Carne Asada Tacos with a Molecular Twist

Ingredients

While the original Carne Asada Tacos are known for their simplicity and bold flavors, this molecular gastronomy adaptation adds a touch of complexity and visual appeal. The ingredients are deconstructed and reimagined, resulting in a unique and avant-garde presentation. The flavors remain true to the original, but the textures and techniques used create a truly extraordinary dining experience. We alse have the original recipe for Carne asada tacos, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef tenderloin, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) beef tenderloin, thinly sliced
• 10g (0.35 oz) sodium alginate 10g (0.35 oz) sodium alginate
• 500ml (2 cups) water 500ml (2 cups) water
• 5g (0.18 oz) calcium lactate 5g (0.18 oz) calcium lactate
• 200g (7 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved 200g (7 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
• 1 lime, juiced 1 lime, juiced
• 10g (0.35 oz) agar agar 10g (0.35 oz) agar agar
• 500ml (2 cups) orange juice 500ml (2 cups) orange juice
• 10g (0.35 oz) xanthan gum 10g (0.35 oz) xanthan gum
• 8 small tortillas 8 small tortillas
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 12g (5g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 25g (8g sugars)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, dissolve the sodium alginate in water. Let it sit for 30 minutes until fully dissolved.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, dissolve the calcium lactate in water. Let it sit for 30 minutes until fully dissolved.
3. 3.
   Marinate the beef tenderloin slices with lime juice, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
4. 4.
   Take a spoonful of the sodium alginate solution and carefully drop it into the calcium lactate solution, forming small spheres. Repeat until all the beef slices are transformed into spheres. Let them sit in the calcium lactate solution for 5 minutes.
5. 5.
   Remove the beef spheres from the calcium lactate solution and rinse them with water.
6. 6.
   In a blender, combine the cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
7. 7.
   In a saucepan, bring the orange juice to a boil. Sprinkle the agar agar over the boiling juice and whisk continuously for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
8. 8.
   Once the orange juice mixture has cooled, blend it with xanthan gum until it thickens.
9. 9.
   Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat.
10. 10.
    Assemble the tacos by placing a spoonful of the tomato mixture on each tortilla, followed by a few beef spheres. Drizzle the orange gel on top.
11. 11.
    Serve immediately and enjoy the molecular twist on Carne Asada Tacos!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef tenderloin — For best results, choose a high-quality cut of beef tenderloin and slice it thinly against the grain.
• Sodium alginate — Ensure that the sodium alginate is fully dissolved in water to achieve the desired texture for the beef spheres.
• Agar agar — When adding agar agar to the orange juice, make sure to whisk continuously to prevent clumping.
• Xanthan gum — Blend the orange juice mixture with xanthan gum until it thickens to create a gel-like consistency.

Tips & Tricks

• Experiment with different flavors for the beef spheres by adding spices or marinades to the meat before transforming it into spheres.
• Play with the texture of the orange gel by adjusting the amount of xanthan gum. More xanthan gum will result in a thicker gel.
• For added visual appeal, garnish the tacos with microgreens or edible flowers.
• If you don't have access to sodium alginate and calcium lactate, you can try using other spherification techniques such as reverse spherification or frozen reverse spherification.
• Serve the tacos on a modern and minimalist plate to enhance the futuristic presentation.

Serving advice

Serve the Carne Asada Tacos immediately after assembling to ensure the beef spheres are still tender and the orange gel is at its best consistency. Accompany the tacos with a side of fresh salsa and guacamole for a burst of traditional Mexican flavors.

Presentation advice

Arrange the tacos on a rectangular plate, placing them in a diagonal line. Drizzle the orange gel in a zigzag pattern across the tacos. Garnish with microgreens or edible flowers for an elegant touch. The vibrant colors and unique textures will captivate your guests.