Friday, September 23, 2011

STEAK TACOS

Cook's Illustrated

STEAK TACOS

Serves 4 to 6.   Published September 1, 2008.   From Cook's Illustrated.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

To develop a steak taco recipe with an indoor cooking method that yielded steak taco meat as tender, juicy, and rich-tasting as the grilled method, we chose flank steak, beefy and tender when sliced thinly across the grain. Pan-searing gave us the browned exterior and crisp, brittle edges characteristic of grilled meat. A paste of oil, cilantro, scallions, garlic, and jalapeño applied to the meat and scraped off just before cooking gave our steak taco recipe a flavor boost without sacrificing browning.

For a less spicy dish, remove some or all of the ribs and seeds from the jalapeños before chopping them for the marinade. In addition to the toppings suggested below, try serving the tacos with Sweet and Spicy Pickled Onions (see related recipe), thinly sliced radishes or cucumber, or salsa.


INGREDIENTS
Herb Paste
  • 1/2cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
  • 3medium garlic cloves , roughly chopped
  • 3medium scallions , roughly chopped (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1medium jalapeño chile , stemmed and roughly chopped (see note)
  • 1/2teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4cup vegetable oil
  • 1tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • Steak
  • 1flank steak (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds), trimmed of excess fat and cut lengthwise (with grain) into 4 equal pieces (see below)
  • 1tablespoon kosher salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
  • 1/2teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Tacos
  • 12
    (6-inch) corn tortillas , warmed (see note)
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Minced white or red onion
  • Lime wedges

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. FOR THE HERB PASTE: Pulse cilantro, garlic, scallions, jalapeño, and cumin in food processor until finely chopped, ten to twelve 1-second pulses, scraping down sides as necessary. Add oil and process until mixture is smooth and resembles pesto, about 15 seconds, scraping down sides of workbowl as necessary. Transfer 2 tablespoons herb paste to medium bowl; whisk in lime juice and set aside.
  • 2. FOR THE STEAK: Using dinner fork, poke each piece of steak 10 to 12 times on each side. Place in large baking dish; rub all sides of steak pieces

    evenly with salt and then coat with remaining herb paste. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

  • 3. Scrape herb paste off steak and sprinkle all sides of pieces evenly with sugar and pepper. Heat oil in 12-inch heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until smoking. Place steak in skillet and cook until well browned, about 3 minutes. Flip steak and sear until second side is well browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Using tongs, stand each piece on a cut side and cook, turning as necessary, until all cut sides are well browned and internal temperature registers 125 to 130 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 2 to 7 minutes. Transfer steak to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.
  • 4. FOR THE TACOS: Using sharp chef’s knife or carving knife, slice steak pieces across grain into 1/8-inch-thick pieces. Transfer sliced steak to bowl with herb paste-lime juice mixture and toss to coat. Season with salt. Spoon small amount of sliced steak into center of each warm tortilla and serve immediately, passing toppings separately.

    SHOPPING

    Corn Tortillas for Tacos

    The rule of thumb when buying tortillas is to buy a brand made with nothing more than ground corn treated with lime (an alkali that removes the germ and hull) and water. Look for brands sold in the refrigerator case of the supermarket, as these have few, if any, preservatives and tend to be more moist and flavorful.

    STEP-BY-STEP

    Keys to Tender, Flavorful Beef

    1. Cut: Slice flank steak into strips that can be browned on all sides.

    2. Poke: Pierce steak pieces with fork to allow herb paste to penetrate.

    3. Salt: Season meat and coat with herb paste; let stand at least 30 minutes.

    4. Sear: Cook steak in generous 2 tablespoons oil to promote browning.

    5. Slice: Cut steak thinly across grain to ensure tenderness.

    6. Toss: Mix steak with more herb paste and lime juice to brighten flavors.

    TECHNIQUE

    How to Warm Tortillas

    Our preferred method for warming tortillas is to place each one over the medium flame of a gas burner until slightly charred, about 30 seconds per side. We also like toasting them in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until softened and speckled with brown spots, 20 to 30 seconds per side. You can also use the oven: Divide the tortillas into 2 stacks and wrap each stack in foil. Heat the tortillas on the middle rack of a 350-degree oven for 5 minutes.

    Keep the warmed tortillas wrapped in foil or a kitchen towel until ready to use or they will dry out. (If your tortillas are very dry, pat each with a little water before warming.)

    America's Test Kitchen

    America’s Test Kitchen is a 2,500-square-foot kitchen located just outside of Boston. It is the home of Cook’s Country and Cook’s Illustrated magazines and is the workday destination for more than three dozen test cooks, editors, and cookware specialists. Our mission is to test recipes until we understand how and why they work and arrive at the best version. We also test kitchen equipment and supermarket ingredients in search of brands that offer the best value and performance. You can watch us work by tuning in to America’s Test Kitchen (www.americastestkitchen.com) on public television.

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    Redneck Love Poem

    Tuesday, September 20, 2011

    When I Win The Lottery

    Lottery

    Bubba and Johnny Ray were sittin' on the front porch drinking beer when a large truck hauling huge rolls of sod went by.


    I'm gonna do dat when I win the lottery", said Bubba.

    "Do what?" asked Johnny Ray.

    "Send my grass out to be mowed."

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    Winning the Lottery (repaired post)


     

    "Do what?" asked Johnny Ray.


     

    "Send my grass out to be mowed."


     


     

     


     


     


     


     


     


     


     


     

     

     


     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Winning the Lottery

    "Do what?" asked Johnny Ray.


    "Send my grass out to be mowed."








