This is a sponsored conversation, in collaboration with Rumba Meats. All thoughts (and Menudo) are mine. 
Have you ever had a hangover? I’m happy to say I never have, but I’ve heard they’re brutal. Whenever I hear someone talking about being hungover, I can’t help but think of Menudo! Menudo is a Mexican soup, made with beef tripe & hominy. I grew up eating it in Texas, where I was born & raised. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always heard Menudo is a cure for a hangover. Folks that party a little too hard on Friday night, can be found eating a big bowl of Menudo early Saturday morning.
My Mother was Mexican American & she used to make the best Menudo. Not everyone can make it- trust me I’ve learned that the hard way! There are few things worse than ordering a bowl of menudo at a restaurant & then cringing when they set the bowl in front of you, because it’s a hot, greasy mess! Yes, that has happened to me more than once.
My Mom usually made Menudo in the winter, on a weekend. I used to watch her make it … rinsing the tripe off under the faucet in the kitchen sink, cutting the beef tripe into bite sized pieces … sometimes adding a pig’s foot to the pot for even more flavor … checking on it as it cooked on the stove for hours until the meat was tender. Those are memories I will always treasure, especially since my Mother is no longer alive. I’m so thankful she instilled a love of all things Latino in me; I’m proud of my Mexican American heritage. Gracias Mami, te quiero mucho.
Some eat Menudo for breakfast – others for lunch or dinner. Me? I don’t discriminate; I’ll take it any time I can get it! LOL! I used to have to go to a restaurant if I wanted a Menudo fix, but not anymore. Thanks to Rumba Meats & Lucky’s Supermarkets; I can now cook all the delicious meals I grew up eating, right here at home.
A quick trip to my neighborhood Lucky’s Supermarket is all I have to do to find the cuts of meat I need. Not only is Lucky’s carrying Rumba Meats, you can find it at FoodMaxx & Save Marts too. This is great news for those of us who like to make Menudo, Lengua, Tripas, & all the other traditional Mexican dishes we grew up eating.
Use this store locator link to find out which Northern CA store near you carries Rumba Meats: http://www.rumbameats.com/store-locator
Here’s my recipe for Menudo:
- 4 pounds Rumba Meats Beef Tripe
- 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 cups hominy (can)
- 2 pkgs Menudo Seasoning (found in hispanic/ethnic food aisle at supermarket)
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 3 tablespoons red chili powder
- 1 lemon quartered
- Rinse Rumba Meats Beef Tripe thoroughly & cut into 1-2 inch squares.
- Place in large pot on stove, filled with 10 cups water.
- Start cooking over medium heat.
- Add coriander, garlic, hominy, menudo seasoning, onions, oregano, & chili powder to pot.
- Simmer over low - medium heat for 3.5-4 hours, until Rumba Meats Beef Tripe is tender.
- Serve in bowls, squeeze lemon juice into bowl & enjoy!
- You can also add additional menudo seasonings (from the pkg) as a garnish once you serve the menudo.
