Fajita Dry Rub Recipes

STEAK FAJITAS

Steps:

• Stir together the sugar, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small mixing bowl to make the dry rub for the steak.
• Put the steak on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Rub both sides generously with the spice rub. Allow the steak to come up to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables.
• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat and allow the pan to heat for 5 minutes.
• Put the bell peppers and onions in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Spread the vegetables out over the hot grill pan. Cook, tossing occasionally, until caramelized and softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Put the grilled vegetables on a serving platter and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.
• To cook the steak, brush the hot grill pan with the vegetable oil. Place the steak on the grill and cook for 3 minutes. Flip the steak over and cook for another 3 minutes. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes.
• Slice the steak into thin strips, against the grain of the meat. Layer the steak over the warm vegetables and sprinkle with the cilantro leaves. Serve with shredded iceberg lettuce, sour cream and warm tortillas.

FLAVORFUL CHICKEN FAJITAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice and seasonings; add the chicken. Turn to coat; cover. Refrigerate for 1-4 hours. , In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, saute peppers and onions in remaining oil until crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm. , Drain chicken, discarding marinade. In the same skillet, cook chicken over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Return pepper mixture to pan; heat through. , Spoon filling down the center of tortillas; fold in half. Serve with toppings as desired.

FAJITA DRY RUB

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a blender.
• Pulse until ground fairly well.
• Use 48 hours before grilling meat for Fajitas. I pack on a good layer-all sides,(using 1/2 cup) and wrap tightly in plastic wrap for 24 hours.

STEVEN RAICHLEN'S FAJITA DRY RUB

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix with a fork.
• Transfer to a jar, cover, and store away from heat and light.
• The rub will keep for several months. Makes 1 cup.
• To make a wet rub, add 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce and 3 tablespoons olive oil to the rub and stir to make a thick paste. Spread this mixture on the meat and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour before grilling.

STEAK FAJITAS

Steps:

• Combine 2 teaspoons ground cumin, the chile powder and 1 teaspoon salt. With a sharp knife, cut shallow crosshatched incisions across top and bottom surfaces of steak. Rub spice mix all over surface of steak. (It's best to wear gloves as the chile powder is hot.) Place steak in a resealable freezer bag.
• In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice and zest, 1/4 cup olive oil, the Worcestershire sauce and half the garlic. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade and pour the rest into the bag with steak. Seal and move steak around in bag to coat thoroughly. Place on a sheet pan and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Massage bag periodically to redistribute marinade. Refrigerate reserved marinade if cooking the next day.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until they soften and begin to color, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in bell peppers and chile. Cook, stirring, until peppers begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
• Lower heat to medium, add remaining garlic and cumin, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring often, until peppers are nicely seared, softened and beginning to caramelize, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Pour in reserved 2 tablespoons marinade and scrape bottom of pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Stir in half the cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat but keep warm.
• Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in a low oven, or wrap in a towel and warm in a steamer or in the microwave.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, or prepare a medium-hot grill. Remove meat from marinade and discard marinade. Pat meat dry with paper towels. If using a skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in skillet. (If your skillet is not large enough for the steak, cut it in half and cook in batches.) Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Meat should be medium rare. Remove to a cutting board, cover with foil and let sit for 10 minutes. Cut across the grain into 1/2- to 3/4-inch wide strips.
• Arrange lettuce on a platter, then place steak next to lettuce. Tip juices from cutting board over meat and sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serve vegetables on the same platter or separately, along with warm tortillas, salsa and crumbled queso fresco.

FAJITA SEASONING

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. Tip into a small jar or container and store in a dark, cool place. Use as you wish, adding 1 tsp at a time to a dish according to taste.

FAJITA SEASONING MIX

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
• Use as needed in recipes calling for fajita seasoning.