Chimichangas

Ingredients

For the meat and potato filling:

• 2 pounds beef chuck round or stewing meat, cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces
• 1/2 white onion
• 6 garlic cloves peeled
• 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3/4 pound, 3 medium, potatoes peeled and diced (about 2 cups)

For the chimichangas:

• 8 to 12 large flour tortillas
• 2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cups shredded Romaine or iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup crumbled queso fresco
• 1 cup salsa of your choice
• 1 cup Mexican crema

Instructions

1. 1
   Make the meat and potato filling: Place the meat in a large soup pot or casserole and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Skim off any foam. Add the halved onion, garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons of the salt, black peppercorns, bay leaves, oregano, coriander and cumin seeds, and stir well. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours, or until the meat is fork tender and shreds easily. Remove from the heat.
2. 2
   Remove the meat from the broth, set aside, and strain the broth. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the broth for later use and store or freeze the rest if you want to use it for something else. Once the meat has cooled enough to handle, shred or chop into smaller pieces.
3. 3
   Heat the oil in a large wide casserole or skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes, season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes have begun to brown. Stir in the shredded meat and reserved meat broth and cook until the broth is mostly absorbed, the potatoes have completely softened, and the mixture is nicely amalgamated and delicious. It should be moist but not wet.
4. 4
   To make the chimichangas: Heat a comal or skillet over medium-low heat for at least 3 to 4 minutes. Heat the flour tortillas for about a minute per side, until completely heated through. One by one, top the tortillas with a couple of generous spoonfuls of the beef and potato filling. Roll to enclose the filling, and after the first roll, fold in the sides and continue to roll, making an elongated burrito-shaped package.
5. 5
   Once the packets are ready, heat 2 tablespoons lard or oil in a skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, place the chimichangas in the pan seam side down and fry for a minute on each side, until lightly colored.
6. 6
   Drizzle with mayonnaise and top with shredded lettuce, queso fresco, salsa, and crema.