Tax Day Tacos

Happy Thursday! Did you all get your taxes done and mailed? Adam and I got ours done (and spent the refund) almost two months ago! I love getting my taxes done early to avoid the rush and panic… and get the refund sooner!

I had a mean Mexican food craving today at work when a coworker had something that smelled cilantro-y, and immediately, my baked tofu and broccoli plan went out the window. I had to have tacos!

I hit the grocery store after work and picked up a few essentials, and set out to make the most delicious tacos I’d ever made. I know, a lofty goal, but when I want something, I want it GOOD. There’s no settling for Taco Bell when I want Frontera.

The lovely people at Marx Foods sent me all those chiles to try not too long ago, and I finally got up the nerve to try them tonight. I’m really glad I did, as the chiles added an amazing flavor I wouldn’t have been able to get another way. I found fresh white corn tortillas, and lean steak already cut up into bite sized pieces…it’s like the stars aligned for me to made tacos!

Smoky Spicy Steak Tacos

Marinade ingredients

* 4 small smoked serrano chiles

* juice of 4 limes

* 2 Tbsp. olive oil

* 1 c. hot water

* 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

* 1/2 tsp. onion powder

* 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

* 1/2 small onion, cut into chunks

Directions

Heat a frying pan over high heat, and add the chile peppers just until fragrant (about 2 minutes). Remove the peppers, cut off the stem and remove the seeds. Cut them into small pieces. Soak the chiles in the hot water for about 10 minutes until softened, then drain. Mix all the other ingredients into the chiles and puree with an immersion blender. Pour over meat, stir well, and allow to marinate from 30 minutes to two hours. Broil or pan-cook the meat, and serve.

Best tacos I’ve ever made? Abso-freaking-lutely! The marinade had a lovely smoky spiciness, and the acid in the lime juice combined with the vinegar helped tenderize the steak. And besides, what isn’t great with cheese, sour cream, and avocado on it?

Dessert was a bit odd… well, not odd, just not my typical dessert. When I was at the grocery store, I saw something… huge.

The two “little” ones are normal sized sweet potatoes. The top one could’ve eaten the other two. Instead, I ate IT! I made more low & slow sweet potato chunks and enjoyed them with a little cinnamon… so good!

I might still want some chocolate later, but that’s ok… It’ll be an early night for me anyway, I haven’t been sleeping too well, and bed sounds super lovely. Have a great Friday!

 

Tagged as: beef, chiles, Mexican, simple recipe, spicy, tacos