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Lenard Rubin of the Vig Shares his Carne Asada Recipe

Chef Rubin of The Vig and The Vig Uptown joined us this week's Chef Chat. Rubin was kind enough to share his Carne Asada on Potato Pancake With Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Crema, Cotija Cheese and Roasted Tomato-Garlic Sauce...
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Chef Rubin of The Vig and The Vig Uptown joined us this week's Chef Chat. Rubin was kind enough to share his Carne Asada on Potato Pancake With Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Crema, Cotija Cheese and Roasted Tomato-Garlic Sauce.

Serves Four
Ingredients:
 
  • 1 lb. Carne Asada (recipe to follow)
  • 4 each Potato Pancakes (recipe to follow)
  • 6 oz. Guacamole (recipe to follow)
  • 4 oz. Pico de Gallo (recipe to follow)
  • ½ cup Sour Cream
  • 3tbs. Heavy Cream
  • 1 ½ cups Roasted Tomato-Garlic (recipe to follow)
  • 4 oz. Queso Cotija (crumbled)
  • 4 sprigs Cilantro
 
Method:
 
Mix the sour cream and heavy cream together in a bowl until smooth.
Grill carne asada until browned nicely, turn over and repeat.
Place carne asada into 400° F oven until cooked to desired temperature 
for rare about 5 minutes, well done will take about 15 to 20 minutes).
Let carne asada rest for a few minutes before cutting thin slices.
Cook potato pancake in pan or on a griddle until golden brown on each side.
Spoon tomato-garlic sauce onto plate and top with a hot potato pancake.
Arrange carne asada slices in a layered circle pattern around the top of the potato pancake.
Spoon a dollop of guacamole in the center of the carne asada.
Sprinkle pico de gallo on top of the carne asada and around the plate.
Sprinkle queso cotija on top of the carne asada and around the plate.
Drizzle the sour cream/ heavy cream mixture (crema) in a zig-zag pattern over the dish.

Carne Asada
Ingredients:
  • 1 lb. Flank Steak or small bistro tenderloin(trimmed of all fat)
  • 2 ea. Garlic Cloves (peeled)
  • ½ each Jalapeno (stem removed)
  • ¼ bunch Cilantro
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 1 each Oranges (juice of)
  • 1 each Limes (juice of)
  • 3 tbs. Sherry Vinegar
  • 1 each Chipotle Chilies (canned in adobo sauce)
  • 2 tsp. Cumin (ground)
  • 1 tsp. Oregano
  • 3 tbs. Worcestershire Sauce
  • ¼ cup  Olive Oil
 
Method:
Place all ingredients except the beef into a food processor and puree.
Place beef in a shallow pan and cover with marinade.
Let marinate for at least 3 hours but not more than 6 hours as the meat will become too stringy.

Potato Pancakes
Ingredients:
  • 2 each Baking Potatoes (washed)
  • ¼ small Yellow Onion (peeled)
  • 1 large Eggs (beaten slightly)
  • 3 tbs. Flour
  • ¼ tsp. Baking Powder
  • To taste  Salt
  • To taste  Ground Black Pepper
 
Method:
Grate potatoes into a colander placed in the sink and let sit for 15 minutes (they will turn a reddish-brown).
Grate the onion into a bowl.
Rinse the potatoes under cold water until all color is gone, squeeze out excess liquid with hands.
Place potatoes in bowl with grated onion and stir in remaining ingredients until incorporated.
Spoon potato mixture onto a greased griddle or sauté pan and flatten to desired diameter and thickness.
Cook until golden brown on one side, turn over and repeat.

Guacamole
Ingredients:
  • 2 each Avocadoes (peeled and de-seeded)
  • 2 tbs. Red Onion (peeled, minced fine)
  • ½ each Jalapenoes (stem and seeds removed, minced fine)
  • ¼ bunch Cilantro (chopped)
  • 1 each Limes (juice of)
  • ½ each Lemon (juice of)
  • ½ each Tomatoes (seeds and pulp removed, diced small)
  • ½  tsp. Chili Powder
  • To taste Salt
  • To taste ground Black Pepper
 
Method:
Mash avocado with potato masher or a fork.
Mix in remaining ingredients.

Pico de Gallo
Ingredients:
  • 2 medium Tomatoes (seeds and pulp removed, diced small)
  • 1 tbs. Red Onion (peeled, minced fine)
  • ½ each Jalapeno (stem and seeds removed, minced fine)
  • ½ tsp. Garlic (peeled, minced fine)
  • 1 each Limes (juice of)
  • ¼ bunch Cilantro (chopped)
  • To taste Salt
  • To taste Ground Black Pepper
 
Method:
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Tomato-Garlic Sauce
Ingredients:

  • 4 medium Ripe Tomatoes (cut in quarters)
  • ¼ small Onion (peeled, chopped medium)
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 3 tbs. Olive Oil
  • ¼ cup Tomato Juice
  • To taste Salt
  • To taste Ground Black Pepper
 
Method:
Place tomatoes, onion, garlic and olive oil in a small roasting pan, season with salt and pepper and toss so that all ingredients are coated in the oil.
Bake in a 350° oven until softened and golden brown, about 20 to 30 minutes.
Puree in a blender with tomato juice and more salt and pepper if needed, until smooth.
Do not strain.

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