Cumin-Rubbed Skirt Steak Fajitas

Submitted by Smurfetta Chef #427781

"Skirt steak is a very tender cut,the classic choice for fajitas, but the new flat iron steak will be very good as well. This meal calls for a fruity red wine, like a Zinfandel."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 2-3

ingredients

• 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1 large garlic clove, quartered
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 lb skirt steak (or flat iron steak)
• 4 poblano chiles
• 1⁄3 cup sour cream
• salt
• 6 (8 inch) flour tortillas
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup tomatoes, finely chopped red and yellow
• 1 avocado, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks

directions

1. Light a grill or preheat a cast-iron grill pan over low heat for about 10 minutes. In a small skillet, toast the cumin seeds over moderately high heat until lightly browned and fragrant, about 30 seconds.
2. Transfer to a mortar to cool; then, using a pestle, coarsely grind. Add the black pepper and garlic and pound to a paste. (Alternatively, using a chef’s knife, chop the cumin seeds as fine as you can and put them in a small bowl along with the black pepper. Mince the garlic and add it to the spices.)
3. Stir in the olive oil. Rub the cumin oil on the skirt steak and marinate for at least 10 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
4. Roast the poblano chiles directly on the grill or over a gas flame, turning often, until blistered all over; do not overcook or the flesh will burn.
5. Transfer the chiles to a paper bag and let steam for about 5 minutes.
6. Using a small knife, remove the skin, stems, and seeds. Cut the chiles into thin strips.
7. In a small bowl, mix the chiles and sour cream. Season with salt.
8. Season the skirt steak with salt and grill over a very hot fire or in the grill pan over high heat for about 2 1/2 minutes per side for medium-rare.
9. Transfer to a carving board to rest for about 5 minutes. Using a very sharp knife, thinly slice the steak lengthwise against the grain.
10. Warm the tortillas on the grill for a few seconds until pliable.
11. Place the sour cream, onion, tomatoes, and avocado in bowls. Serve alongside the steak and tortillas and let each person assemble his own fajita.

Reviews

[lolablitz]

Good recipe, but tastes more like steak tacos with a sour cream poblano sauce than fajitas. We couldn't taste the marinade. It was easy though.

 

[eightball1751]

This was a very easy and tastey recipe, easily achievable with stuff I usually have in the house. I had dinner cooking within about 5 minutes. My problem was that I used a very tough cut of meat (won't do that again!) so it didn't come out as well as it could have. I added some chili powder to the steaks, and salt, chili powder, and lime juice to the avacado mixure.