Monday, July 28, 2014

Spicy Steak Tacos with Watermelon Salsa

Spicy Steak Tacos with Watermelon Salsa


It's Taco Tuesday, and everything is awesome!  Who else is watching the Lego movie on repeat?  I don't mind so much, especially when it inspires meals such as this.  This, along with my grilled summer veggie salad, have become my favorite dinners of the summer.  Two more big reasons to love it?   It's incredibly quick and easy, and healthy to boot.

The steak is rubbed with a spicy mixture of cayenne, black pepper, salt, and paprika, and then thrown on the grill.  Meanwhile, you simply mix up a quick watermelon salsa, warm your tortillas, and you're ready to eat.  The smokiness and spice from the steak pair wonderfully with the sweet and spicy watermelon salsa, and the cotija cheese gives the tacos a subtly creamy and salty finish.  I loved these tacos so much, and we all "mmm'ed" our way through dinner.  I served  these tacos with grilled Mexican-style street corn and more watermelon, and it was pretty much the perfect summer dinner.

So today's Tuesday… who wants tacos?

Spicy Steak Tacos with Watermelon Salsa 

Spicy Steak Tacs with Watermelon Salsa
adapted from Cooking Light, August 2014
serves 4

  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp vegetable oil
  • 1 pound flank or skirt steak, trimmed 
  • Cooking spray
  • green onions, roots trimmed, finely minced
  • 2 cups finely chopped fresh watermelon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • juice of 1/2 lime

  • 1/2 jalapeño chile, seeded and chopped
  • (6-inch) corn tortillas
  • 2 ounces cotija cheese, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
  1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
  2.  Combine 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, paprika, oil, and red pepper in a small bowl. Rub both sides of the steak with the pepper and oil mixture.
  3.  Arrange steak on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 3-4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes; cut steak across the grain into thin slices.
  4. 4. Combine watermelon, cilantro, green onions, lime juice, chile, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
  5. 5. Place tortillas on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 1 minute on each side or until lightly charred.  Divide steak, salsa, and cheese evenly among tortillas.


12 comments:

Josie said...

These look pretty darn amazing! They are going on our menu ASSP!!

Josie said...

Loving the idea of watermelon salsa. Screams summer to me!

Josie said...

Ah, The Lego Movie has made several appearances on our TV - and I can't say that all have been at the request of my 3-year-old!

Josie said...

Yummy! How do you do mexican street corn?

Josie said...

Oh my this is really over the top for a taco. But it goes to show that tacos can enter the 'casual elegant' ring and hold it's own. Nice contrast using the watermelon salsa. I like it.

Josie said...

Haha I had no idea the lego movie could inspire a meal like this! What I really want is a big bowl of that watermelon salsa. Big yum.

Josie said...

Hi there. Do you have a recipe for the strawberry salad you had used here for the Baptism? I know you have a strawberry chicken salad recipe, but I was looking for the regular one you made here. Also, do you have a print feature on your blog? Or am I missing it? Thanks!

Josie said...

Oh my gosh, these were wonderful! I don't have a scale so I threw in 3 cups of peaches from our peach trees out back. This was so scrumptious I could have eaten the whole pan by myself! Thanks for sharing.

Josie said...

Wendy, I'll send you a link, but it's basically grilled corn slathered with a creamy chile-lime dressing and then coated with cotija cheese (or parm). SO good!

Josie said...

Angie, I am pretty sure that it's my husband's choice moreso than my kids'!

Josie said...

yes, and it makes a killer salad the next day with some spinach and lettuce!

Josie said...

These were fantastic! Even my father (who thinks steak should be steak, tacos should come from an Old El Paso box, and salsa should be red and from a jar) devoured these!

Post a Comment

 
BLOG DESIGN BY: SHERBET BLOSSOM DESIGNS