Birria Tacos (Quesa Birria)

Directions

1. 1
   Season the chuck roast and short ribs with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. 2
   Add one tablespoon of the reserved fat to a large skillet and heat over medium high heat.
3. 3
   Bring a pot of water to a boil and remove from the heat.
4. 4
   Dip the tortillas in the stew and add the tortillas to the heated skillet. (You may have to work one at a time depending on how big your skillet is.)
5. 5
   Soak the guajillo and ancho chilis for 10 minutes.
6. 6
   Immediately top the tortilla with the shredded Oaxaca cheese. When the cheese has melted, add some of the shredded beef and fold one side of the tortilla over the other. Fry until crisp.
7. 7
   Remove the peppers from the water.
8. 8
   Using a spatula, transfer the taco to a platter and keep warm.
9. 9
   Cut off the stem and remove the seeds.
10. 10
    Repeat with the remaining tortillas. (You will have leftover Birria meat. Save for another dinner.)
11. 11
    Put the peppers into the pitcher of a blender.
12. 12
    Top the finished Birria Tacos with chopped onion, queso Fresco, or cilantro, if desired.
13. 13
    Add one chipotle pepper, all of the adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin and cayenne.
14. 14
    Serve with some of the stew broth for dipping!
15. 15
    Blend the marinade until smooth.
16. 16
    Place the meat in a large container and cover with the marinade. Toss to coat. Cover and marinade for 4 hours or overnight.
17. 17
    Preheat oven to 300˚F.
18. 18
    Heat the olive oil to a large dutch oven over medium heat.
19. 19
    Add the onions and cook until softened.
20. 20
    Transfer the meat and all of the marinade to the pot.
21. 21
    Stir in the cinnamon sticks, cloves and beef stock.
22. 22
    Cover and transfer to the oven. Braise the meat for 3 hours.
23. 23
    Remove the Birria stew from the oven and skim off some of the fat. Reserve the fat to cook the tacos.
24. 24
    With a slotted spoon, remove the stew meat to a platter and shred with two forks.
25. 25
    Return the meat to the pot and stir to combine.