Lunch / Dinner
Carne Asada Tacos Vampiro-Style
Vampiro does mean vampire — but these Carne Asada Tacos don’t come out just at night. Vampiro-style refers to a technique of lining a tortilla with a pan-fried disk of cheese. Sprinkling chile powder on the cheese is the advanced lesson.
Ingredients
TOAST:
WHISK:
COMBINE:
Instructions
Toast cumin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, 2–3 minutes; transfer to a mini food processor
Add jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, pepper, 1 tsp. salt, oil, and ¼ cup lime juice to mini food processor for the marinade; purée.
Cut steak crosswise into 4 pieces; place in a bowl, cover with marinade, and refrigerate 4–12 hours. Remove steak from marinade and bring to room temperature 30 minutes before grilling.
Whisk together orange juice, ¼ cup lime juice, 1 tsp. salt, and oregano; add onions. Chill pickled onions until ready to use.
Preheat grill to high. Brush grill grate with oil.
Grill steaks until lightly charred, 3–4 minutes per side, transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Slice steaks against the grain into thin strips.
Combine manchego, queso blanco, and Cotija.
Heat a cast-iron skillet on grill over high. Add about ⅓ cup cheese mixture to skillet, cook until it melts and begins to brown on edges; press tortilla into cheese. Flip tortilla when cheese is golden brown.
Fill tortilla, while crisps in pan, with steak, pickled onions, and salsa; serve immediately. Repeat procedure with remaining cheese, tortillas, steak, onions, and salsa.
Press a tortilla onto the melting cheese disk until adhered. Flip cheesy tortilla (so it's cheese side up) to crisp the other side of the tortilla.
Nutritional Facts
Nutritional Facts
Per taco
Calories: 602
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 55%
Saturated Fat 19g 95%
Cholesterol 131mg 43%
Sodium 1607mg 66%
Carbs 27g 9%
Protein 39g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.