I’m cooking for a crowd on Sunday. It’s a family Mexican pot-luck to celebrate my brother Bud’s and Sister-in-Law Cheryl’s 60th wedding anniversary! I know what you’re thinking. Dave, how can you be so much younger than your only sibling? I was a big, bouncing bundle of oops!
Marinated Tri-Tip Tacos
3 whole dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
3 whole dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
2 whole dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
2 whole chipotle peppers, canned in adobo
Juice from 2 to 3 oranges
Juice from 2 to 3 limes
1 small yellow or white onion, peeled, halved and sliced into half-moons
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 small bunch cilantro, leaves and tender stems only, divided
6 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
Kosher salt, to taste
2-3 pounds tri-tip, trimmed and sliced and cut into small cubes
Warm corn or flour tortillas, lime wedges, diced onion, fresh cilantro, hot sauce or Siracha, Pico de Gallo and cotija or queso fresco, for serving.
Place dried chiles in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a soft boil. Remove from heat, cover and let the chiles steep for 20 minutes. Transfer to the jar of a blender and add chipotle peppers, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, cilantro, garlic, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Blend until a smooth sauce has formed, about 1 minute. Taste and add more salt, if needed.
Add the chopped tri-tip and sliced onions to a large Ziploc bag and pour in the marinade. Squeeze out all the air zip it and marinate in your fridge for 2 hours to overnight. Reserve some of the marinade for cooking.
Fire the Blackstone, griddle or large cast-iron skillet and cook the meat thoroughly. Pour some of the reserved marinade over the meat while cooking. If using a skillet, cook the meat in batches so as to not crowd the meat.
Warm your tortillas; add your meat and build your tacos with your favorite toppings!