skirt steak fajitas, peas, carrots, potatoes

2021-01-23

Not something I had tried before.

Skirt steak is the inner layer of the diaphragm, a thin sheet of long muscle fibers that looks ideal for pulled meat aka 'carne deshebrada.' I bought one 5-lb. package during the Covid quarantine, divided it up in 3 smaller packages, and the other two were braised.

However, if you remove the tough sheets that enwrap the muscle, this can be a surprisingly tender cut. It is often used for stir-fry meat or fajita-like recipes: sear the meat at very high heat for only a few minutes. The outside may appear a bit scorched, but the inside is still juicy.

I did marinate the cut-up meat for several hours. It delayed the searing somewhat, but if the pan ish hot enough, it works out just fine.

This is one of the very few times that I use a super-heated cast-iron pan to get that sizzling-searing typical for fajitas. Do not try this with a non-stick pan. Super-heating non-stick causes toxic fumes that kill birds.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 2 servings:

1 lb. skirt steak
2 medium potatoes
8 oz. button mushrooms
1/2 lb. peas & carrots
S&P, seasoning

Pic1: skirt steak fajitas, peas &carrots, potatoes, mushrooms

Directions

2021-02-24

Pic2-4: skirt steak

Lay out the skirt steak.
With a sharp knife, remove the tendon sheet around the muscle.
Cut into bite-sized pieces, short side across the muscle fibers.
If desired marinate for a few hours.
I used a mixture of madeira wine, powdered ginger, pepper, soy sauce, paprika and berbere.
Drain the meat just before cooking, and reserve the remaining marinade liquid.

Pic5-7: searing fajitas in cast-iron pan

Preheat a cast-iron pan on the stove.
Sear the fajitas in small batches. The meat should sizzle as soon as it touches the pan.
Stir frequently to turn the meat to brown evenly.
Remove from heat when you reach the desired doneness.
Serve immediately.

Pic8: peas & carrots, potatoes
Pic9+10: served

Combine vegetables in a small saucepan. Add 1/2 cup of water, S&P, seasoning.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer 10-15 minutes until desired doneness.
Meanwhile, sear the fajitas.
Serve and enjoy.

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more and avemariasongs.org

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more
and avemariasongs.org