Cuban-Style Carne Asada Tacos

My family is a fusion of multiple cultures including Cuban, Italian, Puerto Rican and more. This is a favorite of my family, and we usually add mojo sauce or chopped jalapeños because we are definitely a fan of spicy food. The best side dishes are, of course, frijoles negros y arroz con maduros (black beans and rice with sweet plantains), but that’s only if you feel like going the extra mile for a truly Cuban meal. Latino food is all about having fun and enjoying the meal with your family, so make this at your own pace! It may take a few times to get it right, but it’s part of the experience. Enjoy!

Ingredients: Carne Asada Marinade – (Use for 3lbs flank steak)

• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 4 cloves garlic minced (or garlic puree)
• 1 lime juiced
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp white pepper
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp chili powder (or less if you want it less spicy)
• 4 tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• A small bundle (the leaves of 5 stems) of cilantro or cilantro puree from a bottle
• Optional: 2 tsp cayenne for extra spice
• Garnish:
  Cilantro
  Chopped Onions
  Lime Juice
  Cheese
  Green/Red/Orange Peppers
  – Anything you want!

Description:

1. Steak: (These are all approximate, so don’t be afraid to add more/less and play around with the ingredients to see what tastes best for you! The steak should be evenly coated and marinated for no more than 4 hours. If you want a more tender steak, try adding some minced onions to the marinade.)
   My family grills the flank steak after it marinades. Rain or shine! It kinda of varies as to the the doneness – we like it medium rare. Some people bake their steak and skillet cook it. The real trick is lock the moisture in by searing the outside first.
   Once done cut the meat into thin slices.
2. To assemble:
   Get a pack of small street style tacos and warm them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 seconds. You want the shell to still be soft enough to roll around the filling. Traditional carne asada is only the first 3 toppings, but if you like cheese, sour cream or guacamole, feel free to add it!

Submitted by:

Bridgett Berriel