Recipes Steak, Chicken, and Vegetable Tacos Be the first to rate & review! Sue Torres takes her tacos seriously — the taqueria inside Los Dados employs an abuelita ("grandma") who hand-presses the tortillas — but she wants her guests to enjoy eating them. "I like offering lots of options, so everyone can play with different flavor combinations," she says. The sweet Coca-Cola–and–tamarind marinade Torres uses to tenderize and flavor skirt steaks was a discovery she made while traveling through Oaxaca, where locals would offer her Coke for breakfast. The homemade salsa verde and pico de gallo can be made beforehand and stored in the refrigerator. By Sue Torres Updated on September 29, 2022 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: © Earl Carter Active Time: 1 hrs Marinate Time: 8 hrs Total Time: 10 hrs Yield: 36 tacos Ingredients Steak 2 ounces pressed tamarind from a pound block, cut into 3/4-inch pieces 3/4 cup hot water 4 unpeeled garlic cloves 3 scallions, chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons thyme leaves 1 tablespoon pure ancho chile powder 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 cup Coca-Cola Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak, cut into 4-inch lengths Vegetables and Chicken 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 serrano chile, thinly sliced 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise 2 chayote, peeled, halved lengthwise, pitted, and thinly sliced crosswise 2 large carrots, thinly sliced on a sharp angle 1 fennel bulb, trimmed, cored, and thinly sliced Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, butterflied Pico de Gallo 4 large plum tomatoes, seeded and finely diced 1/2 medium white onion, finely diced 1 serrano chile, finely diced 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro Pinch of kosher salt For Serving 36 corn tortillas, warmed Salsa Verde, Pico de Gallo, cilantro sprigs, and sour cream Directions Make the Steak In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the tamarind and water and microwave on high power for 2 minutes. Cover and let stand until the tamarind is softened, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat a small skillet. Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until the cloves are blackened in spots, about 8 minutes. Peel the garlic. Mash the tamarind to a pulp. Strain the puree through a fine sieve into a blender. Discard the seeds and fibers. Add the roasted garlic and the scallions, thyme, chile powder, and olive oil to the blender and puree until smooth. With the machine on, add the Coca-Cola in a thin stream until blended. Season generously with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish. Add the steak and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Make the Pico de Gallo Toss all of the ingredients together in a large bowl and let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour. Grill the Steak Scrape most of the marinade off the steaks. Grill the steaks over high heat, turning occasionally, until charred in spots, about 10 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes, then thinly slice across the grain. Make the Vegetables and Chicken Preheat a grill pan. In a large bowl, combine the oil, garlic, and serrano chile. Add the sliced vegetables and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper and toss to coat. Grill the vegetables over high heat, turning occasionally, until tender and lightly charred, about 8 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a cutting board and coarsely chop them. Brush the chicken with some of the remaining oil from the vegetable bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill the chicken over high heat, turning once until cooked through and lightly charred, about 8 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes, then cut into thin strips. Serve the Tacos Mound the steak, chicken, and vegetables in 3 bowls and serve with the tortillas, Salsa Verde, Pico de Gallo, cilantro, and sour cream. Make Ahead The Pico de Gallo can be refrigerated overnight. Rate it Print