Freakin' Fabulous Steak Fajitas

Wow.  I just made the best fajitas!  I have made them before, but this time they turned out really great...I used a new technique that I learned from BrianJ to sear the steaks, and then allow them to rest on a wooden cutting board.  Man.  That is the best trick ever for preparing a juicy, perfectly cooked steak.  My butcher actually cut the steaks too thin for fajitas, but I guess that's what I get for not paying attention while she was slicing...they still turned out good though..I just quickly seared each side and allowed to rest.  The marinade is really simple, the whole meal only took about 45 minutes from start to finish (apart from marinating time).   Apart from the fajitas, I also made pico de gallo and guacamole.

steak fajitas

Recipe for Steak Fajitas:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds (3/4 kilo) steak (in 2 fillets)

For marinade:

juice from one lemon

2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 serrano pepper (or jalapeño, or other pepper of choice), minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 bunch cilantro, chopped (to equal about 1/3 cup or more to taste)

cracked black pepper to taste

For fajitas:

1 red bell pepper, sliced julienne

1 green bell pepper, sliced julienne

1 larger red onion, sliced julienne

8 flour tortillas

fajita fixings (grated cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, lettuce)

Preparation:

Prepare marinade and coat steaks liberally on both sides.

Refrigerate and allow to marinate for at least 1 hour (more is even better).

Meanwhile, prepare the guacamole and the pico de gallo (recipe to follow).

Heat a griddle or grill pan over moderately high heat, and sear the steak (depending on thickness, about 3 minutes per side for medium rare).

Remove steak to wooden cutting board and allow to rest 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss vegetables in the pan with the steak juices, just until tender/crisp.

Slice steaks very thinly and assemble fajitas.

Recipe for Pico de Gallo:

pico de gallo

Ingredients:

4 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced

1/2 small onion, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 green pepper, minced

about 1/4 cup minced cilantro

juice of 1/2 lemon

a splash of extra virgin olive oil

cracked black pepper to taste

ground cumin to taste

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients and allow to sit 15-30 minutes for flavors to blend.