Just add fire....

Cooking is an art form. You might be saying .... "Women belong in the kitchen". You would be dead wrong. Any one with a sense of flavor and excitement belongs in the kitchen. Sure you eat for many different reasons. The first one is for sustenance; to keep you alive. The next is to satisfy flavor. Boredom is a bad reason, but I find the biggest reason to cook is to be social.
The meal and cooking its self is a social act. Pack animals eat together. People feel funny when they eat alone. The best meals are meals shared. To break bread with some one is to share your food and home with some one.  I started by learning how to grill over a charcoal flame. The raw mixing of fire and meat and a touch of spice. This was my stepping stone for cooking.  My dad taught me one basic recipe that is a classic and yet can be custom tailored to your taste buds. I love it, my friends love it and all have taken it and made it their own. 

The best place to buy Arrachera is a Mexican market. They will usually have it ready for you to grill or at least know what you want right away. Order about a pound per person that is going to show (half for kids). Have them open it up for you (butterfly). The butcher will also trim off excess fat and run it through the tenderizer machine for you (twice).  From there its up to you; Marinade it in bear, lime juice, orange juice, chipotle sauce, lemon pepper, salt and garlic. Add any or all. The amounts are up to you. So experiment and see what works for you. I try to let it soak for at least 3 hours. Fire up the grill and cook over direct flame.  Its thin so it will cook fairly quickly. Warm some tortillas on the fire and enjoy. I'll tell you it beats your regular burgers and dogs every time.

• Arrachera 3 lbs (skirt steak)
• 1 beer (The cheap stuff works here)
• Juice of three limes
• Garlic power
• 1 can of chipotle sauce
• Course salt and pepper

Drop it all in a plastic bag and let it sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Cook and enjoy. If you want you can add lettuce, salsa and what ever floats your boat. Personally I just like salsa and a touch of lime.

I hope that this is your first step in enjoying and making real food. Your friends will love you for it. Sit, laugh, crack open a beer and enjoy. From here it only gets better. The world will melt away as you enjoy a good meal with a friend.

There are many many other foods from other parts of the world. I hope and pray that you get the chance to try them all. From pickled eggs and garlic crab to a prosciutto sandwich and bone soup.  Food is what binds us all together as people.  Eat drink and enjoy.

 

With Love ,

Dad