Lengua (Beef Tongue) Stew

1 (2 pound) beef tongue

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 small leek, thinly sliced

2 stalks celery, thinly sliced

2 large carrots, shredded

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

2 (1 ounce) packets taco seasoning mix (such as Goya®)

salt and black pepper to taste

Place the beef tongue into a tight-fitting pot and cover with water by 1 inch. Add the salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the meat is tender, about 2 hours. Strain and reserve the cooking liquid. Remove and discard the skin from the tongue. Shred the meat using two forks; set aside.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, leek, celery, and carrots. Cook and stir until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste until no lumps remain and cook for 1 minute more. Add the shredded meat to the pot along with the reserved broth and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.