These tacos aren't for the faint of heart. One of the main ingredients is--brace yourself--live crickets, frozen, fried and served up with flank steak and a medley of other taco toppings.
Directions for: Crispy Critter Tacos
Ingredients
Taco Fillingslb(s) live crickets
cup cornstarch
6 (6-inch) corn tortillas
lb(s) flank steak, fat trimmed off and sliced into thin strips
tsp salt
Tbsp cayenne pepper, plus 1 tsp
Tbsp garlic powder
tsp minced garlic
1 tsp oil
2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 cup red wine
1 cup red wine vinegar
cup sugar
1 cup onion, diced
cup cilantro, roughly chopped
Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette2 bunches cilantro, chopped
Zest and juice of 4 limes
cup oil
4 Tbsp minced garlic
cup apple cider vinegar
4 tsp sugar
Directions
Taco Fillings1. Place live crickets in freezer at least 24 hours before eating. Take cornstarch and lightly toss with crickets. Using a fine strainer remove excess cornstarch. Heat oil to 350F (175C) Fry crickets in small batches quickly blanch and place on a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper and repeat until all crickets have been fried.
2. to fry the tortillas slowly heat up oil to 425F (220C). have a rolling pin ready to mold the tortillas. Place 1 tortilla at a time in the properly tempered oil for 1 minute and then flip. after the tortilla starts to bubble place on top of the rolling pin to cool down and form the taco shell shape. Repeat until all tortillas have been fried and molded, set aside on a paper towel.
3. Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
4. in a small bowl mix salt, cayenne pepper, granulated garlic, minced garlic, and oil. Rub mixture thoroughly on the strips of flank steak. Sear the strips for two minutes on each side. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 132F (55C).
5. in a pot add shredded cabbage, red wine, red wine vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Let the cabbage rest in the pot until cooled, then place in fridge.
Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette1. Whisk together all ingredients. Add to blender and pulse until fully mixed.
2. Assembly: Heat the crickets for 2 minutes in oven. Fill taco shells with sliced flank steak, cabbage, and onions. Add crickets, cilantro, and vinaigrette on top. Serve.
See more: Bake, Beef, Fry, Main, Mexican