Lime-soaked Cumin-crusted Skirt Steak

Description

Adapted from How to Cook Meat by Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby. Flank or round steak can be used instead of the skirt steak.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs skirt steak
• 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 8 limes)

For the Rub

• 3 tablespoons cumin seeds (or 1½ tablespoons ground cumin)
• 2½ tablespoons minced garlic
• ⅓ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
• kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

For the Relish

• ½ cup finely chopped pitted green olives
• 1 teaspoon chopped dried red chili peppers, of your choice to taste
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly cracked black pepper

Directions

1. Place the steak in a shallow dish and pour the lime juice over it.
2. Cover the dish and let it stand in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour, turning occasionally.
3. Light up a fire in your grill.
4. In a small bowl, combine all the rub ingredients and mix well.
5. Remove the steak from the marinade, pat dry with paper towels, and rub it all over with the spice rub, pressing gently to be sure it sticks.
6. When the fire has died down and the coals are hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches from the grill surface for 1 to 2 seconds), place the steak on the grill and cook until well-seared on one side, about 4 minutes.
7. Turn and continue to cook to the desired doneness, about 4 minutes more for rare.
8. To check for doneness: make a ¼-inch cut in the thickest part of the meat and take a peek; it should be slightly less done than you like it.
9. Remove the steak from the heat, cover it loosely with foil, and allow it to rest for 5 minutes while you make the relish.
10. In a medium bowl, combine all the relish ingredients and mix well.
11. Slice the steak as thin as possible against the grain and serve with the relish.
12. Enjoy!