SKIRT STEAK MARINADE FOR FAJITAS RECIPES

Steps:

• Cut the skirt steak into 3 equal size pieces and place in a gallon-sized resealable bag.
• Combine the olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, salt, chile powder and cumin in a bowl. Reserve about 1/4 cup marinade in a squeeze bottle for later use, then pour the rest into the bag with the steaks. Seal the bag and press out all the air, making sure all sides of the steaks are evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Remove the steaks from the bag and shake off any excess marinade. Place on a wire rack-lined baking sheet and return to the fridge, uncovered, for another 2 hours. (This will make sure the steaks get a beautiful rich color when seared.)
• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Give the steaks a generous sprinkle of salt, then put in the hot skillet. Sear until a crust has developed, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board. Without cleaning the skillet, add the remaining tablespoon canola oil, followed by the peppers and onions, and cook until slightly softened, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slice each steak in half with the grain. Now turn the steaks 90 degrees and slice against the grain into 1/4-inch strips. When the peppers and onions are almost finished cooking, add the steak to the hot skillet for a final sizzle and season with salt and pepper. Squirt the reserved marinade into the hot skillet to create a steamy sizzle. Serve with the tortillas and any toppings you wish.

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.