Carne Asada Tacos- Vampiro-Style
08.16.2023• Beef, Gourmet
These Carne Asada Tacos Vampiro-Style are lined with a pan-fried cheese disk, giving the tortilla a remarkable toasted flavor. The pickled onions add brightness from the orange and lime juice, contrasting beautifully with the charred steak that fills the fragrant homemade corn tortillas.
Ingredients
Marinade
- ¼ cup cumin seeds
- 3 jalapenos stemmed, halved and seeded, optional
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 ½ lb skirt steak or flank steak
Pickled Onions
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
Vampiro Tortillas
- 2 cups manchego cheese shredded
- 2 cups queso blanco cheese grated
- 2 cups Cotija cheese grated
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 8 corn tortillas 6- inch
Assemble
- 8 tbsp Salsa fresh-
- 3 Radishes sliced as garnish
- cilantro as garnish
Instructions
Marinade
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Toast cumin seeds in a adry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a small food processor bowl.¼ cup cumin seeds
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Add marinade ingredients to the cumin seeds in the processor bowl and purée until smooth.2 large garlic cloves, 1 bunch cilantro, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt, ¾ cup olive oil, ¼ cup lime juice, 1 ½ lb skirt steak, 3 jalapenos
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Cut the steak crosswise into 4 pieces and place in a plastic bag. Add the marinade. Close the bag and gently rub the marinade around the meat pieces. Place in a bowl and refrigerate for 6-10 hours.
Pickled Onions
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Whisk together orange juice, ¼ cup lime juice, 1 tsp. salt and oregano, and add the onions. Chill pickled onions until ready to use.½ cup orange juice, ¼ cup lime juice, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp dried oregano, 1 small red onion
Grilling Steak
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Remove the marinated meat from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
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Preheat grill to high. Brush grill grate with oil.
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Grill steaks until lightly charred, 3-4 minutes. Turn the meat pieces and remove from the grill when the second side is lightly charred. Let rest 5 minutes.
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Slice the steak against the grain into thin strips.
Vampiro Tortillas
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Mix the cheese varieties in a bowl.2 cups manchego cheese, 2 cups queso blanco cheese, 2 cups Cotija cheese
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Heat a cast-iron skillet on the grill (or stove) over high. Add ⅓ cup cheese mixture to the skillet and sprinkle with a dash or two of chili powder. Cook until it melts and begins to brown on the edges. Press the tortilla onto the cheese. Flip the tortilla when the cheese is golden brown.1 tsp chili powder, 8 corn tortillas
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Fill the tortilla with steak, pickled onions, and salsa as you cook for 30 seconds to one minute to crisp up the second side. Repeat until you’ve cooked and assembled all of the tacos.8 tbsp Salsa
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Garnish the plates and serve immediately.3 Radishes, cilantro
Notes
- Assembly: After the meat is grilled, it’s helpful to have several skillets to heat and deliver the tortillas quickly to the table.
- Substitute Mexican 4 cheese blend for the authentic Mexican cheese varieties noted.