Spicy Tamarind Skirt Steak Recipes

SPICY CITRUS SKIRT STEAK

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for two-zone cooking over high heat: For a charcoal grill, pour the coals onto one half of the grill. For a gas grill, heat all the burners, then turn off one of the end burners. (See Tips.)
• While the grill is heating, pat the steak dry and cut into 5- to 6-inch pieces with the grain. (This makes it easier to fit on the grill.) Set aside to air-dry while you make the sauce: Squeeze 1 cup of juice from about 6 tangerines into a bowl or rimmed dish large enough to hold the steak after it's grilled. (Set aside the remaining unjuiced halves on a sheet pan.) Add the spent tangerine halves to the juice. Smash the halves with a spoon to release the rind's oils (as if you're muddling a cocktail). To the juice and spent tangerine halves, add the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sambal oelek, ginger and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
• When you're ready to grill, add the steak to the sheet pan of unjuiced tangerine halves and lightly coat everything with neutral oil. Season generously with salt. Bring the sheet pan of tangerine halves and steak, sauce, a tightly folded paper towel soaked with oil, and tongs to the grill. Clean the grates with a grill brush, then oil the grates with the paper towel. Grill the steak over direct heat, flipping halfway through, until well browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Grill the tangerines over direct heat, flipping halfway through, until blackened, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
• As the steak and tangerine halves finish, add them to the sauce and turn to coat. Squeeze the charred citrus with your tongs to release the juice and the peels into the dish. Let rest for at least 5 minutes and up to 30. Slice the steak against the grain and serve with the sauce. Season to taste with salt, pepper and sambal oelek.

GRILLED SPICY SKIRT STEAK

Steps:

• Prepare grill if using.
• Cut steak into large pieces to fit on a grill or in a ridged grill pan.
• In a small bowl stir together chili powder, cumin, garlic paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, pepper, allspice, and oil and rub all over meat. Marinate meat in a resealable plastic bag, chilled, 20 minutes.
• Grill steak on a well-oiled rack set about 4 inches over glowing coals or in hot well-seasoned ridged grill pan over moderately high heat 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until just springy to touch, for medium-rare meat. Let steak stand on a cutting board 5 minutes and cut across grain on the diagonal into thin slices.
• Serve steak with tortillas.

SPICY SKIRT STEAK

Steps:

• At home
• One hour before packing, mix together the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, and coriander. Place the steaks in a resealable freezer bag and pour in the marinade, making sure the steaks are completely coated. Refrigerate.
• At the tailgate
• Prepare coals for a hot fire. When the coals are ready, transfer the skirt steaks directly from the marinade to the grill and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, turning once, for medium-rare, 9 to 10 minutes for medium. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes. While the steaks are resting, transfer the sliced onion, pepper, and cilantro to a medium serving bowl. Place the limes, cut side down, on the grill until they brown slightly, about 4 minutes. Set aside. Cut the steaks into 1/2-inch strips, then add them to the bowl with the onion mixture. Season with the hot sauce and salt, then squeeze the grilled limes over everything. Toss together and serve.

GRILLED SOY-TAMARIND DENVER STEAKS

Steps:

• In a large re-sealable plastic bag, combine the soy with the tamarind, honey, ginger, garlic, chile sauce and sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper and gently shake to combine. Add the steaks and seal, pressing out any air. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerate for four hours or up to overnight.
• Light a grill and oil the grates. Drain the meat, reserving the marinade and add to the grill. Cook uncovered over high heat, turning and brushing with the marinade until brown and crusty in spots and nicely glazed, about 20 minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 140°. Transfer to a cutting board, let sit for 5 minutes then thinly slice across the grain.

SPICED SKIRT STEAK WITH WHOLE ROASTED PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Trim steak of any fat and membrane. Mix salt and pimiento Tabasco and rub lightly into steaks. (This can be done up to 4 hours ahead.)
• Heat a grill or place a heavy skillet over high heat. Heat oven to 450 degrees and place another large cast-iron skillet inside. When oven is hot, place plantains, skin on, in the oven skillet. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skins split at the seams and the natural sugars caramelize on the skin.
• Place steak on grill or in the skillet on top of the stove. Sear, turning a few times, until crisp outside and rare to medium-rare inside (8 to 10 minutes).
• Remove steak from pan, tent with foil and let rest 3 to 4 minutes, turning a few times to allow juices to absorb evenly through the meat. To serve, cut each steak in half crosswise, then cut each half in thick slices against the grain. Divide slices between four plates and add a whole plantain to each, opening seams with a sharp knife to expose the flesh. Drizzle each plantain lightly with honey, then grate a dusting of cinnamon on top.