Seared Steak, Pepper & Onion Fajitas (from Fine Cooking)

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 pinch cayenne
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 (9 ounce) new york strip steaks, 1 inch thick
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced ("or" 1/2 small red bell pepper and 1/2 small yellow bell pepper)
• 1 small yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh jalapenos, cored and seeded first
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 4 flour tortillas, warmed (8-8 1/2 "inch")
• 1 small ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
• sour cream
• chopped fresh tomatoes or jarred salsa
• fresh cilantro, springs

Recipe

• 1 combine the salt, pepper, cumin and cayenne in a small bowl.
• 2 rub the steak with the seasoning on both sides.
• 3 heat the oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking.
• 4 put the steak in the hot pan and sear for 3 minutes.
• 5 turn the steak and cook for another 2 minutes (it will be very rare but will cook more later on).
• 6 take the skillet off the heat, transfer the steak to a cutting board, and cover loosely with foil.
• 7 return the skillet to medium heat.
• 8 add the pepper and onion slices and sauté, stirring frequently, until soft, about 8 min.
• 9 add the jalapeno and garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, about 1 min.
• 10 slide the skillet off the heat and stir in the lime juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
• 11 cover to keep warm.
• 12 trim the fat from the side of the steak and cut the steak into thin (1/8- to 1/4-inch) slices.
• 13 add the slices to the skillet along with any accumulated juices.
• 14 toss until well blended.
• 15 stir in the chopped cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
• 16 serve immediately with warm flour tortillas, sliced avocado, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, and cilantro sprigs.