Steak Tacos

Okay Karen, this one's for you.

Maybe you haven't noticed, but I'm not very good at the meat and three type thing. Although I love to eat it, and that's what I was fed when I was growing up, I just can't seem to make it at home. But that's okay by me, because these steak tacos are delicious! And you get your vitamins and veggies in all the fixings.

We made these last Saturday night. We were hanging out on the front lawn, drinking beer and watching all the kids from the neighborhood run around together while the steak was marinating. Then it all came together relatively quickly.  A great meal to share!

Steak Tacos

Serves 4 to 6.   Published September 1, 2008.   From Cook's Illustrated.

For a less spicy dish, remove some or all of the ribs and seeds from the jalapeños before chopping them for the marinade. 

INGREDIENTS

Herb Paste
1/2	cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
3	medium garlic cloves , roughly chopped
3	medium scallions , roughly chopped (about 1/3 cup)
1	medium jalapeño chile , stemmed and roughly chopped (see note)
1/2	teaspoon ground cumin
1/4	cup vegetable oil
1	tablespoon fresh lime juice
Steak
1	flank steak (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds), trimmed of excess fat and cut lengthwise (with grain) into 4 equal pieces *I am lucky enough to have a real butcher 1/2 mile away: The Oak Grove Market
1	tablespoon kosher salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
1/2	teaspoon sugar
1/2	teaspoon ground black pepper
2	tablespoons vegetable oil
Tacos
12	(6-inch) corn tortillas , warmed
	Fresh cilantro leaves
	Minced white or red onion
	Lime wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 
   
   
   1. FOR THE HERB PASTE: Pulse cilantro, garlic, scallions, jalapeño, and cumin in food processor until finely chopped, ten to twelve 1-second pulses, scraping down sides as necessary. Add oil and process until mixture is smooth and resembles pesto, about 15 seconds, scraping down sides of workbowl as necessary. Transfer 2 tablespoons herb paste to medium bowl; whisk in lime juice and set aside.
   

   

   
   
2. 
   
   
   2. FOR THE STEAK: Using dinner fork, poke each piece of steak 10 to 12 times on each side. Place in large baking dish; rub all sides of steak pieces
   evenly with salt and then coat with remaining herb paste. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
   

   

   
   
3. 
   
   
   3. Scrape herb paste off steak and sprinkle all sides of pieces evenly with sugar and pepper. Heat oil in 12-inch heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until smoking. Place steak in skillet and cook until well browned, about 3 minutes. Flip steak and sear until second side is well browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Using tongs, stand each piece on a cut side and cook, turning as necessary, until all cut sides are well browned and internal temperature registers 125 to 130 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 2 to 7 minutes. Transfer steak to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.
4. 
   
   
   4. FOR THE TACOS: Using sharp chef’s knife or carving knife, slice steak pieces across grain into 1/8-inch-thick pieces. Transfer sliced steak to bowl with herb paste-lime juice mixture and toss to coat. Season with salt. Spoon small amount of sliced steak into center of each warm tortilla and serve immediately, passing toppings separately.
   

   

   
   

    I warmed the tortillas in a large dry skillet - three at a time overlapping each other. I was so excited to eat that I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  We served this with fresh cilantro and the awesome salsa from The Oak Grove Market. It was so good.