Colombian Carne Asada With Aji Picante Recipes

Steps:

• Break up achiote rojo into a powder, or as best you can as it is a little moist.
• Mix remaining ingredients except meat into the achiote rojo. Mix well to break up any large pieces of the achiote.
• Place meat in a container or your choice to marinade in and pour the achiote rojo mixture on and work it into the meat.
• Cover and marinade for as long as possible. Time DOES NOT indicate marinade time.
• Get the grill going, pop a beer and get busy. Remember, the wood charcoal is very hot. I get it so my hand can stand the heat test for 2-3 seconds. Closer to 2 seconds, though.
• Put the meat on the grill. Let the meat get good and charred then turn over. Grill for a few minutes and the meat is almost done. At this point make a foil sack to put the meat in . Push the coals away from one side of the grill, put meat in foil sack so that all the meat is covered. Then just put the meat sack on the side where no coals are. They will finish cooking in their own juices.
• When done let the meat rest a few minutes. Cut on a bias and roll 'em up in tortillas and salsa of choice.

Steps:

• FOR THE STEAK: Using a sharp knife, lightly score the steak about 1/8 inch deep on both sides in a crisscross pattern at 1/2 inch intervals. Put the steak in a shallow glass baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the cumin, oregano, salt, and a few turns of black pepper. Rub the olive oil and garlic over both sides of the steak, and then rub in the spice mix. Add the scallions and beer, turn the steak over a few times to coat both sides, cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, turning occasionally, or as long as overnight. FOR THE AJI PICANTE; In a medium jar or container with a fitted lid, combine 1/4 cup water, the lime juice, vinegar scallions, cilantro tomato jalapeño and salt. Refrigerate until ready to use and up to 2 days. PREHEAT GRILL TO HIGH Lightly oil the grate. Remove the steaks from the marinade discarding the marinade and grill to desired doneness. Transfer steaks to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steaks across the grain. Transfer to a platter and serve with aji picante on the side.

Steps:

• Finely mince the cilantro, onion, scallions and chile by hand, or by roughly chopping, then pulsing in a food processor. Transfer to a medium bowl.
• Working directly in the medium bowl and using a flat palm to press the cut side of the tomato against the large holes of a box grater, grate the tomato until you're left with just the skin. (The skin should protect your hand from the grater.) Discard the skin.
• Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few tablespoons of water. Squeeze with lime juice to taste. Stir to combine. The ají should be quite thin in texture. Add more water as necessary. Taste and season with more salt, if desired. Finished ají can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Steps:

• In a large ziploc bag, place beer, oregano (rub between palms to crush while adding), cumin, orange juice, sugar and garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste, making it a bit on the salty side.
• Add red pepper flakes and achiote powder, if using. Achiote gives it a nice color and a subtle taste.
• Zip bag closed and shake or knead to blend all ingredients well.
• Add flank steak, zip closed and combine to saturate all sides of beef. Refrigerate at least one hour, turning and shaking bag from time to time.
• Drink rest of beer while meat is marinating.
• Place meat on hot grill, turning only once, about four minutes per side for medium well.
• When done to your liking, place meat on cutting board, let rest for a few minutes, then cut into small 1/2 inch pieces.
• Serve with warm corn and/or flour tortillas, guacamole, salsa and sour cream (or crema fresca). Beans and mexican rice on the side - see my recipe for the rice.

Steps:

• Using sharp knife, lightly score flank steaks about 1/8 inch deep on both sides in a crisscross pattern at 1/2-inch intervals. Place steaks in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle steaks on both sides with oregano and cumin and generous amount of coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Drizzle olive oil over both sides of steaks, rubbing oil and spices into meat. Add green onions, beer, and Worcestershire sauce, turning steaks several times to coat both sides. Cover and chill at least 3 hours, turning occasionally. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush grill rack lightly with oil. Grill steaks to desired doneness, 3 to 4 minutes total per side for medium-rare, turning steaks 1/4 turn after 1 1/2 minutes to form crisscross grill marks, if desired. Transfer steaks to cutting board; let rest 5 minutes. Thinly slice steaks across grain. Transfer to platter and serve with Aji Sauce and Colombian Guacamole.