Pulled Beef Barbacoa in Soft Shell Tacos

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Get your taco fix at home with this slow-cooked beef. It’s packed with flavour and perfect for Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas.

PICKLED RED ONIONS

2 small red onions

¾ cup white vinegar

1 cup water

¼ cup sugar

1 tablespoon salt

BEEF BARBACOA

1kg boneless beef roast, such as bolar,

topside or brisket

1 teaspoon ground cumin

100g chipotle peppers in adobo

sauce, finely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 cups liquid beef stock

TO SERVE

12 flour tortillas

1 avocado, flesh diced

Sliced pickled jalapeño chillies Sliced red capsicum Sprigs of fresh coriander Lime wedges

Pickled red onions: Use a sharp knife or mandoline if you have one to thinly slice the onions; place the onions into a 500ml-capacity jar. In a small pot, heat the vinegar, water, sugar and salt over a medium heat, just until the sugar dissolves. Pour the liquid onto the onions. Chill for 2-3 hours. The pickled onions are ready once they are a bright pink colour and are tender.

Beef barbacoa: Heat a little oil in a frying pan set over a high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper then place in the pan and sear on both sides for about 2 minutes. Place the beef into a slow cooker.

Add the cumin, chipotle pepper and adobo sauce to the pan and cook for 30 seconds then add the lime juice and stock to deglaze the pan. Bring to the boil then pour the liquid over the beef in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 8 hours. Alternatively, cook in a covered pot on the stove set over low heat for 8 hours or until very tender.

Once cooked, remove the meat to a bowl and use two forks to pull it apart into shreds. Transfer the beef cooking liquid to a pot and simmer hard for 5-10 minutes to reduce and thicken. Pour the liquid over the shredded meat and let it soak up the juices until ready to serve.

To serve: Warm the tortillas in a hot oven or dry frying pan. Top each tortilla with some pulled beef, pickled red onion and other toppings of your choice. Serve with lime wedges on the side, to squeeze over. Serves 6