This recipe was originally published on Multicultural Familia, Enjoy!
In Texas, molleja, or sweetbreads, can be found at every grilling event, slowly soaking in the flavors of mesquite or pecan. In the case we should have a guest or family member visiting, we are forced to explain what is molleja? No, they are not brains.
Molleja are the thymus glands of either beef, veal, lamb or pork.
Did you know molleja can be ordered at many fine french restaurants thinly sliced sauteed in butter with mushrooms, or used as a filling for crepes drizzled with a rich lemon butter sauce. They are considered a delicacy, who knew? To me molleja means a lightly charred morsel I stuff into a warm tortilla and top with a fiery salsa. I say they are best eaten grilled with a cold beer and no plates, messy style.
Let them keep their crepes.
Here in South Texas, mollejas are easily found at our local grocery store, or local family butcher. Sometimes they are even found in the freezer section of your grocery store, or precooked. I recommend buying them raw for the best flavor.
Raw molleja is very perishable and should be cooked within one day of purchase. If you’re not planning on grilling them right away, freeze for later use. Tamarind jelly can be found in your Latin (or international) section of your grocery store. If it is not available in your area, feel free to substitute the jelly of your choice. I have used guava to make this glaze with great success.
Enjoy!
Devaki @ weavethousandflavors says
I love sweet breads and what an amazingly flavorful way to fix these. You pics are beautiful as ALWAYS!
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Moinette says
I’ve never heard of molleja before, but it does look good! Messy foods are so much fun, aren’t they?
xx
Kitchen Belleicious says
the flavor combinations sound amazing and this is definitely something we would eat up any night of the week! Love it!
Blond Duck says
I can’t wait for tamales!
yummychunklet says
Oh my. I don’t know if I could stomach this even with the name “sweetbread”.
Roxana GreenGirl says
i don’t eat meat but i love how it looks! i bet all the flavors make it super delicious!
Drick says
lordy, when I think of sweetbread I envision only veal, pancreas actually but have not had the pleasure… I know soaking up the flavors you describe would add a whole ‘nother dimension of savor
Reiko says
I’d love to try this! My husband and I have been talking about moving to a different state for retirement (in 10 years…). Texas seems like a great place for many reasons including great food!!
Juliana says
I just had sweetbread once, but never cooked…it seems very tasty the way that you prepared.
Hope you are having a fantastic week and thanks for this nice recipe 🙂
Heather @girlichef says
I haven’t had sweetbreads since I was doing my culinary apprenticeship way back when. And never in this form. Sounds awesome!
Rosa says
What a great combination of flavors! A scrummy dish.
Cheers,
Rosa