Americas Test Kitchen Carne Asada Food

CARNE ASADA

Steps:

• Add the garlic, jalapenos, lime juice, orange juice, cilantro, olive oil, sugar, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper to a food processor and puree until very smooth.
• Cut the steak crosswise into thirds (skirt steak is typically long and skinny, so this will make the pieces more manageable when grilling). Place in a large resealable plastic bag, then pour in the marinade, flipping and massaging the steak to make sure it's evenly coated. Remove as much air as possible, then seal the bag and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours (any longer and the citrus juice will start to "cook" the steak).
• Preheat a grill for medium-high heat and brush the hot grates with oil. Remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and season both sides with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Grill until nicely charred on the outside, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a cutting board to rest, about 10 minutes. Thinly slice the steak against the grain, then serve with lime wedges.

THE BEST CARNE ASADA RECIPE

Steps:

• When ready to cook, remove the extra salsa from the fridge to allow it to warm up a little. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and preheat for 5 minutes. Alternatively, set half the burners on a gas grill to the highest heat setting, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate.

CARNE ASADA

Steps:

• Lay the skirt steak in a large nonreactive bowl or baking dish.
• Combine the oil, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeno, red wine vinegar, cumin, sugar and 1 tablespoon each salt and pepper. Pour the marinade over the steak, making it's well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat a grill or cast-iron skillet to high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade, sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper, and place it on the grill. (If cooking indoors, remove excess marinade, as the garlic may burn and smoke).
• Grill the steak for just a few minutes per side, depending on thickness, until it is cooked to your preference. You may need to work in batches.
• Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak thinly against the grain on a diagonal and serve.

CARNE ASADA TACOS

Steps:

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seed and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted, about 1 minute. Transfer to a small bowl. Add the chilies and garlic to the skillet. Cook over medium high heat, turning occasionally, until both are soft and blotchy black in spots, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and cool. Add the chilies, garlic, toasted cumin seeds, oil, brown sugar and lime juice, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to a blender and process until very smooth. Transfer the marinade to a large re-sealable plastic bag and add the steak. Shake well to coat, refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours.
• Prepare a grill for high heat.
• Remove the steaks from the marinade and shake off any excess. Brush the grill grates lightly with oil, lay the steak on the grill and cook until very well charred and grill marks appear, about 5 minutes. Turn the steaks and continue to cook until nicely charred, about 1 to 3 minutes more depending on thickness. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. While the steak rests, brush the scallions lightly with oil and grill, turning once until wilted and charred, about 2 minutes. Coarsely chop.
• Warm the tortillas on the grill grates. Thinly slice the steak against the grain on a bias. Double the tortillas then top with the steak, grilled scallions, guacamole and pico de gallo. Serve with lime wedges.

TACOS CARNE ASADA

Steps:

• Lay the flank steak in a large baking dish and pour the mojo over it. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 8 hours, so the flavors can sink into the meat. Don't marinate the steak for more than 8 hours though, or the fibers break down too much and the meat gets mushy.
• Preheat an outdoor grill or a ridged grill pan over medium-high flame (you can also use a broiler). Brush the grates with a little oil to prevent the meat from sticking. Pull the steak out of the mojo marinade and season the steak on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill (or broil) the steak for 7 to 10 minutes per side, turning once, until medium-rare. Remove the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle. Thinly slice the steak across the grain on a diagonal.
• Warm the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side in a dry skillet or on the grill, until toasty and pliable.
• To make the tacos, stack up 2 of the warm tortillas, lay about 4 ounces of beef down the center, and sprinkle with some lettuce, onion, and cheese. Top each taco with a spoonful of the Pico de Gallo salsa and garnish with lime wedges. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• In a mortar and pestle or bowl, mash together the garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, salt, and pepper to make a paste. Put the paste in a glass jar or plastic container. Add the lime juice, orange juice, vinegar, and oil. Shake it up really well to combine. Use as a marinade for chicken or beef or as a table condiment.
• Yield: approximately 1 1/4 cups
• In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together. Toss thoroughly. Let it sit for 15 minutes hour to allow the flavors to marry.
• Yield: 2 cups