Mexican-Style Plate
Get ready to indulge in a delicious Mexican-style plate that brings a burst of flavors to your table! This dish is hearty, vibrant, and perfect for gatherings or a family dinner. With mouthwatering beef short ribs, fresh nopales, and creamy avocado, you will fall in love with every bite. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe!
Why make this recipe?
Making a Mexican-style plate is a fantastic way to experience authentic Mexican flavors right in your home. Not only is it a hearty meal that’s perfect for sharing, but it also features fresh ingredients that are both nutritious and delicious. Plus, the grilling and chopping involved in preparation add a fun element to your cooking experience.
How to prepare Mexican-Style Plate
Gather your ingredients and follow these simple steps to create your Mexican-style plate!
Ingredients
- 1–2 lbs beef short ribs (flanken-cut) 🥩
- Salt 🧂
- Pepper 🧂
- Garlic powder (optional) 🧄
- Lime (optional) 🍋
- 2–3 fresh nopales (cleaned and de-spined) 🌿
- Olive oil (optional) 🫒
- Lime juice (optional) 🍋
- 6–8 cambray onions (or spring onions) 🧅
- 2–3 ripe avocados 🥑
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 🧅
- 1/2 tomato, diced 🍅
- 1 chile serrano or jalapeño (optional), finely chopped 🌶️
- 1–2 tablespoons lime juice 🍋
- Salt to taste 🧂
- Cilantro (optional) 🌿
- 2 cups masa harina 🌽
- 1 1/2 cups warm water 💧
- Pinch of salt 🧂
Instructions
- Prepare the beef short ribs: Season the beef short ribs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If desired, squeeze some lime juice over them for flavor.
- Grill the ribs: Place the seasoned short ribs on a hot grill and cook for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are tender.
- Cook the nopales: While the ribs are grilling, heat a little olive oil in a pan. Add the fresh nopales and cook for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender. Season with salt.
- Grill the cambray onions: Add the cambray onions to the grill during the last 5 minutes of cooking the ribs, turning them until slightly charred.
- Prepare the avocado salsa: In a bowl, mix the chopped onion, diced tomato, finely chopped chile (if using), lime juice, and salt. Add diced avocado and gently stir.
- Make tortillas: In another bowl, mix the masa harina, warm water, and a pinch of salt to form a dough. Divide into small balls and flatten each ball into a tortilla shape. Cook the tortillas on a hot skillet for about 1-2 minutes on each side.
- Serve warm: Serve the grilled short ribs, nopales, cambray onions, avocado salsa, and freshly made tortillas together on a platter. 🌮
How to serve Mexican-Style Plate
To serve your Mexican-style plate, place the grilled beef short ribs on a large platter, accompanied by the nopales and cambray onions. Offer the avocado salsa in a bowl on the side, along with the freshly made tortillas. Let everyone build their own tacos, adding their favorite toppings as they go. Enjoy the feast! 🎉
How to store Mexican-Style Plate
If you have leftovers, store the grilled beef, nopales, and other components in airtight containers in the refrigerator. They will keep well for about 2-3 days. You can reheat the beef and nopales before serving again. To keep tortillas fresh, store them in a separate container, wrapped in a cloth.
Tips for preparing Mexican-Style Plate
- Flavor Boost: Marinate the beef short ribs overnight for even more flavor.
- Nopal Substitutes: If you can’t find nopales, you can use grilled zucchini or bell peppers.
- Spice it up: Adjust the amount of chile in the avocado salsa to suit your spice preference.
Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute the beef short ribs with grilled mushrooms or a soy-based protein for a vegetarian plate.
- Different Salsas: Try mixing in other salsas or sauces like pico de gallo or a spicy chipotle salsa for extra flavor.
FAQs
Can I use different cuts of beef?
Yes! You can use other beef cuts like flank steak or even pork, depending on your preference.
Is this recipe spicy?
The spiciness primarily comes from the chile serrano or jalapeño. You can adjust the amount or omit it completely if you prefer a milder dish.
Can I make the tortillas ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the tortillas in advance and reheat them in a pan or microwave before serving.
Now that you have everything you need to create a Mexican-style plate, gather your ingredients and enjoy a flavorful cooking adventure! 🌮🥑🎉