Lamb Barbacoa in Adobo
Barbacoa is one of those iconic Mexican foods. Juicy, tender meat that falls off the bone, infused with a rustic, smoky flavor and a jungle like fragrance. It uses a cooking technique that began in ancient times, long before the Spanish arrived, and it lives on to this day across Mexico in places that specialize in making it. Of course, there are accessible homestyle versions too.
- Prep time
- 3 hr
- Cook time
- 8 hr
- Yield
- 12 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 10 dried guajillo chile peppers (stemmed and seeded)
- 10 dried ancho chile peppers (stemmed and seeded)
- 5 cup water
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 medium Roma tomato (cut into quarters)
- 1/2 medium white onion (coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup))
- 3 medium cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 5 whole cloves (stems removed)
- 2+1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt
- 3 tbsp safflower or vegetable oil
- 2 medium white onions (coarsely chopped (about 2 1/2 cups))
- 1+1/2 lb carrots (peeled and cut crosswise into chunks)
- 1+1/2 lb red potatoes (peeler and cut into large cubes)
- 8 oz dried garbanzo beans (soaked overnight in 3 cups of very hot water, then drained)
- 12 oz light colored beer (such as Corona, 1 bottle)
- 3 cup water
- A few bay leaves
- 1+1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt
- 8 lb bone-in leg or shoulder of lamb (or both)
- 1 lb Banana leaves
- 5 to 6 fresh or dried avocado leaves (optional)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- Warmed corn tortillas
Instructions
- 1
Heat a large, dry skillet over medium heat. Add the dried chile peppers and toast them for no more than 20 seconds per side, taking care not to burn them.
- 2
Transfer them to a medium saucepan and add the water, place over medium heat and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until the peppers have softened and rehydrated.
- 3
Transfer the peppers to a blender. Add 2 cups of their cooking liguid (discard the remaining liquid), the vinegar, tomato, onion, garlic, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, cloves (stems removed) and salt; puree until smooth.
- 4
Wipe out the medium saucepan and add the oil. Place over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the pureed marinade, being careful to avoid any splatters. Partially cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the color darkens and the mixture thickens to a pastelike consistency.
- 5
Rinse the lamb and pat dry with paper towels. Place in in a large, nonreactive dish. Use the marinade to cover it completely, rubbing the mixture into the meat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours.
- 6
Just before the lamb is finished marinating, prepare the vegetable base. Have a large roasting pan at hand with a rack that fits inside, preferable with some space underneath. Remove the lamb from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before you place it in the over.
- 7
Combine the onions, carrots, potatoes, and soaked and drained garbanzo beans in a large raosting pan. Pour the beer and water over the top. Add the bay leaves and season with salt to taste; toss to combine. Place the roasting rack over the mixture.
- 8
Preheat the over to 325 degrees.
- 9
Unfold the banana leaves and arrange a few layers of them on the roasting rack, leaving a generous amound of overlap on the pan long sides for wrapping the meat (alternatively, you may use a few long pieces of aluminum foil). Place the meat on top of the leaves and use all of the marinade to cover it. PLace the avocado leaves, if using, on top of the meat, then fold the leaves over to cover the meat. If using the foil, poke a few small holes near the bottom edges to allow the meats juices to fall into the vegetable base below during cooking. The juices will natually fall through the spaces between the banana leaves.
- 10
Cover the banana leaf package or foil package tightly with a layer of foil. Slow-roast for 8 to 10 hours; until the meat comes off the bone easily and the vegetables should be well seasoned and tender. Transfer to the stovetop (off of the heat), and let everything rest for 15 to 20 minutes before opening the package. Discard the avocado leaves, if using.
- 11
Serve with lime wedges, warmed corn tortilla and a salsa you like.