Grilled Flank Steak Soft Tacos with Avocado-Lime Salsa

Chili and chipotle powders lend earthy, smoky flavors to the grilled beef. For milder flavor, use ancho chile powder in place of the hot chipotle. The spice rub would also work nicely on chicken breasts.

Serves 4.

Steak:
1 T chili powder
2 t grated lime rind
1/2 t salt
1/2 t chipotle chile powder
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
1 (1 lb) flank steak, trimmed
Cooking spray
Salsa:
1 C diced peeled avocado
3/4 C finely chopped tomato
1/3 C finely chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
1/4 C chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 t grated lime rind
2 T fresh lime juice
1/4 t salt
1/4 t hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
Remaining Ingredients:
8 (6″) corn tortillas
2 C very thinly sliced green cabbage
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1. To prepare steak, combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl. Score a diamond pattern on both sides of steak. Rub chili powder mixture evenly over steak. Cover and chill 1 hour.

2. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

3. Place steak on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 8 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices.

4. To prepare salsa, combine avocado and next 7 ingredients (through pepper sauce) in a medium bowl.

5. Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon steak mixture evenly over each of 8 tortillas. Top each taco with 1/4 C salsa and 1/4 C cabbage.

Ancho-Rubbed Flank Steak

Roasted, simply seasoned potato wedges and Smoky-Tart Arugula Salad complement this satisfying main dish.

1/2 t kosher salt
1/2 t brown sugar
1/2 t ground ancho chile powder
1/4 t ground cumin
Dash of freshly ground black pepper
1 lb flank steak, trimmed
2 t olive oil
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1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl; rub evenly over both sides of steak.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes; cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Yield: 4 servings.

Ancho-Glazed Salmon with Sweet Potato Fries

Work: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Serves 4

2 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
1 T sugar
1 t salt
1 t ground cumin
1 t ground ancho chile or chili powder
4 (5 oz each) skinless salmon fillets
1 T olive oil
Cilantro sprigs
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1. Heat broiler to high and cut potatoes lengthwise into 1/4″-thick slices. Combine sugar, salt, cumin and ancho chile. Place sweet potatoes on the greased rack of an unheated broiler pan. Coat both sides of potato slices with cooking spray; sprinkle both sides with about half the sugar mixture. Broil 4 to 6″ from heat for 10 minutes or until tender, turning once.

2. Meanwhile, rinse salmon, pat dry and sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. In a large skillet, cook salmon in hot oil over medium heat, turning once halfway through cooking, 8 to 12 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Serve potatoes and salmon with cilantro sprigs.

Bean and Turkey Chili

Prep Time:20 min
Start to Finish:50 min
makes:7 servings (1 cup each)

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 lb lean ground turkey or chicken
2 medium jalapeño chiles, seeded, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 to 16 oz) pinto beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup water
1 cup frozen sweet corn
2 tablespoons ancho chile pepper powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, if desired
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1. In 4- to 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add turkey; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Add jalapeño chiles and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Stir in tomatoes, beans, water, corn, chile pepper powder, cumin and oregano. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors are blended. Sprinkle individual servings with cilantro.

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