Josephine in SF

Vegetable oil, for deep frying

6 fresh medium corn tortillas

Kosher salt

3 cups finely shredded white cabbage

Guacamole, recipe follows

1/4 bunch fresh cilantro leaves

For the simple salsa:

1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained, reserving the juice (recommended: San Marzano)

1 small red onion, roughly chopped

1 Serrano chile

1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

2 limes, juiced

1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Season all sides of the
beef with a fair amount of salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, or
other heavy pot that has a tight cover, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil
over moderately high heat. Add the garlic and the beef to the pot,
browning the meat on all sides, taking the time to get a nice crust on
the outside. Add the onion and allow to lightly brown, about 3 to 4
minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, plus 1 tomato can of water, spices,
season with salt and pepper, to taste, and add enough water to cover
the meat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer with a lid for 3
hours until the meat is fork tender. Let meat cool in the liquid. Shred
meat and set aside.

Heat a large pot of oil over medium heat. When oil reaches 350
degrees F, fry the corn tortillas 1 at a time. Place the tortilla in
the oil and wait about 30 seconds. Then use the handle of a wooden
spoon to press down into the center of the tortilla and fold it in the
middle. Hold down for a few seconds waiting for the tortilla to form
into taco shell and then drain on paper towels. Season with salt.

For the simple salsa:

To make salsa, pulse all the ingredients, except the tomato juice,
in a food processor. Add the reserved tomato juice if the salsa is too
thick. Drizzle salsa with olive oil, cover with plastic wrap and set
aside, allowing the flavors to marry.

To assemble the tacos:

Lay some shredded cabbage as a base. Top with some shredded beef.
Serve alongside Guacamole and salsa. Garnish with fresh cilantro
leaves.

leaves.

Guacamole:

6 ripe avocados

3 limes, juiced

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, smashed then minced

2 serrano chiles, cut into rounds

1 big handful fresh cilantro with stems, about 1/2 cup, finely chopped

Extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Halve and pit the avocados. With a tablespoon, scoop out the flesh
into a mixing bowl. Mash the avocados using either a fork or potato
masher, leaving them still a bit chunky. Add the remaining ingredients,
and fold everything together. Drizzle with a little olive oil, adjust
seasoning with salt and pepper and give it 1 final mix with a fork.

Lay a piece of plastic wrap tight on the surface of the
guacamole so it doesn’t brown and refrigerate for at least 1 hour
before serving.

Yield:  about 4 cups