Considered to be one of the most vile looking items at the grocery store, beef tongue is the most underappreciated part of the cow outside of the Hispanic population. It looks like a large slug, and looks even worse vacuum packed. But, beef tongue is actually delicious. Surprisingly delicious. And it's my job to convince you to give it a try.
Beef tongue or lengua, has been prepared and consumed for centuries in North and South America. In early days, many believed in using all parts of an animal, so the tongue became a source of food for this reason. Most commonly seen in street taco stands all over the world, lengua has become a favorite among some of the greatest chefs in the world. Just ask Anthony Bourdain. It is best served in a corn tortilla with chopped onions, cilantro, and avocado. Add a dab of hot sauce, and you are in business. But I must warn you, do not give any lengua to your dog. They will get sick, my dearly departed chihuahua Nico got sick once eating lengua, but she survived. I assure lengua is fantastic. If you have ever had barbacoa, there is a good chance you have already had it. Surprise!
So, how is it prepared? The way I start preparing it is to boil it in a gallon boiling pot of water for 4 hours. This makes the meat tender, and also makes the lengua juicier. You then remove the lengua from the pot and slice it into quarter inch portions. You then take a skillet, add a slight amount of vegetable oil, and cook the slices of lengua in light medium heat. Once cooked, you can consume the lengua sliced, diced, or just in the portion you cooked in the skillet. It it as the main course of a dinner. Try it as a delicious taco. Put it in your sandwich. Beef tongue tastes great. I think everyone should try it. Except your dog. But you as a human being who loves trying new things......give lengua a try.
