Crispy Ricotta-Kale Tacos
Be sure to heat the tortillas in a hot skillet before stuffing them with the ricotta-kale mixture. Warming them up first makes them more pliable and less likely to break during the stuffing and cooking process. Opt for high-quality organic yellow corn tortillas; they tend to be chewier and more satisfying when fried.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh tomatillos, husks removed
- 1 unpeeled garlic clove
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/3 cup chopped salted roasted pistachios
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 small serrano chile, finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups packed thinly sliced kale
- 1 teaspoon plus a pinch of kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon plus a pinch of freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 8 (6- to 8-inch) corn tortillas
- 1 (15-ounce) container requesón or whole-milk ricotta cheese, drained in a colander 15 minutes
- 1/3 cup canola oil
Direction
- Preheat broiler to high with oven rack in upper third of oven. Place tomatillos and garlic in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet. Broil in preheated oven on upper rack, turning often, until evenly charred and tomatillos begin to release some of their liquid, about 10 minutes. Remove from skillet, and set aside. When garlic is cool enough to handle, remove and discard peel. Place tomatillos, garlic, and salt in a molcajete or mortar and pestle; mash until pulpy in texture. (To use a blender, pulse until roughly chopped, about 3 times, keeping some of the texture.) Transfer tomatillo mixture to a bowl, and stir in pistachios, lime juice, chile, and scallion.
- Heat olive oil in a clean 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium. Add kale, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper. Cook, stirring often, until kale is slightly wilted, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, and set aside to let cool slightly. Wipe out skillet.
- Working with 1 tortilla at a time, place tortilla in skillet. Cook over medium until pliable, about 15 seconds per side. Wrap warmed tortillas in a clean kitchen towel, and set aside. Add drained requesón, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to kale; stir until combined. Spoon about 1/4 cup cheese filling down center of each tortilla; fold in half.
- Add canola oil to skillet, and heat over medium-high until oil is shimmering but not smoking. Add a few tacos at a time, and fry until golden and lightly crisp, 20 to 30 seconds per side. (You’re not deep frying until jaggedly crispy; you’re only pan-frying for a little texture.) Drain tacos on a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Serve immediately with salsa.
