SHORT RIB TAQUITOS WITH AVOCADO SALSA

Short Rib Taquitos with Avocado Salsa image

Provided by Jet Tila

Time 45m

Yield about 1 1/2 cups (4 servings)

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 1/2 pounds leftover cooked boneless short ribs
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 to 16 corn tortillas
About 1 1/2 quarts vegetable or canola oil, for frying
Six 4- to 6-inch skewers
2 cups shredded lettuce
Avocado Salsa (recipe follows)
Sour cream or Mexican crema
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 large ripe avocado
3 tomatillos, husked and thoroughly washed
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup chopped white onion
1/2 to 1 jalapeño, diced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Juice from 1/2 lime
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Large pinch each of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

For the taquitos: Pull the short ribs apart with gloved hands in a large bowl until very finely shredded-feel free to discard the fat and chewy bits. Work in the seasoned salt, cumin and a heavy pinch of cracked black pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
Wrap the tortillas in a clean tea towel and microwave for 30 seconds. Carefully remove and place 1 tortilla on a cutting board and spoon about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the short rib mixture into the center. Roll one end of the tortilla over the filling then pull it back tight until the filling is enclosed tightly. Then continue to roll until tight. Secure the taquito by pushing through a skewer 1 inch from each end. Repeat to create a total of 4 skewered stacks, each with 3 to 4 taquitos.
Fill a large skillet with high sides with 1 to 2 inches of oil and heat to 365 degrees F. Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet.
Fry 1 taquito stack at a time until golden and crispy all around, about 2 minutes on each side. Drain on the wire rack.
For serving: Place the taquitos on a bed of shredded lettuce. Drizzle with the avocado salsa and sour cream and garnish with red onions.
Place all the ingredients in a mini food processor. Start by pulsing 3 to 5 times until combined. Then run continually until smooth, about 15 seconds. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 3 to 5 days.