I have not been cooking much steak lately, since my favorite method is on an outdoor grill. But I just bought a new grill pan (which I am now in love with), and have been wanting to try it out. The key to a grill pan is that after the meat has been marinating, make sure it is patted dry before putting it in the pan. Also, don't forget to rub the pan with oil. This helps with smoke control, and it helps the meat cook more evenly. The great thing about the cast iron grill pan is that it can go in the oven, so after the meat has grill marks, it can finish in a hot oven without moving it. I like to have a ton of fixings on my tacos, like avocado and beans. I wanted to make as many of the fixings I could by hand, so I tackled refried beans, salsa, chopped avocado, lightly pickled radishes and onions, and the main event... grilled skirt steak folded inside a corn tortilla. I have not cooked Mexican food that much, but I thought these tacos came out delicious and not hard to make!
Skirt Steak Marinade
1 lb skirt steak
Juice of 2 limes
1/4 t. cayenne (if you don't like spicy, modify)
1 t. chili powder
1 t. cumin powder
1/4 t. coriander
1/4 t. fennel flower (not necessary if you don't have it)
1/2 t. paprika
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1/2 jalapeno cut into 4 pieces
splash of oil (I used peanut because that's what I had)
Salt
Pepper
Combine all of the ingredients in a big enough bowl to hold the steak. Add salted steak to the marinade and stick in the fridge for 2 hours (take out 45 min before cooking).
Pickled Radishes and Red Onion
5 radishes sliced
1/2 red onion sliced
2 T vinegar (I used red wine because that's what I had)
Let the radishes and onions sit in the vinegar for as long as you can. Mine sat for about 2 hours and they were perfect. I love the crunch they add to the taco.
Refried Beans
1 can black beans rinsed (normally I would not use canned but this was a last minute meal so I didn't have time to let beans soak). 1 slab bacon
1 garlic clove chopped
1/2 yellow onion small dice
1/4 jalapeno, small dice (my jalapeno was huge so I used 1 and divided it between all my dishes).
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 T sour cream
Salt
Cut the piece of bacon into lardons and put them in the pot to release the fat. I did not want to overcook the bacon because I was only using it for the fat. Then remove the bacon and throw in the onions, letting them cook until they are translucent (10 min). Then, add the garlic clove and the jalapeno and let those cook for 2 min. before adding the rinsed beans. Add the chicken stock and let the beans simmer for 15 min. Pour off most of the stock and add the sour cream and, with a potato masher, mash the beans together. Sprinkle with salt to taste.
Salsa
1 1/2 tomatoes seeded and diced ( I used the other half for the avocados).
1/4 onion diced and rinsed
1/2 jalapeno
1 clove garlic
1/2 lime juiced
salt
pepper
Add chopped tomatoes and onions to a bowl. Finally, chop the jalapeno and garlic and add to the bowl along with the lime juice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and let sit for 30 minutes before serving. If I were making this for myself I would add cilantro, but Mike does not like it and neither does my best friend or my mother so I omit it.
Chopped Avocado
1 avocado large dice
1/2 tomato seeded and diced
1/4 jalapeno diced
1/2 lime juiced
salt
pepper
Instead of making guacamole I like to leave the avocado in big pieces, more like a chopped salad. I already have the refried beans which are mushy so I think the salad creates a nicer texture in the taco. Toss all the ingredients together in a bowl lightly, and if you are not eating it right away reserve the pit because it helps keep the avocados from turning brown.
When ready to cook the steak, pat it dry and add to a hot oiled grill pan. Cook for 5 minutes per side and then add the jalapenos from marinade and put in a 425 degree oven for a few minutes. Take the steak out of the oven and let it rest for several minutes before slicing.
Warm the corn tortillas (which I did not make but next time I am going to try) in the oven or microwave for a couple of minutes and fix yourself a taco.
Enjoy!
