Cajun Steak Fajita



Upgrade your boxed-taco Tuesday with this fusion-spiced fajita!

Disclaimer: will fail every purity test & may offend traditionalist. This is Tex-Mex with a melting-pot twist. I know Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce may look questionable and cinnamon sounds straight up wtf to some. But together they give the dish that je ne sais quoi, that reminds you a little of the meat in a shepard's pie, a little of a Chinese soy braise, and a little of a Jamaican jerk rub.

You can quadruple the spice blend, swapping teaspoon with tablespoon, & store in an 8oz jar. It's good for tacos, shrimps, blacked chicken or salmon, or jarred gifts!

Ingredients:

Spice blend:
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic salt
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Marinade:
  • 4 tbsp spice blend
  • 4 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
Meat & Veggies:
  • 1.5 lb flank or skirt steak
  • 1 large onion, preferably Vidalia, sliced
Recommended Sides & Toppings:
    Cilantro rice:
    • 2 cups rice 
    • 1/2 small lime, juiced & zested
    • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
    Corn salsa:
    • 1 cup corn
    • 2 tbsp diced red onion
    • 1/2 small lime, juiced & zested
    Grated Cheese
    Warm Tortilla
Instruction:
Combine spice blend, oil, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce; mix until you have a thick uniform paste. Cut steak into 4oz portions & thoroughly coat each piece in marinade. Let it stand while you cut up the onion & heat up the pan. Thinly brush the bottom of a cast iron skillet with oil & heat on medium high. Sear steak on medium-high heat for 3 minutes per side. Remove steak from heat and let it rest. Saute the sliced onions (and/or pepper, if using) while the steak rest. Cook vegetable on medium heat until softened. Cut steak across the grain and return back to pan. add back any juice from resting plate. Toss meat with vegetable in skillet.

Prepare your preferred sides. Microwave frozen corn for 1 min, toss with diced onion, juice & zest of half a small lime. Use the other half for cilantro rice. Grate some cheese of your choice - cheap supermarket cheddar or mozzarella work great here as everything melts into the spiced meat. Microwave tortilla for half a minute. Just before serving, heat the skillet until sizzling. Serve table top with warm tortilla & sides.

Enjoy!



Video Instruction:




Economy cast iron links:

Pre-seasoned cast iron griddle, 10.5 inch ($15): https://amzn.to/2H2Nuyy
Pre-seasoned double handle wide griddle, 14 inch ($24): https://amzn.to/2C7F4QR
Enameled cast iron, 11 inch ($45): https://amzn.to/2SMByTa
Lodge enameled casserole with lid, 12.5 inch, ($59): https://amzn.to/2C5XEsE

Enameled coating on cast iron prevents rusting, and makes the cookware more low-maintenance (no seasoning required). I have spent an unreasonable amount of $ on premium brands like Staub and Le Creuset, with zero regret because they're beautiful, but truth be told they don't cook any differently from my off brand enameled cast iron from amazon. If you're unsure if you'd love cast iron cooking, start with the $15~25 cheap stuff!



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