Mexican Pot Roast Tacos!!Sorry it's late, but here is the amazing recipe I promised from my chef of a sister-in-law, Bennett. She got the idea from a Tyler Florence recipe, made it her own, and then taught me. Make these. Please?! They are so incredibly delicious. You can also use this shredded beef in other concoctions too, like enchiladas or burritos! I use a crock pot to do them. You can also use a dutch oven or another heavy-bottomed pot (on low-longer cooking time). I highly recommend the crockpot though for it's ease. If you don't own one, go buy one because it will quickly become your best friend. So just let the beef simmer all day, and then roll up in a tortilla with some cool cole slaw on top (recipe for this is below too)!

****So I made these yesterday (for the yummy thousandth time) and took notes to share with you. The two pounds of beef shoulder roast took exactly 8 hours in the crockpot (fresh, not frozen), but a good rule of thumb here is just to let it go until it's fork tender. Also, a tablespoon of cayenne is ALOT and makes the tacos/sauce spicy. Don't use this much if you don't like heat or if you have kids! The last note I have here is that after I take the beef out, shred it, and spoon over some sauce, I sprinkle more salt over the whole thing. I think a little dash helps bring out all the flavors even more. Enjoy!!! :)*****

Ingredients:

2 lbs. Beef Shoulder, salted and peppered

1 large can crushed tomatoes (28 oz), plus can of water (28 oz.)

A sliced onion

Bay leaf

1/2 - 1 ish teaspoon salt

A tablespoon or palm full of each:

Cumin

Ancho Chili Powder (or regular)

Cayenne (or LESS if you don't like heat/are serving to kids)

Garlic Powder

Directions:

Throw it all in the crock pot. Really that is all. I threw mine in FROZEN the other day, and I actually think it came out more delicious. Set the crockpot on high, and let it go for about 6-8ish hours (if yours is frozen it's going to be more like 10-12 hours, so you basically need to get up at the crack of dawn. Which if you have a tiny baby, isn't really a big deal. If you don't have a tiny baby, however, just use fresh beef so you can be normal and sleep until a decent hour.) Make sure the beef is fork tender, if it's not it needs to cook longer. Take out the roast and transfer to a serving dish, reserving some of the cooking liquid. With two forks, shred the beef. Though it will probably be so tender that it practically shreds by itself. Spoon some yummy sauce on top of the beefy goodness. Serve in corn or flour tortillas (we use corn) with this cool lemony-garlic cole slaw*

Lemon- Garlic Cole Slaw:

1 package thin shredded, white cabbage

cilantro (if you like)

diced avocado (who doesn't like?)

4-5 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup lemon juice

2/3 cup extra light virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

Throw the cabbage in a bowl. Add chopped cilantro and diced avocado. In a separate small bowl, add minced garlic and sprinkle salt over the garlic, let sit for 15 minutes (you must do this). Whisk in olive oil and lemon juice. Pour vinaigrette over cabbage mixture, toss and done! Now it's ready to be spooned over the shredded beef in tortillas. So the final product goes like this: tortilla, shredded beef, and cabbage on top. YUM!!! Enjoy!!!

Ok lets be honest. I completely made up the cooking temperatures and times. Just get up in the morning, when you're still cracked out on coffee, and throw everything in the crockpot, probably on high. By evening time it will be fall-apart deliciousness.

Sorry if this is scattered!! I've made this so many times, that I kind of just "do it" now, feel free to ask me if something is unclear. Oh and....

*NOTE: you MUST make the Lemon-Garlic Cole Slaw!!! These tacos just aren't the same without it!!

ANOTHER NOTE: the lemon-garlic vinaigrette is amazing on lots of things (my father-in-law introduced it to me). We just call it the "good dressing" around our house. It's the perfect salad dressing. It's incredible on fish or as a marinade for poultry. Really put it on anything and it will be delectable. I'm serious. Just FYI.

Have a great day friends!! :)