Tacos

Real Tacos are so yummy. I love this version of tacos at home. We use fish or shrimp very often - sometimes I just use veggies! An sometimes tofu is okay if you are wanting meatless.

Shopping list:

1 garlic bulb

coarse salt

black pepper

Chile powder (mild)

light brown sugar

paprika

cumin

little bit of espresso powder (they sell this in tiny bags in the store - already ground espresso coffee)

1 1/2 lb skirt steak

package of 6 inch corn tortillas (about 3 per person)

1 -2 ripe avocado (depends how much you like avocado)

radish

Fresh cilantro

Sharp cheddar cheese

Sour cream

Small head purple cabbage

1 lime per person

some fresh or jarred salsa - medium - red and green

aluminum foil

Start to finish - this whole recipe takes an  hour

Take your steak out of the fridge at least 30 minutes prior to cooking

Steak will take 30 minutes to marinate:

1. Marinate your steak

Mush your garlic:

take two cloves and mush them with the flat side of a good chefs knife. Get rid of the peel.

sprinkle with 2 tablespoons salt and mush again with your knife - mush again and again - then scrape off into a bowl.

Put this in the bowl with garlic:

2 tablespoons mild chile powder

2 tablespoons light-brown sugar

2 teaspoons smoked or sweet paprika

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder or very finely ground coffee beans

Rub mixture all over skirt steak, and place in a large freezer bag to marinate for 30 minutes. seal the bag tight and beat it on the counter a few times. Leave out on the counter - do not place in the fridge. if you are not cooking straight away you can put in the fridge - however - you will need to take it out 25 minutes prior to cooking to bring to room temperature to get a true medium rare when cooking.

2. Chop up those veggies! (set your oven on 350)

thinly slice radishes (about 1 cup)

thinly slice cabbage (about 1 cup)

cut up the avocado - if you don't know how to do this go here: http://www.avocado.org/how-to-choose-and-use/

chop about 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro

grate about 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese

put about 1/2 cup Sour cream in a little bowl

wash and quarter your limes

some fresh or jarred salsa - medium - red and green

place all of these back in the fridge until you are ready to serve

3. Put those tortillas in the oven (should be 350 by now)

Wrap tortillas aluminum foil; while grilling steak, bake tortillas until warmed through, 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Cook your steak

Get out a plate large enough to hold your steak

Get some foil large enough to cover your steak

set aside

Heat your grill (high) or a large pan (high) - large enough to put the whole steak (I use my griddle)

put a little olive oil on pan - grill should be okay if it is clean

Take out your steak and cook 3 minutes each side

Put on plate

cover with foil for 5 minutes

4. Set it up

Take out the veggies, cheese and salsa - put on table

Take out the tortillas - put on table (with something underneath to take the heat)

Slice the steak VERY thinly on a cutting board

Transfer to a plate - put on table (with something underneath to take the heat)

Everybody should only need the tortillas to eat but I use forks because we spill quite a bit out!

Yum.