Colorado American Lamb Birria Tacos

Recipe provided by | Chef Alex Seidel, Frutition Restaurant and Mercantile Dinning and Provision

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Servings: 8 Preparation Time: 1 hour Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours


INGREDIENTS

3 to 4 pounds American Lamb shanks, whole

4 dried guajillo chiles, stems removed and

coarsely chopped or torn

3 dried ancho chiles, stems removed and

coarsely chopped or torn

2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce

6 whole cloves garlic, peeled

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 yellow onions, 1 diced and 1 finely chopped

2 cups canned diced tomatoes

3 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

2 sprigs fresh marjoram

Salt and pepper, to taste

8 cups lamb or beef stock

1 yellow onion, finely chopped

1 bunch cilantro, minced

16 fresh corn tortillas, warm

 

DIRECTIONS

In a food processor, combine guajillo, ancho and chipotle chiles with garlic, cumin, coriander and oregano and pulse to make a coarse paste.

Coat bottom of a large heavy-bottom stockpot with oil and heat over medium heat. Add chile-garlic mixture and diced onions and gently cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, thyme, bay leaves and marjoram; season with salt and pepper. Add lamb shanks and stock. Gently simmer until lamb is tender and pulls away from the bones of the meat. Using a strainer, remove lamb and pick meat from bones. Roughly chop lamb and return meat to liquid. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To serve, ladle birria into bowls. Top with finely chopped onion and cilantro. Serve with warmed tortillas.