Churrasco with Chimichurri Sauce, Raisin Rice & Beans, & Grilled Flat Bread

If you'd like to try something ethnic and a little exotic, this is the meal for you. My favorite thing about it is how easy the entire meal comes together so quickly. A favorite way to serve this is as pictured above, everything layered one on top of the other so the flavors meld together.

Nutritional Info
(per 3 oz. serving of steak and 2.5 tbl of sauce)
Calories: 239
Fat: 11.5 g

Churrasco Ingredients

1 (1 1/2 pd) boned sirloin steak (I used Tri-tip)
1 1/2 c cilantro sprigs
1 c white vinegar
3/4 c chopped onion (I used a medium sized red onion)
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp dried oregano (I used dry Italian seasoning)
2 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
6 garlic cloves, chopped (1/4 c)
3 bay leaves
Cooking spray
Juice from 1/2 a lime.

Directions
Trim fat from steak; set aside.

Combine cilantro and next 9 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag.

Add steak to bag, making sure that the steak is evenly coated, and then seal. Marinate in the refrigerator for 3 hours, turning occasionally (I marinated mine during church).

Remove steak from bag and discard marinade.

Prepare grill or broiler with cooking spray. Grill until largest portion of the meat registers 150 degrees or your desired degree of doneness (we like medium).

Let meat stand for 15 minutes and then squeeze the juice of the lime on top.

Cut steak diagonally across the grain into think slices and serve with the Chimichurri Sauce.

Chimichurri Sauce
I made several adaptations to this recipe, so be sure to check out the special notes below.

Ingredients
1/4 c white vinegar*
1 tbl extra-virgin olive oil (or regular olive oil)
1/2 tsp of salt
6 garlic cloves peeled
3 bay leaves
2 jalapeno peppers (I used 1/2 of one jalapeno and reserved the other half)
1 c of minced fresh parsley*
1/4 cup minced fresh oregano*

*Special Note: I was missing these ingredients so I substituted the following:
1/4 c white vinegar = 1/4 c light sour cream, 2 tbl of water
1 c minced fresh parsley & 1/4 c minced fresh oregano = 1 1/4 c fresh cilantro

Directions
Place the ingredients in a blender, process until smooth.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

Raisin Rice & Beans
This colorful rice dish is so good and packs all your fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins into one dish.

Ingredients
1 1/2 c white rice
2 tsp of salt
2 tsp of garlic powder
1/4 c raisins
1 c frozen corn (or canned), steamed
1 c pinto beans, warmed (or black beans)
1/2 c chopped cilantro
Juice from a 1/2 a lime

Directions
Add rice to medium saucepan over medium heat. Add salt, garlic powder, and raisins. Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover for 20 minutes.

After rice is done, pour into a larger bowl. Add corn, pinto beans, and cilantro. Squeeze the juice from the lime and toss well.

Season with additional salt to taste.

Grilled Flat Bread
This is very similar to the recipe my grandma uses for homemade flour tortillas. One day I decided to make one big "tortilla" and grill it with olive oil. Talk about easy and a perfect addition to this meal.

Ingredients
2 c white all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 c of hot water
Olive Oil Spray

Directions
In a medium bowl combine the first three ingredients.

Gradually add the hot water, mixing the dough with your hands as you go. Cease adding the water when the mixture is bound together enough that you can drop it onto a floured surface to knead.

Knead the dough several times and then form it into a large ball. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough until it's about 1/4 " thick (the shape does not matter, though mine usually end up being a large oval).

Spray one side with olive oil spray and lay this face down on the grill. Before turning, spray the other side too.

Remove from the grill after several minutes on each side. Bread should have a golden crust and light grill marks.

Cut into wedges using a pizza cutter.

Mom's Rolls, Chocolate Fudge, & Caramel Corn

This is so awesome. I don't know if mom would like to post her own recipes, but oh well. Here are some that I have that are favorites. Sorry I don't have baked beans. Someone else will have to post that one. -Rachel

Mom’s Rolls
(Clista’s biscuits)

6-8 cups of flour
3 pkgs of yeast
6 tbsp. sugar
3 tsp salt
3 tbsp oil
3 cups hot water

Combine 6 cups of flour plus remaining dry ingredients. Combine the wet ingredients plus remaining flour. Let rise for 30-45 minutes (on the back of stove is best). Shape rolls then let rise again. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Brush warm rolls with butter. Remove from pan and let cool.

Fudge

Combine: 4 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cups butter
1 can of evaporated milk

In large pan bring to rolling boil and cook for 8 ½ minutes stirring. Remove from heat and stir in 18 oz (3cups) packages of chocolate chips and 2 jars of marshmallow crème. Add chopped and toasted walnuts. (Optional). Pour into buttered 13x9 in pan or larger (mom uses larger). let cool and then cut as desired.

Caramel Corn

6 qts popped corn
2 sticks of margarine or butter
2 cups light brown sugar (1 box)
½ cup light corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp baking soda

In large saucepan melt margarine, add sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Let boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and baking soda, stir well. (Baking soda will cause mixture to foam). Pour syrup over popped corn and mix thoroughly. Spread on baking sheet. Bake 1 hour at 250˚. Stir/turn every 15 minutes let cool. Store in an airtight container.