I'm back!!!

Hey all! Did you go stir crazy without me for a few weeks, and by that I mean we're you cooking up a storm? Big thanks to my colleagues in the Web department for sharing food tidbits with you while I was gone.

I was three weeks in California visiting my family and doing some travel pieces for the Times. I always enjoy seeing what's new in the grocery stores and on menus out there because those items/trends usually come our way in a few years. One year it was olive bars (they are here now) and figs, which I read a lot about for a few years. This year, it's garlic fries. They are everywhere, including at the park where the San Francisco Giants play. Make sure you have a toothbrush and some mouthwash though. They are tasty but leave a fabulous stink.

Time for a recipe, don't you think? I've got more stories to share but need to dive into the 1,000 e-mails that await. How many do you think I'll delete without opening? Maybe 95 percent.

How about grilling tonight? Man, it's way hotter than when I left in early June. Who wants to turn on the stove? Not me.

Serve Tequila-Lime Marinated Flank Steak with cole slaw or a three bean salad. Nothing hot.

TEQUILA-LIME MARINATED FLANK STEAK
1 tbsp. grated lime zest
¼ c. lime juice
2 tbsp. tequila
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 ½ tbsp. minced garlic
¼ c. chopped cilantro
1 tbsp. cumin seeds, toasted and crushed
1 tbsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. salt
1 flank steak, 1 ½ to 2 lb.

In a medium bowl, combine the lime zest and juice, tequila, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, cilantro, cumin, oregano and salt.

Place the steak in a large Ziploc-style bag and pour the marinade over the steak. Seal the bag and place in the refrigerator, turning the bag occasionally. Marinate at least 2 hours, and up to one day.

Preheat the grill to medium-high. Carefully oil the grill rack. Grill the steak to desired doneness, 8 to 10 minutes for rare to medium-rare. Let the steak rest 5 minutes before carving. Cut into thin slices, across the grain.

Serves 4 to 6.

Nutrition information per serving:
Calories 196
Fat 9 g
Sodium 210 mg
Carbohydrates 1 g
Saturated fat 3 g
Calcium 12 mg
Protein 26 g
Cholesterol 49 mg
Dietary fiber 0 g
Diabetic exchanges per serving: 3 ½ lean meat.

Source: McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Comments

[April]

Welcome back! Do you have a recipe for garlic fries? I went scalloping in Homosassa yesterday and fried up a batch for dinner. Garlic Fries sound like they would have been a perfect side.
I am going to make the flank steak one night this week- Thanks!

[Missy]

We love flank steak around here, so this recipe will be on the menu this week (but not tonight, because after arriving home from attempting to shop at SuperWalMart for groceries for the first time in over a year, I'm depressed and need comforting, so Pizza Hut is on the way).

Garlic fries actually sound pretty fantastic. Glad you're back and hope you enjoyed your (working) vacation.