Best 3 Red Chile Pork Tacos With Caramelized Onions Recipes

PORK RED-CHILE TAMALES

Steps:

• Make the pork: Combine the pork with the garlic, 1 tablespoon salt and 3 quarts cold water in a large pot or dutch oven. Bring to a boil, partially cover, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until the pork is tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours, turning the pork halfway through and adding more water as needed to keep the pork submerged. Remove the pork to a plate, reserving the broth. Let the pork cool slightly, then shred.
• Make the salsa: Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add the chiles and simmer until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving the saucepan; transfer the softened chiles to a blender along with the granulated garlic, oregano, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups of the pork broth and puree until smooth.
• Wipe out the reserved saucepan. Heat the canola oil in the pan over medium heat. Add all but 3/4 cup salsa to the pan and cook, stirring, until it thickens and darkens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the shredded pork and 1 cup pork broth. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 45 minutes. Season with salt.
• Make the masa: Mix the masa harina, baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Using clean hands, gradually mix in 3 1/2 cups warm pork broth, the reserved 3/4 cup salsa and the melted lard until smooth and fully combined; the mixture should be fluffy, almost like frosting. Season with salt.
• Assemble the tamales: Place a softened corn husk on a work surface. Spread 1/4 cup masa across the wider end of the corn husk. Add 2 tablespoons pork mixture in a line down the center. Fold in the sides of the husk to encase the filling, then fold in the narrower end so the goodness doesn't come out. Repeat with the remaining husks, dough and filling.
• Cook the tamales: Fill a tamale steamer or large pot with a steamer insert with 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stand the tamales up in the steamer basket with the open end up. Steam, covered, until the tamales are softly set, about 1 1/2 hours, checking halfway through and adding more water if needed. Remove the tamales and let cool 10 to 15 minutes to firm up. Serve with salsa, cheese and sour cream.

PORK TENDERLOIN TACOS WITH PINEAPPLE AND QUICK-PICKLED RED ONIONS

Steps:

• In a container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the onion with the vinegar, ice, and a generous pinch of salt. Close the container and shake to dissolve the salt. Refrigerate while you prepare the pork.
• In a small bowl, whisk the chile powder with the paprika, cumin, garlic powder, coriander, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Set the spice mixture aside.
• Using a sharp knife, butterfly the pork tenderloin: Slice almost in half lengthwise, stopping about 1/2 inch from cutting through; open like a book on a work surface. Using your palm or a meat mallet, pound the tenderloin to an even thickness. Drizzle the pork with olive oil and season with the spice mixture.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet, grill pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Add the 2 tablespoons olive oil and then the pork. Cook, flipping once, until charred on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F, 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer to a carving board and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, warm the tortillas over an open flame or in the microwave; wrap in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm. Carve the pork against the grain and transfer to a platter. Serve the pork in the tortillas with sour cream, cilantro leaves, diced pineapple, hot sauce, and the pickled red onions.

GRILLED CHIPOTLE PORK TACOS WITH RED SLAW

Steps:

• For the pork: Combine the cilantro, lime juice, oil, chile powder, garlic and onions in a large dish. Add the pork slices and turn to coat. Preheat a grill on medium-high heat.
• For the red slaw: Combine the cabbage, cilantro, oil, vinegar, chile powder, bell peppers, red onions and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss to mix and set aside.
• Remove the pork from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. Sprinkle the pork on both sides with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Grill, turning once, until browned and still a little rosy inside, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large plate.
• Grill the tortillas, turning once, until grill marks appear and the tortillas are softened, about 1 minute. Transfer to individual plates. Divide the pork and a little slaw among the tortillas. Top each tortilla with a teaspoon of sour cream and serve with lime wedges.