Braised Beef Cheek Birria Ramen

Ingredients

Beef Cheek Meat:

• 1 package Rumba Meats® Beef Cheek
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 3 cups water
• ½ white onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves

Red Chile Sauce:

• 8 to 10 dried guajillo chiles, seeds and stems removed
• 2 ancho chiles, seeds and stems removed
• 2 arbol chiles, seeds and stems removed
• ¼ white onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 Roma tomatoes
• 2 cups low sodium beef broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 16 ounces dry ramen noodles
• 4 soft boiled eggs, halved

Toppings:

• Sliced radishes, sliced jalapenos, chopped green onions, lime wedges and chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Season beef cheek meat with salt, and black pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add cheek meat and brown evenly, about 10 minutes, turning occasionally.
2. Transfer cheek meat and pan drippings to a slow cooker. Add 3 cups water or beef broth, onion, garlic, and bay leaves.
3. While cheek meat is browning make red chile sauce: In a separate pot, add chiles, onion, garlic, tomato, and water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Using a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to a blender. Add 2 cups beef broth. Blend until smooth. Strain, if needed.
4. Pour red chile sauce over browned cheek meat in slow cooker. Add salt, cumin, and oregano. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours until beef cheek meat is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 160ºF.
5. Remove cheek meat from broth and cool slightly. Trim fat. Using 2 forks, shred meat and set aside. Using a slotted spoon, remove onion, garlic, and bay leaves from broth and discard. Add shredded cheek meat back to slow cooker and stir to blend. Keep birria and consomé warm.
6. Cook ramen noodles according to package directions.
7. Drain noodles and immediately divide evenly into 4 wide shallow bowls. Ladle birria and consomé over noodles. Top each bowl with soft-boiled eggs and choice of toppings such as sliced radishes, sliced jalapenos, chopped green onions, lime wedges, and chopped cilantro.