Tequila and Lime Skirt Steak Tacos

My dad told me that since my birthday week is over, I can’t write any more posts about it.  So this post will have to be not about  the event for which I threw this party, but rather about the party itself, which could’ve been for any old reason, really.  It could’ve been an early Cinco de Mayo party, or a Mother’s Day party to which I didn’t invite my mother.  Or even a “just because it’s grilling season” party.

Anyway, last Saturday I threw a party at my house, and we ate and drank and it was very fun, and the food was very good, so I thought I’d share some recipes and pictures.  The culinary theme was Mexican, so we had tequila-marinated steak tacos with pickled red onions and queso fresco, spicy chipotle cream dip, fried avocados, sangria, and margaritas.  It was a beautiful Saturday night, so we sat outside in the garden, and my roommate hung up the outdoor lights that signify summer is coming, and Trevor grilled, and it was a great way to spend a night.  Even though it did require most of Sunday to recover from the events that took place after the party, which included stops at a few more party locations, more than a few more drinks, a little dancing, and waking up at my friend’s Newbury St apartment on Sunday morning surrounded by marathoners.  And let me tell you, waking up in last night’s clothes and stumbling out into a street filled with people gearing up to run 26 miles the next day does not make you feel like a successful person.  But it was pretty funny.  All in all, the evening was well worth the recovery.

The steak tacos were definitely the gastronomic highlight of the evening (well, besides the tequila shots, but I can’t very well share a recipe for tequila shots).  It’s a very simple recipe from Antojitos, which is one of my all-time favorite cookbooks (full review and more recipes here).  You just briefly marinate skirt steak in tequila, olive oil, lime juice, and onion, then grill until medium, rest, slice, and serve with your favorite taco fixings.  The marinade and grilling results in a very tender and flavorful steak for such an inexpensive cut of beef.  We served them with guacamole, queso fresco, chipotle crema, and pickled red onions, and they were delish.

Grilling season!  Summertime!  Get excited for it.

Tequila-and-Lime-Marinated Skirt Steak Tacos

Recipe from Antojitos.  Serves 6.

• 2 lbs skirt steak, fat trimmed
• 1 c. olive oil
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1/2 c. tequila
• 1/4 c. fresh lime juice (2-3 limes)
• 1 TBS sugar
• 1 TBS kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 12 small tortillas
• 1 recipe pickled red onions (recipe below)
• 1 recipe chipotle crema
• 2 avocados, diced
• 1 c. crumbled queso fresco

Quick Pickled Red Onions

Recipe adapted from Antojitos.  Serves 6.

• 1 red onion, very thinly sliced
• 1 c. fresh lime juice
• 2 jalapeno chilies, seeded and diced
• 1 tsp kosher salt

1. Stir together onion, lime juice, chilies, and salt.  Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 3-5 hours, stirring once or twice, until onions have begun to turn bright pink and have softened somewhat.  Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.  (Flavor will continue to develop over the course of the week).