You know, darlin’, beef tinga, it’s somethin’ special, let me tell ya. Ain’t nothin’ fancy to it, but boy, when you get it right, it’s somethin’ the whole family remembers! Now, beef tinga, it’s like a warm, spicy stew with beef, tomatoes, onions, and them chipotle peppers that give it a good kick. Some folks say it’s from Mexico, from a place called Puebla. They sure know how to make good food down there.
Alright, let’s get down to business. Here’s what ya need to make yourself some tasty beef tinga. Don’t you worry, the list ain’t too long, and these things are pretty easy to find.
- About 2 pounds of beef, somethin’ like chuck roast works best
- 3 big ol’ tomatoes, diced up nice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced (gives it some bite!)
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (these are the stars!)
- 1-2 teaspoons of oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- A little oil for cookin’
Now, get your Dutch oven or a big ol’ pot ready, and let’s make magic happen:
1. First thing, you wanna heat up your oven to about 325F. Gotta get that beef tender, ya know?
2. Now, pat that beef dry. This part’s important; don’t skip it, else it won’t brown right. Season it good with salt and pepper. After that, coat it a bit in flour if you want it to have a little more thickness later on.
3. Heat up a nice bit of oil in your pot over medium-high. Get it hot, then add that beef and brown it good on all sides. Don’t rush, darlin’. That brownin’ is what gives it flavor.
4. Once your beef is browned up, take it out and set it aside for now. You’re not done yet!
5. In the same pot, toss in your chopped onion and garlic. Let it cook till it’s soft and smells real good – we’re talkin’ a few minutes here. Then add in them diced tomatoes. Let it simmer till it gets nice and saucy.
6. Here comes the good part! Add in them chipotle peppers with a spoonful of that adobo sauce. These peppers are the heart of beef tinga, giving it that smoky, spicy flavor. Stir in the oregano too – it’s like the cherry on top!
7. Now, return that beef to the pot, and pour in enough water or broth to cover it just right. Put a lid on that pot and pop it in the oven. Let it cook for a good 2-3 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the beef is tender and practically falls apart.
And that’s it! You’ve got yourself a pot of beef tinga. Serve it up however you like – over rice, in tacos, on tostadas – it’s all good, honey.
Some Tips:
- If it’s too spicy, add a little more tomato. It’ll mellow out that heat some.
- Wanna make it a little fancier? Squeeze a lime on top before servin’. Brings out the flavors real nice.
- Leftovers? They’re even better the next day. Just reheat in a pan, easy as pie.
There ya have it – good ol’ beef tinga, ready for the family! It’s simple, but sometimes the simplest things are the best, ya know? Just a warm bowl of this stuff is like a hug on a cold day.
Tags:[beef tinga, Mexican stew, chipotle beef, hearty beef stew, easy beef tinga recipe]