Flank Steak Carne Asada Food

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

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.

LISA'S FAVORITE CARNE ASADA MARINADE

Steps:

• Combine the orange, lemon, and lime juice in a large glass or ceramic bowl along with the garlic, soy sauce, chipotle pepper, chili power, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, and cilantro. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until marinade is well combined. Remove one cup of the marinade and place in a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for use after the meat is cooked.
• Place the flank steak between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound the steak with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/4 inch. After pounding, poke steak all over with a fork. Add the meat to the marinade in the large bowl, cover, and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove the steak from the marinade and grill to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Discard used marinade. Remove meat from heat and slice across the grain.
• Pour the one cup of reserved, unused marinade over the hot meat and serve immediately.

SHREDDED MARINATED FLANK STEAK (CARNE DESMECHADA)

Steps:

• Combine half of the chopped tomatoes, 1/4 cup of the chopped onions, 1/2 tsp minced garlic and 1/4 tsp salt. Rub over flank steak and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
• Place the marinated flank steak in a dutch oven and cover with water. Cook until tender about 2 1/2 hours.
• Remove from dutch oven and let cool down. Shred meat by hand or with two forks.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions, remaining tomato, garlic and salt. Add shredded meat and stir fry about 10 minutes until heated through.

CARNE ASADA (GRILLED STEAK)

Steps:

• In a large stainless steel or glass bowl, mix the meat with the onions, orange juice, salt, pepper and oil. Cover and marinate at least 1 hour, or better yet overnight.
• Start a good fire in your grill, preferably with mesquite charcoal. Remove the meat from its marinade, pat dry and grill over hot flame until the first side is well browned, from 5-7 minutes.
• Turn the meat over and grill on the other side until cooked to desired doneness. Remove to a clean platter.
• Slice meat into thin strips across the grain and serve as a topping for tostadas or as a filling for tacos or burritos.
• VARIATIONS:.
• Add some lime juice along with the orange juice in the marinade. Or use sour orange juice (naranja agria) if you can find it.
• Other possible marinade additions include ground cumin, chili powder and chopped cilantro. Everyone has their own favorites.