My Second Favorite Taco from Mexico City

The costra is a taco made with a cheese crust wrapped around meat and it's a taco I think everyone should know how to make.

📚 Videos & Sources mentioned:

USEFUL KITCHEN GEAR

⏱ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
0:59 Costra Blueprint
1:45 Why I use frozen steak & preparing it
3:26 What types of cheeses work well for the costra?
5:57 Cooking the steak
8:50 Melting the cheese & preparing the costra

MISC. DETAILS
Music: Provided by Epidemic Sound
Filmed on: Sony a6600 & Sony A7C
Voice recorded on Shure MV7
Edited in: Premiere Pro

Affiliate Disclosure:

[kriscastro]

i am a big fan of this 5-camera/casual realtime filming setup. obviously there's something to be said about really well-scripted, concise content with a heavy focus on great shots, but there is something very calming about watching someone cook in realtime and just talking almost like you're in conversation with viewers.

[isaacmeier]

Shout out to the fridge camera. The whole filming setup seems so smooth.

[ndawg]

Yes I’d absolutely love a video on how to freeze meats for quick meals, it’s something I’ve been trying but would love to see how you do it

[FlexNiko]

another easy trick is, putting the cheese in the pan, put the taco on top, wait for it to get crispy and take it out. the whole crispy cheese is stuck to the well heated taco and you can just place the meat etc inside 👍

[DoYouLikeToastToo]

You are starting to nail down exactly what I have always loved about watching Kenji's POV cooking. Seeing the whole process makes it feel much more achievable than everything being laid out beforehand.

[shinykoffing]

I feel like the biggest endorsements he could ever give his food is the way he absolutely DEMOLISHES them at the end. Really makes me want to try it lol

[danilincks]

Please do make a video about freezing protein for meals! That would be so helpful! I especially worry about freezer burn so I want to see your take on that. Thanks for your work!

[peterchrostowski]

The presliced frozen proteins is genius. Going to try prepping myself some chicken thighs and flank steak for the week using that method.

[inakiperdomo]

Hey Ehtan! I've been a fan of the channel for quite some time. I'm from Mexico and I'm really glad that you made this video because I honestly think that "costras" are terribly underrated. I wanted to take the time to maybe give you a couple of pointers to make your life a little easier. I make costras at least 3 times a week and at least for me, these tips have been helpful: 1. I always use a non-stick pan just because if you don't time it just right you end up making a mess. 2. I like to use high heat. That way the cheese on the bottom can crisp up while the cheese on top stays gooey. 3. Lastly, I like to use that gooey cheese on top to make it stick to the tortilla. That way I don't have to deal with the hastle of folding the cheese around the protein (plus you can use the tortilla to press the cheese into the pan so the browning is uniform). I hope this helps!

[mageyface]

I love how straightforward and easy to follow you are. I'm not into food creators that go overboard showcasing their personal brand and jokes at the expense of creating actually useful cooking content. BRAVO to you!! A breath of fresh air.

[Weeman]

Would like to see a video on freezing protein for sure.

[Hybridsixtynine]

This video is so refreshing to watch. It's got a warm weather kinda vibe to it, that fits on the sunny days in April. (It's a sunny afternoon in Germany rn :)

[mbrackmann]

Fridge cam gives me Alton Brown Good Eats vibes. Love it.

[xDiaborosx]

I really dig seeing you mix things up with this new format. Great to see a simple recipe, start to finish, and amazing job keeping up the flow of conversation while doing it!

[RaulComeGalleta]

Mexican here. From Chihuahua! Really like the way you don't make any video cut. And your way of being organized is a goal ! im not too far, really like it!

[bat_bite]

genuinely thank you for introducing me to this concept, i'm "big pot of beans for the week" balling on a budget right now and this really gave it a massive and delicious refresh

[atter]

I love the realistic display of exactly how long it takes to make. Including the shots of cleaning during the process really makes it feel approachable

[ncrider]

Great idea on a video about freezing proteins! Yes! Please do that. Include safe freezing durations, things we can sous vide, thawing options, etc. Thanks!

[readycry]

would love a frozen meat video!! questions include: how to deal with freezer burn, do you have to defrost, are any specific kinds best to freeze???

wrt to the taco: looks DELICIOUS!!!! if we’re trying to minimize dishes, do you think it would work with cooking the steak first, putting it to the side and keeping warm, and toast the cheese on the same pan? maybe even taking turns? or would the fat content or something affect it?

been a long time enjoyer of your vids and really appreciate all the thought and effort you put into them :)

[pattypro]

I lined two half sheet pans with parchment paper, and placed three mounds of cheese on each. Baked them at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, then proceeded. Perfection!