MARINATED SKIRT STEAK BURRITOS

Marinated Skirt Steak Burritos image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Time 1h40m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon whole white peppercorns
2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, loosely packed
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 skirt steak, about 2 pounds, cut into 4 pieces
4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
6 cippolini or pearl or "boiler" onions, peeled and cut into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick rounds
2 to 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Pinch granulated sugar
1 cup stemmed, washed and halved cherry tomatoes
Olive oil
3 limes, 1/2 lime juiced, remaining limes cut into wedges
Kosher salt
1/2 cup washed and dried cilantro leaves
16 ounces sharp Cheddar, grated using the large "holes" on the grater
6 to 8 soft flour tortillas

Steps:

Add the black peppercorns, white peppercorns, coriander seeds, and pepper flakes to a saute pan over medium heat. Toast until they start to smell aromatic, about 1 to 2 minutes. Crush them in a mortar and pestle, or remove them to a cutting board and crush them with the bottom of a pan. Add the sugar and salt and toss to combine.
Coat 1 side of each piece of steak with a scant layer of the peppercorn mixture. Turn them on the other side and repeat. Put the steak on a baking sheet or earthenware dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to overnight.
Put the onion slices in a glass bowl and gently pull them apart with your fingers until you have a lot of individual rounds. Add the red wine vinegar and sugar. Use your fingers to coat the onions with the vinegar. Press them down into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside to marinate until ready to serve.
Heat 2 cast iron skillets large enough to hold the steaks. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil to each pan. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, season the steak lightly with salt and use a pair of metal tongs to gingerly put the steaks in the hot oil. Cook over high heat, 2 to 3 minutes, on the first side. If the steak becomes overly brown, lower the heat slightly as it cooks. Turn the steak on the second side and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the steak and allow it to "rest" on a flat surface, 10 minutes. Wipe out the skillets and use them to warm the tortillas, 1 at a time, over low heat. Alternatively, "char" the tortillas for a few seconds on an open flame.
In a small bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes with the juice of 1/2 lime, salt to taste, and the picked cilantro leaves. Stir to blend and taste for seasoning.
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Slice the steak, against the grain, into thin slices. Put a tortilla on a flat surface. Arrange some of the meat, the tomato mixture, cheese and pickled onions in an even line in the center of the tortilla. Remember that the best tasting burritos are ones that have a mix of all the different flavors in the fillings in each bite. Fold the edges into the center and roll it up, pressing as you roll to help keep its shape. Keep it warm on a plate in the oven whole you roll the others. Remove the burritos from the oven and serve immediately.