Cuban Inspired Flank Steak

Ummm yum.  Cuban food is Lauren's favorite, and this dish was a treat!  We made some variations on the following recipe: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/miami-cuban-style-steak-with-mojo

INGREDIENTS

• 1. 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  2. 1/3 cup water
  3. 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  4. 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  5. 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  6. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  7. 1/2 cup olive oil
  8. 8 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced crosswise
  9. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  10. 6 thin sirloin steaks (8 ounces each)
  11. 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  12. Vegetable oil, for the grill
  13. 2 sweet onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix the lime juice, water, orange juice, salt, oregano and pepper in a bowl.
2. Heat the olive oil in a deep saucepan over moderate heat. Add the garlic and cumin and cook until the garlic is fragrant and golden, about 2 minutes. Very carefully add the juice mixture and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and let the mojo cool to room temperature.
3. Arrange the steaks in a large glass baking dish. Add the cilantro to the mojoand pour half of it over the steaks; turn several times to coat evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Reserve the remaining mojo.
4. Light a grill. Lightly brush the grate with oil. Remove the steaks from the marinade and pat dry. Brush the onion slices with some of the reserved mojo.Grill the onion slices over the cooler part of the grill, until lightly charred and tender, about 4 minutes per side. Grill the steaks over high heat until medium rare, 2 minutes per side. Transfer the steaks and onions to a platter; spoon the remaining mojo on top and serve.

Instead of grilling the steak, we opted for the oven (arranging the extra onions on the sides and the steak in the middle) and checked the steak periodically.

Needless to say, the apartment smelled AMAZING, and it tasted just as good.  We also had a side salad with a simple Cuban dressing:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (or lime)

4 cloves garlic, mashed

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

By the way, the steak was just as awesome as leftovers for a steak and eggs breakfast!