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Vegetarian Carne Asada Steaks with Poblano Chimichurri and Sofrito-Saffron Rice

Vegetarian Carne Asada Steaks with Poblano Chimichurri and Sofrito-Saffron Rice

Ingredients

Rice:

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil

  • ½ onion, finely chopped or grated

  • ¼ cup minced celery, from the heart

  • ¼ cup, about ½ carrot, finely chopped

  • 1 each jalapeno and serrano pepper, seeded and finely chopped

  • Salt and pepper

  • 2 cloves garlic, grated

  • A fat pinch of saffron threads, about 1 teaspoon  

  • 1 teaspoon lime zest

  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

  • 1 ½ cup vegetable stock

  • 1 cup organic basmati rice, rinsed 1-2 minutes

Chimichurri and Meati Carne Asada Steaks:

  • 1 large or 2 medium poblano peppers

  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed

  • ½ white onion, peeled and cut into wedges

  • 1 lime

  • 1 Tablespoon sherry vinegar  

  • A handful of cilantro

  • 1/4 cup EVOO, extra virgin olive oil

  • Salt, to taste   

  • 4 Meati Carne Asada Steaks, thawed

  • Non aerosol vegetable or plant oil cooking spray

Directions

Rice:

  1. Heat oil in a sauce pot, 2 turns of the pan, and add the onion, celery, carrot, jalapeno, and serrano pepper, and season with salt and pepper. 
  2. Let soften a bit, then add the garlic, saffron, lime and orange zest, and the stock. 
  3. Add the rice, bring to a boil, and simmer on low (covered), about 18 minutes.

Chimichurri and Meati Carne Asada Steaks:

  1. Preheat the broiler.

  2. Place the poblano pepper, garlic and onions on a foil-lined baking sheet and place under the broiler. Let char on all sides and remove. Cover the baking sheet well or immediately place the pepper in a small bowl and cover for 10-15 minutes to let steam. Remove the pepper, peel and seed.

  3. Place everything in a food processor with the juice of the lime, sherry vinegar, cilantro, EVOO and salt to taste.

  4. Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium to medium-high heat and spray with oil. Cook Carne Asada Steaks until crispy and brown, about 8-10 minutes, turning once. Let stand 5 minutes, slice and top with the chimichurri and serve rice alongside.