Taquitos... Beef or Chicken

Hola Amigos!  Happy Cinco de Mayo~  In true form of a celebration of this caliber I'd like to share a muy rico recipe for shredded beef & shredded chicken taquitos.    These taquitos or "little tacos" are as authentic as they can be and  are muy delicioso too!  They've got that great crunch on the outside from the corn tortilla that's been lightly fried and the inside is oh so tender and savory!  They're great for an appetizer for a party or even on their own for dinner... alright, truth be told... I freeze them after I've made them and pop them in the oven for a late night snack!  

So vamos! Make some taquitos tonight! 

Let me also say one thing.... I'm always honest with you guys...so I will say this...  this isn't an in and out of the kitchen kinda recipe... this definitely requires a bit of commitment in terms of time in the kitchen, it's a lot of steps (nothing hard!) but it takes time... you really won't be sorry though!   Truly you'll feel better than you didn't go the frozen taquito from the freezer section in the supermarket route... gosh only knows what's inside of those things!  

Shredded Beef & Shredded Chicken Taquitos

Shredded Beef & Chicken both have the same ingredients-

1-3 lbs of round roast or tri tip roast untrimmed

or if using chicken 2 lbs of boneless skiness chicken thighs 

1/2 red bell pepper

3-5 green scallions

4-5 cloves of garlic

2 tbs cilantro

1 tbs salt

Place meat or chicken in a deep pot and add enough water to cover it.  Add all ingredients.  Allow to boil for 1 hour.  

Turn off flame and allow meat or chicken to cool completely.  Remove from the pot and place on a cutting board, reserving the broth as you can use this flavorful stuff for a great soup or sauce for something else!  Begin shredding meat or chicken into thin little pieces....also chop or smoosh with the back of your fork the pepper and scallion and add to the shredded meat/chicken mixture.  I also like to add some extra fresh chopped scallion to it!  Combine throughly in a bowl.  Add 1/2 can of chopped chiles to it... a little more salt & pepper to taste.   You can even add a drained can of petite dice tomatoes in it as well if you like. 

Shredded Chicken

Shredded Beef

Begin assembling!  I happen to like the really small corn tortillas.  If you can find them any size will do.  

I also like to put my tortillas in the microwave for about 30 seconds so that they become soft and are easier to work with once you put the filling in and roll them up... that way they won't crack on you. 

Place a small amount of filling at the base of the tortilla.... then roll it up like a cigar.  If you find that yours have a hard time staying together once you drop them into the oil to fry them, use a little toothpick to hold it closed and remove it as soon as it comes out of the hot oil. 

Shredded Chicken

Shredded Beef

Fry on each side until it's golden brown.  Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, etc... 

**sidenote**

This filling is also fantastic if you have any left over with some shredded lettuce and made into a little tostada type of salad.  Chop some fresh tomatoes, some more cilantro and you've got another meal!  

You can also add a can of chopped tomatoes, juice and all to it and then serve it over some rice.   

Adios Amigos!