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Perfect Romantic Cinco de Mayo Steak and Rice Fiesta

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A quick and easy fiesta dinner featuring smoky grilled flank steak marinated with bold spices, served atop zesty cilantro lime rice. Perfect for romantic dinners or festive occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb flank steak or skirt steak (well-marbled)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup long grain white rice
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
  • Fresh jalapeño slices (optional)
  • Crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese
  • Warm corn or flour tortillas (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Toss the flank steak in the marinade, ensuring it is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours.
  2. Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water or chicken broth to a boil. Add rice and a pinch of salt, stir once, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  3. Remove rice from heat and let steam with lid on for 5 minutes. Stir in chopped cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, and butter or olive oil. Fluff with a fork and adjust salt as needed.
  4. Heat grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Remove steak from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill steak about 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare, adjusting time for thickness and doneness. Let steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
  5. Serve sliced steak atop cilantro lime rice. Garnish with avocado slices, jalapeño (if using), and crumbled queso fresco. Offer warm tortillas on the side.

Notes

Marinate steak at least 15 minutes for best flavor. Rinse rice to remove excess starch for fluffier texture. Let steak rest before slicing to keep it tender. Adjust chili powder and jalapeño for desired spice level. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and omit cheese garnish. Can broil steak if no grill available.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cinco de Mayo, steak, cilantro lime rice, fiesta dinner, romantic dinner, easy recipe, grilled steak, Mexican cuisine

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/perfect-romantic-cinco-de-mayo-steak-and-rice-fiesta-recipe-for-easy-fiesta-dinner-ideas/