Braised Lamb Tacos - Rachael Ray

Total Time: 4 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 (4 -5 lb) boneless lamb shoulder
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 onions, cut into wedges, root end attached
• 4 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped oregano leaves, half a palmful
• 2 red chilies, thinly sliced
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle mexican
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 4 oranges, juiced about 2 cups
• 1 chipotle pepper, seeded and finely chopped, plus 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar or 1 1/2 cups white balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 small red onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup drained sliced store-bought pickled jalapeno peppers or 1 cup banana pepper ring
• 1/4 head red cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup crumbled queso fresco or 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
• 16 corn or 16 flour tortillas

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 325 degrees f. season the lamb generously with salt and pepper, to taste, and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• 2 pat the lamb dry with a paper towel. heat a large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over high heat with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 2 turns of the pan. put the lamb in the pot and evenly brown the meat all over, it will take about 10 to 12 minutes; remove the lamb to a plate and reserve.
• 3 turn heat down to medium-high, and add the extra-virgin olive oil to the pot, a couple of turns of the pan. add the onions and garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, the oregano, 1 sliced chili pepper and 2 bay leaves and cook for 7 to 8 minutes. deglaze the pot with the , scraping up the bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. stir in the chicken stock and orange juice. add the reserved lamb back to the pot (the liquid should come about 2/3 the way up the meat) and bring to a simmer. cover and put the lamb in the oven, turning the meat halfway through cooking, until the meat is very tender, about 2 1/2-3 hours. remove the lamb from the pot, to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. when cool enough to handle, pull the meat apart with 2 forks.
• 4 simmer the braising liquid over medium heat until reduced by half. add the chipotle and adobo sauce and the lime juice. add about 2/3 of the shredded meat and stir. cool the remaining shredded lamb and chill for another use.
• 5 while the lamb is cooking, prepare the pickled red onions: in a small saucepot, bring the white vinegar, sugar, teaspoon of salt, remaining chili pepper and bay leaves to a simmer over low heat. put the sliced red onions in a small sealable container. carefully pour the hot liquid over the onions, cover and give it a shake. you may need to lift the lid to release some of the pressure. every now and then, give it a good shake. refrigerate to cool.
• 6 to serve, put the chipotle pulled lamb on a platter and garnish with pickled onions and pickled jalapeno slices. serve with shredded cabbage, crumbled cheese and tortillas for wrapping.