Cuban Style Skirt Steak 5 Tips For A Better Sear Posted On March 14 2014 By Tom Hirschfeld Food

CUBAN SKIRT STEAK WITH TOMATO ESCABECHE AND MANGO STEAK SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the oil, oregano, cumin, garlic, bay leaves and lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth. Put the steaks in a large baking dish, add the marinade, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Prepare a charcoal grill on high heat for direct grilling. Remove the steaks from the marinade and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill on both sides until charred and cooked to medium-rare doneness, about 5 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Slice against the grain into thin slices. Serve the meat with the Mango Steak Sauce and Tomato Escabeche. Garnish with cilantro leaves.
• Heat the oil in a medium high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook until soft. Add the mango nectar, horseradish, honey, chile powder, maple syrup, mustard, Worcestershire and mangos and simmer until the mangoes are very soft and the mixture has thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Scrape into a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
• Toss the cilantro, vinegar, lime juice, oil, sugar, tomatoes, onions and jalapeno in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

CUBAN MARINATED STEAK

Steps:

• Place cumin seeds into a small skillet over medium heat; stir constantly until seeds turn dark brown and smell toasted, about 1 minute. Immediately pour seeds into a bowl to stop the cooking. Mix cumin seeds with orange juice, vegetable oil, steak seasoning, lime juice, and oregano in a bowl.
• Place steaks into a large resealable plastic bag, pour orange juice marinade over the meat, and squeeze out air. Seal bag and turn it over several times to coat meat with marinade. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or longer for extra flavor.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove steaks from marinade, shaking off any excess. Discard used marinade. Grill steaks on the preheated grill until seared on the outsides and still slightly pink in the centers, 6 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted sideways into the center of the thickest steak should read 145 degrees F (65 degrees C). Let steaks rest for 3 minutes before slicing.

CHURRASCO (GRILLED MARINATED SKIRT STEAK)

Steps:

• Pat the steaks dry and place in a large zip-top bag.
• Combine the garlic, oregano, vinegar, olive oil, adobo seasoning and salt in the bowl of a pilón or mortar and pestle, or a small food processor. Grind into a thin paste, then pour the marinade over the steak. Zip the bag then shake well to coat the meat, rubbing in gently as needed. Let rest on the counter for 10 to 20 minutes, or refrigerate overnight if you have time. Be sure to let the steak come to room temperature before grilling.
• If using a charcoal grill, start by building a fire with hardwood and kindling, then adding lump hardwood charcoal once the fire is kicking. Allow the fire to mellow. If using a gas grill, set the temperature to 500 degrees.
• Meanwhile, make the wasakaka: Combine the lime juice, parsley, cilantro, oregano, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk to incorporate. If you'd like a creamier sauce, blend in a small food processor or blender. (Wasakaka will keep for 3 or 4 days in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.)
• Once the grill is ready, remove skirt steak from the bag and shake off excess marinade. Place on the grill and sear for 1 to 3 minutes. Using tongs, pull up the corner to ensure the steak has a good dark char, bordering on burned in places, before flipping, then cook for 1 more minute for rare, 2 minutes for medium-rare. Be careful not to overcook or steak will be tough.
• Remove steak from grill and let rest for 5 to 7 minutes. Slice into strips and pour over wasakaka, or serve sauce on the side. Taste and sprinkle with additional salt, if desired.

CUBAN SKIRT STEAK

Steps:

• Mix marinade ingredients together. Pour into a a large zip-lock bag. Place steak in the bad and seal bag, chilled, at least 6 hours.
• Bring steak to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• While steak comes to room temperature, prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 1 to 2 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderately high.
• Grill steak on lightly oiled grill rack, uncovered, turning over once, 6-8 minutes total for medium-rare.
• Cut steak diagonally across grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

CUBAN SKIRT STEAK AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place garlic, lime juice, cumin seeds, oregano, and parsley in a food processor. With machine running, slowly add 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons oil until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pat steak dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add steak. Cook, turning once, until golden brown, 2 to 5 minutes a side, depending on thickness. Transfer to a plate.
• Pour off fat from pan; wipe clean. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil, onion, and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add corn; cook until browned, about 2 minutes. Return steak with juices to pan along with 1/3 cup garlic sauce. Cook, tossing, 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, preheat a griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium. Butter both sides of bread halves. Cook, pressing with a spatula and flipping once, until golden, 5 minutes a side. Serve steak and vegetables with toasted bread and remaining garlic sauce.