toast the cumin seeds in a medium saute pan over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, or until fragrant.
• In a blender, combine the cumin seeds, jalapenos, garlic, pepper, lime juice, and salt. Pulse the blender to finely chop ingredients. Add the oil and cilantro and puree until smooth.
• Lightly score both sides of the meat with a knife so that the marinade will penetrate. Place the meat in a large plastic bag or bowl, pour in the marinade, and coat well. Marinate in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate.
• Remove the meat from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. Cook on high, 1 to 2 minutes per side, to sear the meat. Turn the heat down to low and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the it has reached the desired doneness.