Citrus-Braised Pork Tacos, Shredded Chicken Tacos, Steak Tacos, California Fish Tacos

Free access to recipes, equipment reviews, taste test results, and online cooking school courses. [Log In] [America's Test Kitchen] [FIND RECIPES] [START FREE WEB TRIAL] Notes from the Test Kitchen [Tacos for Every Taste] August 5, 2016 Tacos for Every Taste Tacos are incredibly versatile—the possibilities are endless when it comes to filling and topping combinations. You can make them simple for weeknight dinners or go all out for the ultimate taco-eating experience. This week we feature four traditional recipes, each utilizing a different protein—pork, chicken, beef, or fish. Explore Mexican cuisine even further with our [Online Cooking School]’s Mexican Classics course and our cookbook [The Best Mexican Recipes]. Who says tacos are just for Tuesdays? [Citrus-Braised Pork Tacos] [Citrus-Braised Pork Tacos] If you’re craving pork, try our [Citrus-Braised Pork Tacos] (this recipe was a huge hit in the test kitchen during its development). For inspiration, we turned to cochinita pibil , a traditional, richly flavored Mexican dish for which a whole suckling pig is swaddled in bitter orange juice and banana leaves and nestled under a pile of hot coals to stew. Our recipe makes it far easier for home cooks to translate this dish in their own kitchens. For starters, we use pork butt instead of the whole pig. Banana leaves and annatto are hard to find, so we add bay leaves (for herbal flavor), Worcestershire sauce (for meaty tanginess), and tomato paste (for vibrant color). [View Recipe] [Shredded Chicken Tacos (Tinga de Pollo)] [Shredded Chicken Tacos (Tinga de Pollo)] Chicken tacos are best for busy weeknights when you want a filling meal that cooks up quickly and easily. In our recipe for [Shredded Chicken Tacos], flavorful boneless thighs cook directly in the sauce for a much more manageable one-pot meal. Fire-roasted tomatoes increase smokiness, lime juice and zest brighten the flavor, and a dash of brown sugar adds a balancing sweetness. Read more about [recipe development]. [View Recipe] [Steak Tacos] [Steak Tacos] Elevate your beef tacos by using flank steak. While you can use the grill, our Online Cooking School course shows you how to [translate authentic Mexican carne asada indoors]. Watch the step-by-step tutorial as we demonstrate how cutting the steak lengthwise into four long strips allows for additional browning surface area, crisped edges, and heartier flavor. We rub the meat with salt for juiciness and coat it with a potent herb paste with lots of cilantro, garlic, scallions, jalapeño, and cumin. Serve the tacos with more fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped red or white onion, and lime wedges. We also highly recommend serving them with our [Sweet and Spicy Pickled Onions]. [View Course] [California Fish Tacos] [California Fish Tacos] A lighter but equally delicious option for tacos comes from the sea. The West Coast is known for [simple, satisfying, fresh fish tacos] that combine fried fish, sliced cabbage, and a creamy white sauce in corn tortillas. We toss mild but sturdy whitefish (we recommend cod, halibut, or haddock) in an ultrathin beer batter for golden-brown, crispy results. Pickled red onions and jalapeños add color and spice to the tacos, and we use a portion of the vinegary pickling liquid to dress shredded cabbage. Our creamy white sauce gets tang from lime juice and sour cream, and fresh cilantro leaves provide the finishing touch. [View Recipe] [America's Test Kitchen Online Cooking School: Become a better cook. Guaranteed.] Recommended Equipment for Tacos [Lodge Color Enamel 6-Quart Dutch Oven] Rice: ★★★ Stew: ★★★ Fries: ★★★ Dutch ovens are foolproof vessels for frying, braising, roasting, or simmering your taco filling. Crafted from enameled cast iron, this extremely affordable Dutch oven from Lodge performed well in all of our tests, producing deeply flavored meats and crispy fried foods. [Learn More →] [BUY NOW] [Imusa 12-inch Cloth Tortilla Warmer] Heat Retention: ★★★ Tortilla Compatibility: ★★★ When it comes to tacos, you know you’ll need more than one tortilla for yourself and plenty of tortillas if you’re cooking for a crowd. Keep those tortillas warm with this simple, brightly colored fabric warmer from Imusa. After a 30-second stint in the microwave, it keeps tortillas hot for just shy of an hour and a half, and it fits even the largest wraps. The fabric wicks moisture from the tortillas but holds it close, so they stay soft and pliable, not soggy. [Learn More →] [BUY NOW] [OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Locking Tongs] Hard Items: ★★★ Soft Items: ★★★ Large Items: ★★★ Small Items: ★★ Handle Comfort: ★★★ A pair of reliable tongs will be your lifesaver when serving tacos. Grab any amount of filling with ease using this 12-inch model from OXO that received top ratings in our review. [Learn More →] [BUY NOW] [Pyrex Smart Essentials Mixing Bowl Set with Colored Lids] Durability: ★★★ Ease of Use: ★★★ Performance: ★★★ Mix white sauce in one bowl and beer batter in another for fish tacos using this top-rated glass bowl set from Pyrex. Even though these bowls are heavier, they never feel cumbersome to handle, thanks to their shallow, gently curved walls and easy-to-grip rims. Notably, they did not break when we dropped them. If you ever need to store leftovers, the tight-fitting lids keep food well protected. [Learn More →] [BUY NOW] News and Events [Watch our latest Facebook Live video on Knife Skills] [Watch our latest Facebook Live video on Knife Skills →] Tune in next week for a segment on Spices and Seasonings and a segment on Coffee-Making Hacks. 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