In the heart of Tucson, El Charro Cafe has been serving up its renowned Chile Colorado con Carne for over 98 years, captivating taste buds with its rich, flavorful fusion of tender beef, zesty spices, and aromatic chilies. This iconic dish has become a beloved staple in Tucson's culinary landscape, earning widespread acclaim for its exceptional flavor and cultural significance. Our article delves into the secrets behind this mouthwatering dish, providing two distinct recipes: one that faithfully recreates the original El Charro experience and another that offers a simplified version for home cooks seeking a taste of Tucson's culinary heritage.
Recipe 1: "El Charro Cafe's Chile Colorado con Carne":
This recipe meticulously replicates the authentic El Charro Cafe experience, using a blend of dried chilies, aromatic spices, and slow-cooked beef to create a complex and flavorful dish. The detailed instructions guide you through every step, from preparing the flavorful chili paste to simmering the beef until it reaches tender perfection.
Recipe 2: "Simplified Chile Colorado con Carne":
For those seeking a simplified yet equally delicious version of this classic dish, this recipe offers a streamlined approach without compromising on taste. Using a combination of dried and canned chilies, ground beef, and a blend of spices, this recipe delivers a flavorful and satisfying Chile Colorado con Carne that can be easily prepared in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Both recipes are accompanied by helpful tips and suggestions to ensure success, allowing you to recreate the magic of El Charro Cafe's iconic dish or enjoy a simplified version that captures its essence. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a culinary enthusiast seeking an authentic taste of Tucson's culinary heritage, these recipes will guide you towards a delicious and memorable dining experience.
CHILES RELLENOS - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO
Make and share this Chiles Rellenos - Tucson's El Charro recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Mme M
Categories Peppers
Time 35m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Stuff each chile with cheese, and set aside.
- Separate eggs and beat the whites until stiff. Beat yolks and fold into whites, along with flour, salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet. Dip stuffed chiles, one at a time, into egg batter, then remove with a large spoon. Carefully lower coated chiles into hot oil, 3 or 4 at a time. Fry until golden brown on both sides. The chiles may be made ahead to this point.
- To serve immediately, arrange on platter or individual plates and pour warm Taco Sauce over each chile. Garnish with more cheese and run under broiler to melt cheese, if desired.
- May be made in advance up to the point of topping with cheese, and reheated in a 400-degree oven about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 465.3, Fat 37.1, SaturatedFat 19.5, Cholesterol 168.5, Sodium 848.2, Carbohydrate 9.2, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 3.5, Protein 24.9
CHILE COLORADO/CON CARNE - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO
Customarily served in bowls. If cooked longer, cooking away the liquid, this chile colorado makes ideal filling for burros and chimichangas. Use recipe#230761 and recipe#230764. Chef Carlotta Flores, owner of El Charro Cafe.
Provided by Mme M
Categories Meat
Time 2h25m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cut the meat into 3/4" pieces. Put a handful at a time into a bag containing the flour, salt and pepper. Shake well. Repeat with the remaining meat.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add a batch of meat at a time into the hot oil, not overcrowding. Brown slowly.
- Add the Enchilada Sauce, garlic puree and oregano.
- Cook over low heat at least one hour, or until the meat is very tender, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. AAdd water if necessary.
- I put a lid on my pan, and cook the dish for several hours over the lowest possible heat. The meat must be tender!
RED ENCHILADA SAUCE - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO
If you want hot enchilada sauce, choose a hot chile variety. Otherwise, use Ancho chiles. Garlic puree is recipe#230764. Chef Carlotta Flores, owner of El Charro Cafe.
Provided by Mme M
Categories Sauces
Time 45m
Yield 2 quarts
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Rinse the chiles in cold water and remove the stems. Cook in the boiling water until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Remove the chiles, reserving the liquid.
- Place a few of the chiles in a blender or food processor with 1/2 cup of the reserved liquid, and blend to a paste.
- Remove to a bowl. Repeat with the rest of the chiles.
- Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the garlic puree and flour, stirring until the flour browns. Add the chile paste, stirring continuously until it all boils and thickens. Season with the salt. Thin with the cooking liquid.
CARNE CON CHILE
This is a great authentic Mexican recipe.
Provided by Eny
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 1h
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place the tomatillos, tomatoes, serrano peppers, chile de arbol peppers, and 3 whole garlic cloves into a saucepan over medium-low heat, and cool until the mixture is juicy and the peppers are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove and discard the garlic cloves. Pour the mixture into a blender, and blend until smooth, about 1 minute; set sauce aside. Mince 1 clove of garlic, or amount to taste, and mix into the sauce; season to taste with salt.
- Mince 1 more clove of garlic, and place into a skillet with the pork over medium heat. Cook covered until the pork is no longer pink and the juices run clear, stirring often, about 30 minutes. Pour the blended sauce over the meat, and reduce heat to a simmer; cook, stirring often, until the pork is tender, 5 to 10 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 613.6 calories, Carbohydrate 26.1 g, Cholesterol 135.8 mg, Fat 35.8 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 48.6 g, SaturatedFat 11.9 g, Sodium 108.1 mg, Sugar 9.5 g
ENCHILADAS DE POLLO ( CHICKEN ) TUCSON'S EL CHARRO
Make and share this Enchiladas De Pollo ( Chicken ) Tucson's El Charro recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Mme M
Categories Chicken
Time 50m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the chicken breasts, and boil again. Reduce the heat and simmer 20 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
- Drain and cool. Discard the skin and bones. Shred the meat and set aside. Cover.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet. Dip each tortilla in the oil and place on waxed paper.
- Place 2 tbls chicken in the center of each tortilla and roll each loosely.
- Place seam side down and side by side, in a shallow baking dish. Cover with Red Enchilada Sauce and the shredded cheese.
- Bake in the oven until the cheese is piping hot and melting, about 10 minutes.
- Garnish with the avocado and sour cream. Serve with shredded lettuce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1512, Fat 134.3, SaturatedFat 41.5, Cholesterol 188, Sodium 1201.5, Carbohydrate 32.4, Fiber 5.8, Sugar 2.1, Protein 48.1
CILANTRO AND GREEN CABBAGE SLAW - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO
The dressing can also be used with enchiladas, and is very good with seafood filled enchiladas. Use recipe#230764. Chef Carlotta Flores, owner of El Charro Cafe.
Provided by Mme M
Categories Vegetable
Time 15m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- To make the dressing, combine the oil, lime juice, vinegar, salt, and lemon pepper in a jar with a tight lid. Shake well to mix.
- For the salad, in a large bowl, mix the cabbage and cilantro and toss with the dressing. Add in the rest of the ingredients (finely mince the 2 garlic cloves, and add those if you aren't using garlic paste) and toss lightly, or place these other vegetables around the salad platter as a garnish.
- If you want, add some crumbled cojita or other Mexican white cheese for added flavor.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 229.6, Fat 18.6, SaturatedFat 2.4, Sodium 420.5, Carbohydrate 17.2, Fiber 4.9, Sugar 7.5, Protein 3.3
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use a variety of dried chiles, such as ancho, guajillo, and pasilla.
- Toast the chiles in a pan or comal before rehydrating them to enhance their flavor.
- Use a combination of beef cuts for the carne, such as chuck roast, flank steak, and short ribs, to add depth of flavor to the dish.
- Cook the carne in a flavorful broth made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. This will help to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
- Simmer the chile colorado with the carne for at least 2 hours, or until the meat is fall-apart tender.
- Serve the chile colorado with a variety of toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.
Conclusion:
Chile colorado con carne is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a casual weeknight meal. With its rich, smoky flavor and tender meat, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try.
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