Justine Schofield's top 10 Mexican recipes (2024)

The cook and TV presenter shares her go-to winter warmers.

Jun 01, 2022 1:54am

By Kayla Wratten

You can spot a Mexican dish by its vibrant colour. Chartreuse limes and guacamole alongside vivid red chillies and tomato salsa; the sunny colour of corn paired with the rich, decadent brown of shredded meat. From eggplant tacos to duck carnitas, this cuisine is sure to inject much-needed vitality into your winter recipe repertoire. "When I think of Mexican food, I think of parties, because it's fun, bright and zingy," says Australian cook Justine Schofield, who created these ten Mexican-inspired recipes with La Banderita.

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Duck and orange carnitasTender duck meat. Orange and chilli salsa. Warm and soft tortillas. These hearty carnitas are just what you need on a crisp Sunday afternoon. Set aside two hours to cook the duck meat until it falls off the bones.

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Beef cheek taquitosA go-to recipe when you're feeding a large group or hosting a party. Cook the beef cheeks before your guests arrive, then serve with avocado, pickled onions, a dollop of sour cream and La Banderita flour tortillas. These soft and fresh tortillas are crafted using traditional Mexican techniques passed down through generations.

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Baked eggs with jalapeno white sauceA quick and easy winter warmer, this baked egg dish can be made in under half an hour. Divide spinach and béchamel sauce between ramekins, then crack in the eggs to bake. Put a spicy twist on béchamel sauce by adding jalapeno and chipotle into the mix.

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Lamb birria tacosBest cooked on a lazy weekend, these nourishing tacos take three hours to create (not to mention overnight chilling time for the shanks). The end result? Juicy shredded lamb and cucumber salsa wrapped up in flour tortillas and fried in lamb fat until crispy. Perfect.

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Charred eggplant tacosFor the vegetarians among us, there's always eggplant tacos. Justine's reliable recipe is created with homemade avocado cream, eggplant brushed in tomato basting sauce, and corn tortillas. Garnish with almonds to add texture.

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Scallop tacosHere comes that aforementioned blast of Mexican colour. The seared scallops are a great visual base for bright charred corn, chopped long red chilli and shredded purple cabbage. As for the tacos, Justine says: "Heat up some of the La Banderita street tacos for about 30 seconds on each side, just in a warm pan without any oil."

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Chicken taquitos with green salsa Like the Mexican version of spring rolls, these BBQ chicken tacquitos are the ultimate crowd-pleasers. Switch up traditional tomato salsa for homemade green salsa. Just blend all the ingredients until smooth for a zesty, refreshing dip.

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Tortilla soupSoup is synonymous with comfort food, and perfect for the cooler season. Justine's spice-heavy recipe sees pulled chicken paired with a delicious tomato mixture. Serve with golden and crisp tortilla strips.

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Braised beans with soft boiled eggs Another vegetarian favourite, this Mexican dish swaps meat for kidney beans and lentils doused in spices and honey. It's stuffed with lightly caramelised vegetables and soft boiled eggs and served with warm tacos on the side, making for a wholesome and satiating dinner.

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Cumin crusted leg of lamb These impressive lamb tacos are a real showstopper. Reserve two hours to prepare the star ingredient: The cumin crusted lamb. Just before serving, warm the tortillas in a dry pan over medium heat. For the filling, Justine says: "Carve really thin pieces of this lamb, add the delicious pan juices, a crumble of feta, fold the taco over, and tuck in."

Brought to you by La Banderita. Available in a variety of size and pack combinations, find the product range in Harris Farm, Woolies Metro, IGA, COSTCO and a great number of specialty stores and gourmet markets.

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Justine Schofield's top 10 Mexican recipes (2024)

FAQs

What food is similar to tacos? ›

Tacos, burritos,tostadas, enchiladas, chilaquiles, tamales, quesadillas,guacamole and even nachos. These are typically street food Mexican dishes.

What type of food are tacos? ›

taco, an internationally popular hand-sized food item of Mexican origin combining seasoned meat, vegetables, and other fillings and served inside a folded or rolled corn or flour tortilla.

What kind of meat do Mexicans use for tacos? ›

If you head into your nearest Backyard Taco, you'll find the four most common types of Mexican meat today, which are carne asada, shredded chicken, al Pastor, and birria. All four of these protein options can be combined with a number of other ingredients to create different dishes found in Mexican cuisine.

What kind of meat is al pastor? ›

The Al Pastor meat is usually made from boneless pork shoulder, which is a triangular cut from the area just above the front leg of the pig. Butchers often sell pork shoulder with the skin on and a layer of fat. The al pastor taco has to be cooked on a rotating spit.

What are crispy tacos called? ›

Tacos Dorados

The result is crispy, crunchy deliciousness. Tacos Dorados are generally served with crumbled “queso fresco” (cheese made from raw cow and goat milk), sour cream and shredded lettuce on top. Salsa and/or guacamole may be served on the side.

Is eating tacos healthy? ›

It's easy to make a healthy meal with tacos! Tacos are an overall balanced dish, pairing carbs with protein and vegetables. To make the healthiest tacos, choose corn tortillas, a high-protein filling, and top with plenty of vegetables.

What is a flat taco called? ›

What Is a Tostada? A tostada has a pretty simple construction: it's like a taco, but flat. It's usually made with a fried corn tortilla, topped with refried beans, shredded cheese, salsa, and other toppings.

What can I serve besides tacos? ›

  • Elote (Mexican Street Corn) PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE. ...
  • Fiesta Corn Salad. PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE. ...
  • Refried Pinto Beans. LUCY SCHAEFFER. ...
  • Corn Tortillas. ...
  • Instant Pot Street Corn Queso. ...
  • Beef Empanadas. ...
  • Homemade Salsa. ...
  • Black Bean & Corn Salad.
Apr 12, 2024

What can you replace taco meat with? ›

Meatless Tacos: 10 Options to Consider Instead of Meat
  1. Black beans.
  2. Chickpeas.
  3. Mushrooms.
  4. Butternut squash.
  5. Quinoa.
  6. Tofu.
  7. Lentils.
  8. Cauliflower.
May 18, 2022

What is the alternative meaning of taco? ›

This meaning of the Spanish word "taco" is a Mexican innovation, but the word "taco" is used in other contexts to mean "wedge; wad, plug; billiard cue; blowpipe; ramrod; short, stocky person; [or] short, thick piece of wood." The etymological origin of this sense of the word is Germanic and has cognates in other ...

Are tacos and burritos similar? ›

Tacos are generally a lighter snack or meal, so they have a smaller tortilla shell. On the other hand, burritos are a hearty, full meal, and they are often wrapped in a larger tortilla. Burritos use flour tortillas as corn tortillas (used for tacos) tend to fall apart more easily.

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