Tacos and Tex-Mex – tortillas, salsa and Mexican ingredients
Ingredients for Mexican tacos: Komali corn tortillas, HariMasa masa harina and a Victoria cast iron tortilla press, salsas, taco seasoning and recipe kits from Gran Luchito, El Yucateco achiote and taco sauces from Smokin' Ed's and Kyrres Krutt. For homebrewers there is also Ægir Taco Fredag, a fresh wort kit for a Mexican lager.
Corn tortillas – buy ready-made or make your own
Ready-made Komali corn tortillas come in 12 cm (25 pcs) and 15 cm (20 pcs, 500 g). They are made from nixtamalised corn and are warmed briefly in a pan, on a griddle or on the grill before serving. 12 cm is the classic size for tacos and tostadas; 15 cm holds more filling and also suits quesadillas and enchiladas.
To make your own, you need masa harina and a tortilla press. HariMasa corn flour is nixtamalised and mixed with water and a little salt. The dough is pressed thin in the 16 cm cast iron Victoria tortilla press and cooked in a pan or on a griddle.
Salsa, seasoning and sauces
Gran Luchito: chipotle, tomatillo and mango salsas, taco seasoning in mild, medium and spicy, chipotle refried beans, cantina beans, smoky chili paste, fire-roasted serrano and crunchy jalapeño with pineapple.
Kyrres Krutt Kiwibber: salsa verde with kiwi, jalapeño and yellow habanero, heat 5 out of 10.
Smokin' Ed's Taco Sauce Mild: taco sauce with chilli, tomato, vinegar and lime juice.
El Yucateco Achiote: liquid seasoning made from annatto seeds from Yucatán, giving meat a red-orange colour. Traditionally used for tacos al pastor.
Birria, al pastor and carnitas
Gran Luchito makes 300 g recipe kits for birria, al pastor, carnitas and barbacoa. The birria kit contains guajillo, pasilla and ancho chillies and suits meat for slow cooking, such as chuck and brisket. The meat is served in tacos with the broth on the side for dipping.
Beer with your tacos
Ægir Taco Fredag is a 20 litre fresh wort kit from Ægir Bryggeri for a pale Mexican lager, developed with tacos in mind. You ferment and package the beer yourself. More ready-made wort kits are in Fresh Wort Kit 20L.
Frequently asked questions about tacos and Tex-Mex
What is masa harina?
Masa harina is flour made from nixtamalised corn. Whole kernels are cooked and soaked in limewater before milling. This gives tortilla aroma and a dough that is pliable and less prone to cracking.
How do I warm corn tortillas?
Warm them briefly in a pan, on a griddle or on the grill just before serving. They become soft and taste better.
What is chipotle?
Chipotle is smoked jalapeño. It gives salsas and marinades a deep, warm and slightly smoky flavour, and works with Mexican dishes and grilled food alike.
What is birria?
Birria is a Mexican dish of meat slow-cooked in a rich sauce of dried chillies, spices and herbs. The meat turns tender and is often served in tacos with the broth for dipping.
