GAME-STOPPING MAIN COURSE
He also recommends, for the best tailgate experience, to keep it simple. “At the end of the day, the most important thing is spending quality time with friends and family,” Devine said. “Bonus for anything that can be made ahead of time and held for a couple of days.” Devine also suggests that a standout tailgate only takes a few small touches to make it special. “A few simple decorative elements can make a big difference,” he added. “Use patterned napkins, serve food on bamboo plates instead of paper, or add some LED or string lights for ambiance.” Kevin Devine of Crave Catering suggests carne asada as a main course because it can be prepared and marinated the day before.
SUPER EASY GRILLED CARNE ASADA Serves 4-6 Ingredients: 2 lbs skirt steak at least 1/2" thick 4 garlic cloves 1 Tablespoon coarse salt 1/4 onion, sliced
2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano 1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 cup lime juice (about two limes) 1/4 cup orange juice (about one small orange) 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup light beer (optional) 1-2 jalapenos cut in half lengthwise 1/4 bunch cilantro Cherry tomatoes (optional for garnish) Cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish) Lime wedges (optional for garnish)
Photo courtesy of Kevin Devine
Preparation: 1. Salt and pepper your steak (be sure to trim any excess fat off of the beef). 2.Combine all ingredients (except for the steak and garnishes) in a blender or food processor. Pulse ingredients until a chunky paste forms. 3. Using a fork, stab your steak all over to tenderize and allow the marinade to flavor the meat. 4. Place the steak in a gallon ziplock bag and add the marinade. Remove air from bag, seal, and massage the steak in the bag. Place in the fridge overnight. 5. Remove steak from marinade about one hour before grilling. Preheat the grill using a medium-high heat. 6. Grill the steak for about four minutes on each side and place it on a clean plate to rest for 15 minutes. You can cover it with foil to help retain a little of the heat. 7. Slice across the grain and enjoy. You can garnish with lime wedges, chopped cilantro, or cherry tomatoes as we did in the picture above.
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