Steak Tacos With Spicy Yogurt

Melissa is home from Chicago but I see no reason to end taco week early. Tonight we're doing steak tacos with spicy yogurt. It's almost like a Greek taco. A spicy yogurt sauce takes the place of your usual salsa and the good news if there's any sauce left over it makes a killer dip.

What You'll Need (food):
Tacos and Filling
1/2 Pound flank steak, cut into bit sized pieces
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon finely chopped cilantro (about 10-12stalks, without stems)
2/3 Cup finely chopped cilantro (separate from cilantro above, 2/3 = about half a bunch, without stems)
1/2 An onion, finely diced
1/2 Tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 Teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 Cup pepper jack cheese
6 Hard corn taco shells*

The Sauce
2/3 Cup plain yogurt (this is about one standard sized yogurt cup).
1/4 Cup Light Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (again, separate from cilantro above)
1/2 Lime, juiced
1/2 Tablespoon fresh dill weed
1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt to taste 

*Unfortunately, hard taco shells are usually sold in 12 packs or bigger. For two people, that can mean a lot of taco shells going in the trash. Once you open the taco shell package, put unused shells in a sealed Tupperware or similar container or re-wrap the unused shells in a few layers of plastic wrap and put them back in the box. They'll keep a little longer that way. Of course the easy fix is just to plan to have tacos with hard shells twice in a week and it's no worries.  

What You'll Need (Cooking)
Large skillet
Cheese grader (or pre-shredded cheese)
3 Bowls
Juicer (or a strong fist)

Steak, Sauce and Toppings

Prep (about 30 minutes).

1. First, lets get the steak ready to go. Drop the steak pieces in a bowl and add the olive oil, 1 tablespoon of cilantro, and the cumin, cayenne pepper and oregano. Mix until steak is evenly coated in cilantro and spice mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic warp and place in fridge for 20-30 minutes. While the cow marinades for a bit, we'll work on the sauce.

2. In a new bowl, add the yogurt and mayo. Mix in cayenne pepper, dill, 1 tablespoon of cilantro, lime juice and salt. Stir with a whisk or spoon until well mixed and smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill for 20 minutes. 

3. In a third bowl, mix together 2/3 cup cilantro and chopped onion. 

Let's Cook! (About 10 minutes)

1. In a large skillet, cook steak over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and allow to cool for a few minutes. Add steak to taco shells.

Assembly, Stage 1

2. Add cilantro and onion mixture to taco, shredded cheese, and pour on a little sauce.

Steak Taco with Spicy Yogurt, Ready to Eat!

We usually end up with a quarter cup of sauce left over and that's cool. Use it as a dip for french fries or tortilla chips. Also goes great with fresh green beans or other veggies like carrots and cucumbers.