Steak Tacos & Mole Verde with Radishes & Avocado

Step 1

1 Prepare the ingredients: Wash and dry the fresh produce. Remove and discard the papery husks of the tomatillos; medium dice the tomatillos. Finely chop the cilantro leaves and stems. Trim off and discard the ends of the radishes; very thinly slice the radishes into rounds. Quarter the lime. Pit, peel and thinly slice the avocado; top with the juice of 1 lime wedge to prevent browning.

Step 2

2 Toast & chop the pepitas: In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the pepitas and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; immediately season with salt. When cool enough to handle, transfer to a cutting board and finely chop. Wipe out the pan.

Step 3

3 Cook the steak: Pat the steak dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper and half the spice blend. In the pan used to toast the pepitas, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned steak and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until browned and cooked to your desired degree of doneness. Transfer to a plate, leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan. Top the cooked steak with the juice of 1 lime wedge; loosely cover with aluminum foil and set aside to rest for at least 5 minutes.

Step 4

4 Make the mole verde: While the steak rests, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pan of reserved fond; heat on medium-high until hot. Add the tomatillos and remaining spice blend; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add ½ cup of water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes, or until thickened and saucy. Transfer to a medium bowl. Using a fork, mash the cooked tomatillos to your desired consistency. Stir in the chopped pepitas, ¾ of the cilantro and the juice of the remaining lime wedges; season with salt and pepper to taste. Rinse and dry the pan.

Step 5

5 Warm the tortillas: Heat the pan used to cook the tomatillos on medium until hot. Working in batches, add the tortillas and warm 30 seconds to 1 minute per side, or until soft and pliable. Divide between 2 plates.

Step 6

6 Finish & plate your dish: Transfer the rested steak to a cutting board. Find the lines of muscle (or grain) of the steak; thinly slice crosswise against the grain. Stir any juices from the cutting board into the bowl of mole verde. Divide the sliced steak, mole verde and avocado between the warmed tortillas. Garnish with the radishes and remaining cilantro. Enjoy!

Step 7

1 Prepare the ingredients: Wash and dry the fresh produce. Remove and discard the papery husks of the tomatillos; medium dice the tomatillos. Finely chop the cilantro leaves and stems. Trim off and discard the ends of the radishes; very thinly slice the radishes into rounds. Quarter the lime. Pit, peel and thinly slice the avocado; top with the juice of 1 lime wedge to prevent browning.

Step 8

2 Toast & chop the pepitas: In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the pepitas and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; immediately season with salt. When cool enough to handle, transfer to a cutting board and finely chop. Wipe out the pan.

Step 9

3 Cook the steak: Pat the steak dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper and half the spice blend. In the pan used to toast the pepitas, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned steak and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until browned and cooked to your desired degree of doneness. Transfer to a plate, leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan. Top the cooked steak with the juice of 1 lime wedge; loosely cover with aluminum foil and set aside to rest for at least 5 minutes.

Step 10

4 Make the mole verde: While the steak rests, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pan of reserved fond; heat on medium-high until hot. Add the tomatillos and remaining spice blend; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add ½ cup of water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes, or until thickened and saucy. Transfer to a medium bowl. Using a fork, mash the cooked tomatillos to your desired consistency. Stir in the chopped pepitas, ¾ of the cilantro and the juice of the remaining lime wedges; season with salt and pepper to taste. Rinse and dry the pan.

Step 11

5 Warm the tortillas: Heat the pan used to cook the tomatillos on medium until hot. Working in batches, add the tortillas and warm 30 seconds to 1 minute per side, or until soft and pliable. Divide between 2 plates.

Step 12

6 Finish & plate your dish: Transfer the rested steak to a cutting board. Find the lines of muscle (or grain) of the steak; thinly slice crosswise against the grain. Stir any juices from the cutting board into the bowl of mole verde. Divide the sliced steak, mole verde and avocado between the warmed tortillas. Garnish with the radishes and remaining cilantro. Enjoy!