Carne Asada Plate, Flour Tortillas, Grilled Onions and Tex-Mex Refried Beans

Ingredients

• 2.5 cup All-Purpose Flour (About 300g)
• 1.5 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.33 cup Lard (Chilled. For a vegetarian option, use vegetable shortening.)
• 0.75 cup Warm Water (Approximately 110°F / 43°C)

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine Dry Ingredients (2 minutes)

   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
2. 2

   Cut in the Fat (3 minutes)

   • Add the chilled lard or shortening to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs.
3. 3

   Form and Knead the Dough (5 minutes)

   • Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the warm water. Mix with a fork or your hand until a shaggy dough forms.
   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes until it becomes smooth, soft, and elastic. Avoid over-kneading.
4. 4

   Rest the Dough (30 minutes)

   • Form the dough into a ball, place it back in the bowl, and cover with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
   • Let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step relaxes the gluten, making the tortillas tender and easy to roll.
5. 5

   Divide and Roll (10 minutes)

   • After resting, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces (about 45g each) and roll each piece into a smooth ball.
   • Keep the dough balls covered with the towel to prevent them from drying out.
   • On a lightly floured surface, take one ball, flatten it with your palm, and use a rolling pin to roll it into a thin, 8-inch (20 cm) circle. Rotate the dough as you roll to maintain a circular shape.
   • Stack rolled tortillas with a small piece of parchment paper between each to prevent sticking.
6. 6

   Cook the Tortillas (10 minutes)

   • Heat a dry cast-iron skillet, comal, or non-stick pan over medium-high heat until it is very hot (a drop of water should sizzle and evaporate instantly).
   • Carefully place one tortilla onto the hot surface. Cook for about 30-45 seconds, until large bubbles begin to form.
   • Flip the tortilla and cook for another 20-30 seconds on the other side. It should have light golden-brown spots and puff up in places. Do not overcook, or it will become stiff.
7. 7

   Keep Warm and Serve

   • As each tortilla is cooked, immediately transfer it to a tortilla warmer or a plate and cover with a clean kitchen towel.
   • Stacking them traps the steam, which is essential for keeping them soft and pliable. Serve warm.

Ingredients

• 2 large Sweet Onion (Such as Vidalia or Walla Walla)
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 0.5 tsp Salt (Or to taste)
• 0.25 tsp Black Pepper (Freshly ground is best)
• 0.25 tsp Garlic Powder (Optional, for extra flavor)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat and prepare the grill. Set your grill to medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature of 400-450°F (200-230°C). Once hot, clean the grates thoroughly with a grill brush and then lightly oil them with a paper towel dipped in a high-smoke-point oil to prevent sticking. This step takes about 5-10 minutes.

2. 2

   Prepare the onions. Peel the outer papery skin from the onions, leaving the root end intact to help hold the slices together. Slice the onions crosswise into thick rings, about 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick. In a large bowl, gently toss the onion slices with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder (if using) until they are evenly coated.

3. 3

   Grill the onion slices. Carefully place the seasoned onion slices directly on the hot, oiled grill grates. Grill for 4-6 minutes on the first side, with the lid closed, until they become tender and develop deep, caramelized grill marks. Avoid moving them around too much to get a good char.

4. 4

   Flip and finish grilling. Using a wide, sturdy spatula, carefully flip the onion slices. Grill for another 4-5 minutes on the second side, or until they are tender-crisp and nicely charred. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your slices and the heat of your grill.

5. 5

   Serve immediately. Remove the onions from the grill and transfer them to a serving platter. Serve hot as a side dish or as a topping for burgers, steaks, or sausages. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Lard (Can substitute with bacon drippings or vegetable oil)
• 1 pcs White Onion (Medium, finely chopped)
• 3 clove Garlic (Minced)
• 2 can Canned Pinto Beans (15 oz cans, drained and rinsed)
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• 0.5 tsp Chili Powder (American-style mild chili powder)
• 0.75 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
• 0.25 tsp Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
• 0.5 cup Water (Or vegetable broth, plus more as needed)
• 2 tbsp Cotija Cheese (Crumbled, for garnish (optional))
• 1 tbsp Fresh Cilantro (Chopped, for garnish (optional))

Instructions

1. 1

   Sauté Aromatics

   • Heat the lard or oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
   • Once shimmering, add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
2. 2

   Bloom the Spices

   • Stir in the ground cumin and chili powder.
   • Cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant. This step, known as blooming, deepens their flavor.
3. 3

   Simmer the Beans

   • Add the drained and rinsed pinto beans to the skillet, along with 1/2 cup of water or vegetable broth.
   • Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
   • Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the beans cook for 5-7 minutes to soften and absorb the flavors.
4. 4