     



     


     


     


     

     

     


     


     

     


     


     


     


     


     


     


     


     

     

     


     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Wednesday, September 14, 2011

    Reply from Senator Roy Blunt, Thank you for your thoughts on the United Nations.

    Sent: September 14, 2011 10:27 AM
    Subject: Reply from Senator Roy Blunt

    Dear Daniel,

    Thank you for your thoughts on the United Nations.

    As you know, the U.N. was founded in 1945 in an effort to maintain global peace and security by fostering friendly relations among member states. Since then, the U.N. has set forth many international resolutions and treaties regarding living standards, human rights, health initiatives, global security, counter terrorism, good governance, economic and social development and environmental protections. Some of these proposals have been responsible and have furthered U.S. interests. But others have been wildly irresponsible efforts by dangerous regimes to score political points against our country and our allies. We need to recognize the difference and act accordingly.

    The United States is already an international leader in promoting and protecting rights. We must carefully avoid bending to restrictive international law over U.S. constitutional law and self-government. Our democracy is founded upon the rights of citizens to voice their views to one another and to their elected officials.

    The most important duty and responsibility of our federal government is to protect the nation from every aggression against its people, their rights and freedoms as citizens, and our independence as a nation. U.N. Treaties and resolution shouldn't be signed just to make U.N. bureaucrats feel useful. The U.S. Senate has a constitutional responsibility to consider treaties and resolutions on the basis of their value to our country, not those of other countries or global organizations.

    Again, thank you for contacting me. I look forward to continuing our conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SenatorBlunt) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RoyBlunt) about the important issues facing Missouri and the country. I also encourage you to visit my website (blunt.senate.gov) to learn more about where I stand on the issues and sign-up for my e-newsletter.


    Sincere regards,

    Roy Blunt
    United States Senator 

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    Join me in supporting full funding of the United Nations!

    Next week, the Senate State Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee will mark up their legislation funding the State Department, foreign assistance, and the UN.

    By slashing UN funding we send the wrong signal - that the U.S. would rather go it alone than combat global challenges alongside our international partners. And underfunding our commitments to UN programs and agencies undermines our interests at home and abroad.

    Join me in telling Congress to fully fund our commitment to the UN.

    To take action on this issue, click on the link below:
    http://www.globalproblems-globalsolutions.org/site/Advocacy?s_oo=RnwOXgHyE4HN... If the text above does not appear as a link or it wraps across multiple lines, then copy and paste it into the address area of your browser.
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    Monday, September 12, 2011

    Changie

    -263453463aea1eb4
    This album has 1 photo and will be available on SkyDrive until 12/11/11.

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    Friday, September 9, 2011

    Here's how the American Jobs Act works

    Sent: September 09, 2011 01:45 PM
    Subject: Here's how the American Jobs Act works


    The White House, Washington


    Good afternoon,

    Last night President Obama walked Congress and the nation through the American Jobs Act, his plan to create jobs in America now. It's up to Congress to act on this set of bipartisan ideas that put people back to work and put more money into the pockets of working Americans.

    You can watch a special enhanced version of the speech, featuring charts and other relevant information here:

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/jobsactfacts?utm_source=email125&utm_medium=ima...">

    Here are a few important points about how the American Jobs Act works, and why Congress should act quickly:

    • First, it provides a tax cut for small businesses, not big corporations, to help them hire and expand now and provides an additional tax cut to any business that increases wages.
    • Second, it puts people back to work, including teachers, first responders and veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, and construction workers repairing crumbling bridges, roads and more than 35,000 public schools, with projects chosen by need and impact, not earmarks and politics.
    • Third, it helps out-of-work Americans by extending unemployment benefits to help them support their families while looking for work and reforming the system with training programs that build real skills, connect to real jobs and help the long-term unemployed.
    • Fourth, it puts more money in the pockets of working and middle class Americans by cutting in half the payroll tax that comes out of every worker's paycheck, saving families an average of $1,500 a year. And it removes the barriers that exist in the current federal refinancing program (HARP) to help more Americans refinance their mortgages at historically low rates, save money and stay in their homes.

    The American Jobs Act is based on ideas supported by both Democrats and Republicans, and is fully paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes and by asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. It would have an immediate impact on job and economic growth, but Congress has to act now.

    You can learn more about the American Jobs Act on http://www.whitehouse.gov/jobsactfacts?utm_source=email125&utm_medium=tex..." style="COLOR: #336699;">Whitehouse.gov.

    Over the next few days there are a number of ways for you to ask questions and engage with Administration officials about the American Jobs Act including Open for Questions live panels and Twitter Office Hours.

    In fact, next week, I’ll be participating in my very first White House Office Hours on Twitter, so be sure to tune in and send me your questions using the hashtag #WHChat.

    Here’s a list of the full lineup of events so far:

    • Today at 4:30 p.m. EDT: Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council will be answering your questions on Twitter during White House Office Hours using the hashtag #WHChat.
    • Monday September 12 at 4:30 p.m. EDT: White House Office Hours on Twitter with Stephanie Cutter, Assistant to the President and Deputy Senior Advisor.
    • Tuesday, September 13 at 5:30 p.m. EDT: I’ll be answering your questions on Twitter during White House Office Hours using the hashtag #WHChat.
    • Wednesday, September 14th at 4:00 p.m. EDT: White House Office Hours with Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic council.

    Sincerely,

    David Plouffe

    Senior Advisor to the President

    P.S. After last night’s address, a few White House policy experts answered questions about the speech. Check out the video of the event: http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2011/09/08/open-questions-am..." style="COLOR: #336699;">WhiteHouse.gov/JobsSpeechOFQ

     http://whitehouse.gov?utm_source=email125&utm_medium=footer&utm_campa...">




     
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