Nicaraguan Style Churrasco Recipes

NICARAGUAN-STYLE STEAK / CHURRASCO

Steps:

• Place the piece of tenderloin lengthwise on the cutting board. Holding the knife parallel to the cutting board, cut the meat into 4 flat, even horizontal strips. Place each strip between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound with the side of a cleaver or with a rolling pin to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Arrange the steaks in a nonreactive baking dish.
• Prepare the chimichurri. Combine the parsley and garlic in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and process to make a thick sauce. Correct the seasoning, adding salt, pepper, or vinegar as necessary; the mixture should be highly seasoned. Place half the chimicurri in a bowl or crock for serving; pour the remainder over the meat. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator, 30 minutes, turning several times.
• Preheat the grill to high.
• When ready to cook, oil the grill grate. Drain the beef and place it on the hot grate. Grill, turning with tongs, until cooked to taste, 1 to 2 minutes per side for medium- rare. Serve with the remaining chimichurri sauce.

NICARAGUAN-STYLE CHURRASCO

Steps:

• To make the chimichurri, combine the garlic, bay leaves, jalapenos, and salt in a mortar and mash with a pestle until a smooth paste is formed (or you can puree with a small amount of vinegar in a blender). Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the parsleys and oregano. Whisk in the vinegar and olive oil until well combined. Set aside.
• Prepare a medium-hot fire in the grill.
• Trim the meat and remove any silverskin. Cut into 2 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Take the boning knife and cut in a circular motion so each round becomes one flat, long strip. Then, with a butcher's mallet, pound the meat lightly. Season each strip generously with salt and pepper on each side.
• Lightly oil the grate and place meat on the grate. Grill for 3 minutes on each side for medium-rare.
• Transfer the meat to a serving plate. Serve with the chimichurri on the side.