North African Flank Steak Food

ROPA VIEJA ROULADE

Steps:

• Prepare an outdoor grill for direct and indirect grilling. (If your grill has a thermometer, aim to keep the temperature at about 350 degrees F throughout grilling.) Cook the poblano and bell peppers on the grill, turning occasionally, until completely charred on the outside, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover with a plate to steam for about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grill the onions until golden and soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Peel the poblano and bell peppers and remove and discard the stems and skins. Cut the flesh into 1/2-inch strips and set aside. (Keep the poblano strips separate from bell pepper strips.)
• Set the steak on a cutting board. Using a long thin knife and starting at the thin, narrow end of the steak, slice it in half horizontally leaving 2 inches of the meat uncut at the wide end of the steak so the pieces stay attached. Open it up like a book so you have one long piece. Pound the steak with a meat mallet to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.
• Arrange the steak flat on a work surface with a long side facing you. Combine the cilantro, tomato paste, oil, cumin, oregano, scallions and 2 teaspoons salt in a bowl. Spread the paste all over the top of the steak. Working in three batches, arrange vertical stripes of the poblanos, bell peppers, onions, and olives on the steak until the steak is covered, leaving 2 inches empty at each end.
• Roll up the steak like a jelly roll, starting at one of the short ends. Tie the steak closed around the circumference with butcher's twine at 2-inch intervals. Tie one more piece of twine lengthwise around the steak.
• Put the steak on the direct heat side of the grill and cook, turning, to brown all 4 sides, about 2 minutes per side. Move the steak to the indirect heat side of the grill, cover and cook, turning occasionally, until the center of the steak registers 115 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 25 to 30 minutes for a steak that is well-done on the outside and medium-rare in the center. (Test frequently; the time will vary based on the temperature of your grill.) Let the steak rest about 10 minutes.
• Untie the steak and cut it into 6 thick slices.

MOROCCAN SKIRT STEAK SALAD WITH CHERMOULA

Steps:

• Marinate and grill the steak:
• Season steak with salt and pepper. Place steak in a large resealable bag or bowl. Pour chermoula over, toss to coat, then let rest at room temperature at least 1 hour.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat or heat grill pan over medium-high; lightly oil grate or pan. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Grill steak until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 125°F, 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
• Assemble the salad:
• Toss carrots, cucumbers, arugula, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup herbs, and 1/4 cup chermoula sauce in a large bowl. Divide salad among 4 plates. Top with steak and remaining 1/2 cup herbs. Drizzle salads with remaining 1/4 cup chermoula sauce. Top with feta and pomegranate seeds.
• Do Ahead
• Steak can be marinated 10 hours ahead; chill in bag. Let steak come to room temperature at least 1 hour before cooking.

FLANK STEAK WITH CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the chimichurri sauce: Add all the sauce ingredients to a small food processor. Pulse 4 to 6 times, until the herbs are roughly chopped and chunky. Transfer to a serving bowl.
• Cook the steak: Pat the flank steak dry with a paper towel. Season generously with salt and a pinch of ground pepper. Place in a medium bowl and drizzle with the olive oil and soy sauce. Add the onion to the bowl and give it all a massage until combined.
• Heat a grill to high for at least 5 minutes. If using a charcoal or gas grill, wipe the grill grates with a lightly oiled paper towel right before cooking to clean off any char and debris. This will give you a great grill mark and help keep the beef from sticking. Alternatively, place a grill pan over high heat and preheat for at least 5 minutes. Rub a little oil on the pan or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Grill the steak for about 3 minutes, or until well browned on one side. Turn the steak over and add the onion to the grill. Cook for another 2 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F (52 degrees C) for medium-rare, or to your desired doneness (see Cook's Note). You just want the onions slightly charred but still crunchy. Transfer the steak and onions to a cutting board and allow to rest, tented with foil, for 5 minutes. Slice the steak against the grain into 1-inch (2.5-cm) planks. Serve the steak over the onions and drizzle with the chimichurri sauce.

NORTH AFRICAN MARINADE FOR FLANK STEAK

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients except steaks in a bowl and mix well. (Marinade can be kept refrigerated for 7 to 10 days.).
• Pierce the steak all over on both sides with a sharp fork or skewer. Place it in a zipper-lock bag or shallow glass baking dish. Pour over the marinade and refrigerate overnight (cover if using a dish). Shake and turn the bag or turn the meat occasionally. Let it come to room temperature before cooking.
• TO GRILL THE STEAK:.
• Pat the steak dry. Grill the steak over medium-hot coals in a covered or uncovered barbecue or directly over the flames of a gas grill. Flank steak is best cooked medium-rare and should never be cooked more than medium; the internal temperature should be 130 to 135 degrees F. This should take roughly 4 to 5 minutes per side on a standard grill.
• Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes, covered loosely with aluminum foil, before carving into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices across the grain.

