3018. BACON, CHEESE and JALAPENO TACOS

makes eight tacos 


4 jalapeños 
1/2 pound thick-cut smoked bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces 
2 ounces shredded smoked Gouda cheese (1 cup) 
2 ounces shredded asadero or Monterey Jack cheese (1 cup) 
2 ounces finely grated Cotija cheese or ricotta salata (1/2 cup) 
8 corn tortillas 
salsa verde and sour cream, for serving 

Roast the jalapeños directly over a gas flame or under a preheated broiler, turning, until charred all over. Let cool. Using a paper towel, rub off the skins and discard the stems. Thinly slice the chiles crosswise, keeping most of the seeds. 

Heat a large rimmed cast-iron griddle or a cast-iron skillet. Add the bacon to the griddle and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat is rendered and the bacon is nearly crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour off all of the fat and wipe the griddle clean. 

Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss the Gouda with the asadero and Cotija cheeses. 

Warm the tortillas on the griddle over moderate heat, turning once, until pliable, about 1 minute. Transfer the tortillas to a work surface. Fill the tortillas with the bacon, jalapeños and mixed cheeses and fold in half. Griddle the tacos, turning once and pressing gently with a spatula, until browned in spots and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the tacos to a platter and serve with salsa verde and sour cream.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rayme Rossello, Food & Wine, May 2013