Lengua

also called lengua · beef tongue · taco de lengua · tacos de lengua · lengua en su jugo · cow tongue

The table

3 lb(1.4 kg; whole)beef tonguesimmer 3 hrpeel hot, trim the rootdice 1/2-incrisp on the comal 6 min
1(halved)white onion
1 head(halved across)garlic
2bay leaves
1 tspblack peppercorns
2 Tbskosher salt
4 qt(3.8 L)water
2 Tbslard
1 tspkosher salt
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.11 things to get out.

Pans and tools

1simmer 3 hr

4crisp on the comal 6 min

goes in with what step 3 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 3 hr 6 min2 of 4 steps give no time
Needs you
about 6 min
If you get it wrong
Forgiving — the skin comes off a hot tongue in one piece and off a cooled one in shreds, and reheating does not get it back

  1. simmer 3 hr

    3 hrwalk awayfrom the start

  2. peel hot, trim the root

    not timed3 hr in

  3. dice 1/2-in

    not timed3 hr in

  4. crisp on the comal 6 min

    6 minneeds you3 hr in

You'll need comal · stockpot

Goes with

See how it is written
>> title: Lengua
>> category: Stews & Braises
>> tags: beef, tongue, mexican, simmer, tacos
>> counters: Taquería
>> aka: lengua, beef tongue, taco de lengua, tacos de lengua, lengua en su jugo, cow tongue
>> pairs-with: corn-tortillas, salsa-verde
>> servings: 8
>> time: 4 hr
>> slack: forgiving — the skin comes off a hot tongue in one piece and off a cooled one in shreds, and reheating does not get it back

>> step: simmer 3 hr
Simmer @beef tongue{3%lb}(1.4 kg; whole), @white onion{1}(halved), @garlic{1%head}(halved across), @bay leaves{2}, @black peppercorns{1%tsp}, and @kosher salt{2%Tbs} in @water{4%qt}(3.8 L) in a #stockpot{} for ~simmer{3%hr}, barely bubbling, until a knife slides into the thick end with no resistance.

>> step: peel hot, trim the root
Peel @&(~1)cooked tongue{} while it is still too hot to hold — the skin comes away in sheets and will not come away at all once it cools — and trim the root end.

>> step: dice 1/2-in
Dice @&(~1)peeled tongue{} into 1/2-in cubes.

>> step: crisp on the comal 6 min
Crisp @&(~1)diced tongue{} on a hot #comal{} in @lard{2%Tbs} with @kosher salt{1%tsp} for ~sear{6%min}, until the cut faces brown and the middle stays soft as pot roast.