Tampico-Style Steak Combo
Carne a la Tampiqueña
Recipe Yield
6 servings
Cooking time
50 minutes
Rate this recipe
Ingredients
For the steak:
- 6 (6 ounce) beef tenderloin slices, 2″ to 3″ thick
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- To taste kosher or sea salt
- To taste freshly ground black pepper
- Vegetable oil to cook the meat
For the poblano strips or rajas:
- 6 poblano chiles
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup white onion thinly-sliced
- To taste kosher or sea salt
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- 1 slice panela cheese (or asadero or blanco)
- 1 ripe Mexican avocado halved, scooped and sliced
To Prepare
To cut and prepare the meat:
- On a large cutting board, hold one piece of beef upright and, with a sharp knife, make a vertical cut into the meat about 1/4″ deep. Continue slicing around the circumference of the piece, unrolling a thin layer of beef as you go, stopping to turn it when you need to, until you get a long strip 1/4″ thick and about 2″ wide. Continue with the rest of the pieces.
- Season the meat on both sides with the lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper.
- When the meat is ready, lightly coat a griddle or large 12″ skillet with vegetable oil and set over medium-high heat. Once it is very hot, cook the meat for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, depending on your desired done-ness level.
To prepare the poblano strips or rajas:
- Place the poblano chiles on a tray under the broiler, directly on a grill or directly on an open flame. I prefer to broil them, it’s faster and easier. Whatever method you choose, turn them every 2 to 3 minutes for a total of 6 to 9 minutes. They’ll seem charred and blistered on the outside; the flesh must be cooked but not burnt — like roasting marshmallows over a fire.
- Once charred and hot, place them in a plastic bag, close it tightly and let them sweat for 10 to 20 minutes. Then, and preferably under a thin stream of cold water, remove the charred skin, make a slit down one side of the pepper and remove the cluster of seeds and veins. Cut the stem off and make slices that are about a 1/2″ inch wide.
- Heat the oil and butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion, cook for 6 to 8 minutes. Add the rajas (the poblano pepper strips) and cook for a few more minutes. Add the vinegar, cook another minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
To prepare the grilled cheese:
- Heat a griddle, grill pan or nonstick or seasoned cast iron skillet over medium heat until hot. Place the cheese slice on the grill pan and cook until lightly browned. Cut the cheese into 6 slices.
To serve:
- Prepare each plate with one piece of steak, some poblano pepper strips, two enchiladas and a slice of the grilled cheese. The meal is traditionally served with a side of tortillas, refried beans sprinkled with cheese, a slice of avocado and the salsa of your choice.
Comments
4comments inTampico-Style Steak Combo
Penny Maher
Jun 29
Patti I tried this. I know never be good as yours but for me doing it turned out pretty good. Thank you. penny.
I’m just a small town ms girl. So this is really special to be able to get advice from you. So wonderful
Pati Jinich
Jun 30
Thanks so much Penny, glad you could enjoy this combo!
Tim Rooney
Oct 01
I have made my version of this recipe (only a few changes) so many times i have lost count. Even if you can’t get the steak cut into thin strips, your steak will have so much flavor from the marinade that you will want to eat this meal again and again. This is my “go to” steak dinner for any guests at our home. the poblanos and onions will take this meal over the top for friends and family. One of my favorite meals of all time and it was great the first time and the last time.
Pati Jinich
Oct 02
So happy to hear this, Tim…thank you!