NIGERIAN BEEF SUYA (SPICED GRILLED SKEWERS) RECIPE

Steps:

• For the Yajin Kuli: In a small mixing bowl, combine groundnut/peanut butter powder, ground ginger, sweet paprika, onion powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper powder, ground grains of selim (if desired), cubeb pepper, and ground cloves. Whisk to mix thoroughly, about 30 seconds. Set aside.
• For the Suya: Wrap beef tightly in plastic wrap and place on a plate or small baking sheet and set in the freezer until the beef is partially frozen and firm to the touch, 15 to 30 minutes. Using a sharp chef's knife or slicing knife, slice beef against the grain into 2-inch-long, 1-inch-wide, and 1/8-inch-thick strips. (The easiest and most efficient way to do this is to start by portioning the beef into 2-inch-wide by 1-inch-thick pieces, and then slicing those pieces crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick strips.)
• Place sliced beef in large mixing bowl and drizzle peanut oil over it. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of yajin kuli over the beef and carefully toss and massage spice rub into beef until it is evenly coated. Cover, place in refrigerator, and allow beef to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
• Working with one piece of beef at a time, thread beef onto skewers, piercing each piece through twice to secure it, then bunching meat tightly together like an accordion. Continue threading beef onto skewer, making sure it's bunched tightly together, leaving no parts of the skewer exposed except for a 2-inch handle at the bottom and the pointy tip at the top. Repeat skewering process with remaining beef.
• If Using Skewer-Specific Grill Setup: Set up grill for skewers, making sure to adjust distance between bricks to the length of your skewers. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly in the channel between bricks.
• Place skewers directly over the hot coals, balancing them on top of the bricks, with the handles overhanging the bricks closest to you, and the tips balancing on the farther wall of bricks. Cook, turning frequently, until beef is lightly charred and a piece of beef looks cooked through when removed and cut in half, about 8 minutes. If flare-ups occur, move the skewers around as needed to get them away from the flames. Transfer to serving platter and let rest 2 to 3 minutes (see note).
• If Using Conventional Charcoal or Gas Grill: Light 1 chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread coals evenly over half of coal grate. Alternatively, set half the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil grilling grate.
• Place skewers on grate and cook over direct heat, turning once, until charred on both sides and a piece of beef looks cooked through when removed and cut in half, about 8 minutes. Transfer to serving platter and let rest 2 to 3 minutes.
• For Serving: Serve with reserved yajin kuli, thinly sliced red onions, tomatoes, lime halves, crisp lettuce, and coriander leaves and tender stems.

NORTH AFRICAN FLANK STEAK

Steps:

• In small bowl, combine all ingredients except steak and oil. Rub spice mixture on both sides of steak. If you like, place steak on plate; let stand at room temperature 15 minutes Meanwhile, in nonstick 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Add steak to skillet and cook 14-16 minutes for medium-rare or until desired doneness, turning steak over once.
• Transfer steak to cutting board.
• To serve, thinly slice steak diagonally against the grain.

GRILLED FLANK STEAK WITH GINGER MARINADE

Steps:

• In a nonreactive dish or large resealable plastic bag, combine all ingredients except steak and mix thoroughly. Add steak and turn to thoroughly coat. Cover dish or close bag and allow to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. (If you are making ahead, cover, and place in refrigerator. Can be marinated up to 24 hours in refrigerator.)
• Once steak has marinated, remove from refrigerator and bring to room temperature for at least 15 minutes. Heat a lightly oiled grill pan to medium-high heat. When pan is heated, remove steak from marinade, shake off excess, add to pan and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes per side for medium rare.
• Transfer to a cutting board, season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice thinly across the grain and serve.

NORTH AFRICAN MARINADE

Steps:

• Place onion, garlic, ginger, spices and salt in a skillet. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes or until spices are fragrant and lightly roasted. Remove from heat.
• In a blender combine the spice mixture, lemon juice, and puree to a smooth paste.
• Spread paste over seafood, poultry, beef or pork and marinate for 2-3 hours or overnight for best results.

CARTHAGENIAN FLANK STEAK

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, except steak, in a jumbo ziplock bag that has been placed in a glass bowl for support. After scoring the flank steak place it in the bag. Seal the bag and refrigerate at least 20 minutes or up to overnight.
• Heat the grill or a grill pan on the stove. Remove the flank steak from the bag and pat dry with paper towels. Grill 4 to 5 minutes per side or until done to taste. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes before carving before serving.