DO barbacoa test (final pics loaded)

Cranky Buzzard · Last edited by Cranky Buzzard on Mon Sep 28 09 2:31 am; edited 1 time in total

In the general topics section I asked for some assistance with making barbacoa. As usual, the folks on the ring came through with ideas for me. Now, today, I have begun making my first test run of it!

Using the recipe that I was given by the future bride's mother (about the same as what SoEzzy posted), I went to the local Fiesta Food Mart, which is a KILLER store btw, and found 3.5 pounds of beef cheek meat and some cilantro. I also picked up some corn tortillas that were made this morning according to the sign above them.

The girl at the checkout register looked at me a bit funny and then quizzically asked my what I was making. When I told her barbacoa she REALLY looked at me funny! Shocked

The lady in line behind me asked how I was going to do it, she agreed that I should be fine and also said that using "an old iron pot" (my DO) would be perfect for it! That got me a bit pumped!

The recipe I was given was:
3 pounds cheek meat
2 large yellow onions
1 handful of freshly chopped garlic
Some ground cumin (she said enough to cover the "hole" in the palm of your hand)
1 shot of tequila
Saute the onions, garlic, and cumin with a little oil, and then put the meat in the pot and add water. After it comes to a boil pour in the tequila and let it "low boil" until the meat is falling apart.

Here are the onions in the pot with the garlic and some ground cumin.

All of it sauteing in the DO on top of the fish cooker. For a 6-8 hour cook I opted for propane instead of coals, yeah, it's a lazy Saturday!

The cheek meat before dumping in the pot

And finally all of it simmering

About 6 more hours and I'll tell you how it tastes! Shocked

Charlie
_________________
Cranky Buzzard BBQ FB Group

whitey · Posted: Sun Sep 27 09 9:26 am Post subject:

Cranky I have a tongue in the stew pot right now,Tacos De Lengua plus a D.O Enchilada Pie.Low and slow..I also got pics..Looking good buddy..Cant wait to here how it went down.
It will be a hit..Dont forget come cumin..
_________________
Lang 84 delux long neck chargrill.
The Lil Squealer (UDS)
My Lab is smarter than Your Honor role student!!
Chicken Throwdown Champ..2010..
Almost the Biggest Liar on the "Ring"

Brinnie · Posted: Sun Sep 27 09 9:51 am Post subject:

Cranky Buzzard, That Is an awesome Looking feed you are cooking up there Very Happy

Looking forward to seeing that on a plate Cool

_________________

Cheers
Smoking
Down Under

Cranky Buzzard · Posted: Sun Sep 27 09 10:16 am Post subject:

Got a few hours to go, but I am SO looking forward to the first taco!!!

Thanks for the well wishes folks, and yes, there is cumin in it.

Charlie
_________________
Cranky Buzzard BBQ FB Group

BluzQue · Posted: Sun Sep 27 09 10:55 am Post subject:

Tasty lookin' D.O. cook Cranky Buzzard Very Happy

_________________
" A Touch of Hickory and a Taste of the Blues "

GOOD MUSIC GOOD FOOD GOOD BEER GREAT FRIENDS

OLE BOY OFFSET SMOKER
WEBER PERFORMER GRILL
WHISKEY BARREL SMOKER

Cranky Buzzard · Posted: Sun Sep 27 09 11:25 am Post subject:

k.a.m. · Posted: Sun Sep 27 09 4:15 pm Post subject:

Charlie, that looks like it is gonna be a fine meal right there my man Very Happy

I look forward to seeing the finished pics Smile

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

charleso · Posted: Sun Sep 27 09 8:12 pm Post subject:

Man oh man, you gonna have all of us a drollin. Wish we could transmit smell over the net. Might be some men folks hurtin. Can't wait to see the results. An idea came to me last night. I know your gonna save the stock and make some killer rice, aren't you?
_________________
Propane is for frying, not Que!
I AM NOT A LIAR!!!

Cranky Buzzard · Posted: Mon Sep 28 09 1:06 am Post subject:

Thanks for the words of faith gents! I cooked this in the garage on the fish cooker and that place STILL smells great; of course I do still have something simmering out there!

k.a.m. · Posted: Mon Sep 28 09 1:52 am Post subject:

Charlie, Man Oh Man Very Happy

Now that right there is game on. I would love to go toe to toe with that pan and some soft corn torts Very Happy

I will be waiting for the plated pics, and somehow I know you are fixing to make me hungry Smile

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

Cranky Buzzard · Posted: Mon Sep 28 09 2:35 am Post subject:

Got it all plated up and ready to eat.

The wife wasn't all that impressed with the meat when it was raw and in the cooking phase, but once again she came through for me and at least tried a bite of a taco; then she ate 3 of them! Shocked

She said she was amazed at how they tasted!

So was I for that matter. The rice came out wonderful and I plan to save some of it for a fishing trip dad and I are going on this weekend.

Here is the rice while still in the DO. I will definitely do this again!

The plated tacos with all the trimmings

And a little close up shot of the tacos before I wiped them out! Laughing

Looks like I'll be doing this again REALLY SOON!

Charlie
_________________
Cranky Buzzard BBQ FB Group

Cranky Buzzard · Posted: Mon Sep 28 09 3:17 am Post subject:

charleso · Posted: Mon Sep 28 09 5:00 am Post subject:

Charlie, think we could arrange a swap Question

I will email you a plate of roast, smashed taters, and corn if you will email me a few of them tacos Razz

Well, it was a thought anyway, but I am afraid someone might find it on the internet and steal both plates Exclamation

BTW, those tacos are crazy good looking. You with them and Whitey talking tongue has got me droolin, can't wait to see his pics.
_________________
Propane is for frying, not Que!
I AM NOT A LIAR!!!

kingofcool · BBQ Pro Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Posts: 863 Location: Georgia

I actually made some cow cheek last sunday. I read on a local blog that whole foods was carrying it so I went and got some. (They also had oxtail which I'm gonna braise in the DO sometime soon).

Anyway got two packages of the cheek.

I just made a basic green chile sauce with roasted tomatillas, serranos, garlic, some chicken broth, some onion, cilantro and s and p. I then used that as my braising liquid.

I must say they turned out fantastic. I made some avacado sauce to top the tacos and also made some beans from scratch. The cheek meat has a very distinct flavor and it is great.

With my beans when cooking them down I actually used some smocked ham hock in them. Added an interesting flavor to them. Had a good smokey flavor.

Brinnie · Posted: Mon Sep 28 09 7:46 pm Post subject:

Now That was worth Waiting for Charlie '' Awesome '' Very Happy

_________________

Cheers
Smoking
Down Under

morick · Posted: Mon Sep 28 09 11:28 pm Post subject:

Interesting meal for sure i like it alot thanks for sharing

whitey · Posted: Tue Sep 29 09 3:24 am Post subject:

Cranky Buzzard
The Lengua turned out great had an Enchilada casarole,Taco De Lengua's beans and salsa..

There again wasnt any thing left for lunch Laughing

Which is good..

Your meal turned out looking like it came right off the Taco Wagon..Nice job..

Are You going to do the party for Your Mexican friends?
_________________
Lang 84 delux long neck chargrill.
The Lil Squealer (UDS)
My Lab is smarter than Your Honor role student!!
Chicken Throwdown Champ..2010..
Almost the Biggest Liar on the "Ring"

k.a.m. · Posted: Tue Sep 29 09 10:55 am Post subject:

Charlie, that meal turned out awesome Very Happy

I know I am going to be trying this recipe very soon. Those tacos plated up are absolutely beautiful. Nicely done my man. Smile

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker