Monday, May 7, 2007

Seis de Mayo


Lime Cilantro Flank Steak, originally uploaded by mud pie gourmet.

Do you even know what Cinco de Mayo is about? We were in Mexico City on May 5th 2002 and it was just like May 6th and 7th... Why is it such a huge deal in the U.S.? Another reason to party. Here is a short history lesson: Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican Militia in a battle in Puebla, 1862. It was only one small triumph. The date of Mexico's independence from Spain is September 16th. We were also in Mexico on September 16th. That was a real celebration--fireworks, food, and even a special grito de independencia (all taking place the evening of the 15th). So, teach your friends something new, and now you have another day to have a fiesta, September 15th.

Lime Cilantro Flank Steak

1 1/2 lb Flank Steak or London Broil
3 limes, juiced and sliced (about 1 cup of juice)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, chopped
2 tsp cumin
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 serrano pepper, seeded for less spice if desired

Mix all ingredients except for steak in a large ziplock bag (including lime peels). Place steak in bag and coat with marinade. Let marinate 3 hours to overnight, turning bag over one time.

Heat grill. Over high heat, sear both sides of steak. Turn heat to medium high, with lid down cook 10-15 minutes per side, or till desired redness. Remove meat and place in aluminum foil, wrap tightly and let meat rest for 10 minutes. Slice meat diagonally and serve.

Our menu:

Lime Cilantro Flank Steak
Beans and Rice with Cilantro and Tomatoes
Corn Pudding (Barefoot Contessa's recipe--yummy!)
Quesadillas
Guacamole and Chips
Fresh Fruit

Pavlovas for dessert with kiwis and strawberries for Mexican colors!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

!Viva carne!

Carrie said...

Looks delich...and I remember a recipe from somewhere that had lime and cilantro I wanted to make. I literally have a notebook filled with printed or pulled out recipes that I've not yet made. So when you do grilling...is it you outside or does Sam rule the Que?

Ben said...

That picture just made my stomach growl...in Spanish too.

Inspiration Station said...

That's so interesting how we've made Cinco de Mayo more of a big deal in the U.S. than Mexico! The food looks great!

Jules said...

CARE--
I cannot lie. Sam usually grills if he is home (I have plenty of other things to do for the meal), but there have been many times that he is not, in which case I am the queen. Sam is the master.

S. said...

A source no less reliable than Wikipedia reports that Cinco de Mayo has indeed flourished in the United States in response to--What else?--the increased commercialization of the holiday here. My theory: Americans need only the smallest of hypnotic suggestions to take a special occasion and run with it.

Hope Sam saved some meat for the rest of us.

Tracie said...

Jules,

I am drooling. D-R-O-O-L-I-N-G. Maybe I should spend less time taking pics of my kids, and more time making your recipes FOR my kids. I think they would appreciate the food more than they do the camera.

Carrie said...

Jules...
I'm impressed! Scott is definitly the king of grilling around here too. I totally agree that when it's a grilling night, there is PLENTY of preping and other dishes besides the grilling. But I'm VERY impressed that when Sam's not home you'll do in anyhow! My desire to make a good meal when Scott isn't home for it deminishes a great deal. I've never grilled by myself...granted we have a charcoal grill...I'm hoping you have a gas grill:) But you are also a lawn mowing professional and I've never done that either! I'm finding that I'm pretty good at excuses because I have a lot of good allergy/ezcema excuses for the lawn mowing:) You definitly are a Queen!! Love ya!

Erin said...

So glad you stumbled across my blog, so I could stumble across yours. I've already found like 3 recipes that I can't wait to try. Yum!

Melin said...

Do your kids actually eat this food? I'd love to cook like that but literally would end up eating it all myself...which, honestly I have in the past. Maybe I'll try this whole meal and see if they do it...stupid picky eaters. Anyway, looks awsome.

Jules said...

All recipes posted have been tested by my 19mo old and almost 4 year old (and of course my husband). Now, I won't lie, the meat was dipped in Ranch dressing for the kids. Also, for this meal we had a family over who have 5 kids--ages 11 to 2. There was basically NOTHING left at the end of the meal.