Carne Asada con Rajas

For the Carne Asada

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 4-5 cloves garlic, peeled
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar or Mexican brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin, plus more for sprinkling on the steak before you grill it
• 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
• 2 tablespoons cilantro
• 1 1/2 - 2 pound flank steak
• Mesquite charcoal or chips

For the Rajas

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large onions, peeled, halved, and cut into 1/4 - inch thick slices
• 8 medium poblano peppers, roasted, peeled,stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch thick strips (note: polanos are relatively mild. If you would like a little more heat, leave some seeds)
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
• 1/2 cup crema Mexicana or heavy cream
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• cotija cheese for garnishing
• chopped cilantro for garnishing
• lime wedges for serving

1. MARINATE THE STEAK THE NIGHT BEFORE: In a blender, combine olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, and seasonings. Blend until everything is combined. Place the flank steak as flat as possible in a gallon-size freezer bag and pour the marinade into the bag. Seal the bag and place in refrigerator for 1-12 hours.
2. PREP THE GRILL AND THE STEAK: Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Discard the marinade. Season meat with a sprinkle of cumin and a generous amount of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Let sit at room temperature while you prepare a hot fire. Use mesquite chips for their great flavor. **AT THIS POINT, SKIP DOWN TO STEP 4 AND MAKE THE RAJAS. KEEP THEM WARM WHILE YOU GRILL THE STEAK. When the coals are coated with grey ash and you cannot keep your hand above the grate for more than a minute, you have a hot fire that is ready for the steak. Place the steak directly over the hot coals. Grill each side until it is charred but the center is rare to barely medium rare. Start with 1-3 minutes per side. Cooking time will depending on your fire and the thickness of the steak. If 3 minutes doesn't get it, move the steak to the cool side of the grill and check every minute. Don't overcook and remember that the meat will continue to cook while it rests.
3. LET STEAK REST AND THEN SLICE: When the steak is done, remove it from the grill and let it rest 5-10 minutes. This gives the juices inside time to be reabsorbed. Also, the steak will continue to cook. Slice steak across the grain into 1/4 - 1/2-inch slices. Cover to keep warm while you make the rajas.
4. SAUTE PEPPERS AND ONIONS: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over MEDIUM heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions and cook until they are beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add the poblanos and garlic. Cook until peppers are tender/crisp, 3 - 4 minutes more. Add the oregano and crema. Stir to combine. Cook the rajas over LOW heat until the crema has reduced just a bit so that the onions and peppers are coated but not drowning in it. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5. SERVE: Spoon a generous amount of rajas onto each plate. Place some refried black beans alongside. Place 2-3 slices of carne asada on top of the rajas. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and then garnish with fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime.