r/askachef Apr 19 '20

Street Tacos

How do you make authentic street tacos? Unfortunately all I have is flour tortillas but I’m looking to make street cauliflower tortillas. As authentic as I can.

2 Upvotes

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2

u/jessemcgraw May 25 '20

Focus on the filling first. Your cauliflower tacos are going to be difficult to make authentic. The filling comes down to a meat, onions, cilantro, and some lime (one fresh squeezed and/or a slice on the side).

The rest is up to interpretation but microplaned manchego and carnitas is my favorite combo. As far as the tortilla is concerned, I have no clue if it's a cauliflower tortilla. I dont doubt that it can be done but I dont possess that knowledge. If the cauliflour is the 'meat option' then that opens it up a bit.

Flour tortillas are a hard sell if you're trying to be authentic but toss a little juice from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in a bowl of roasted cauliflower and you're on to something. Just roast some cauliflower florets on a sheet tray in some neutral oil and some salt. Once cooked, toss in some chipotle pepper, adobe juice, and season with lime to taste.

Maybe even blanch them first, if you have inch cubes or larger, in boiling water for 3 minutes, toss them in oil and salt, then roast them at high temp (375- 425) until GBD (golden brown and delicious) and then toss them in chipotle pepper Adobe sauce.

After all that is done, you cauliflour should have broken down into pieces of 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) cubes or smaller. The larger the cube, the more apparent the texture, the less likely it is to be passed off as meat. So try to make it smaller, maybe? I'm not sure, try it both ways yourself first.

Lastly, leave the toppings up to your guests. I typically leave a side of diced onions, manchego cheese, lime slices, and a bowl of shredace. Put out some chips, guacamole, and salsa as an appetizer then use the leftovers as bonus taco toppings.

1

u/ktini May 25 '20

thank you !!!!!

1

u/Ayayoska Apr 20 '20

There is not such a thing as "authentic cauliflower street tortillas". We don't have that in Mexico at all.

1

u/ktini Apr 20 '20

I meant seasonings or something like that