Crock-Pot Flank Steak

The temperature is quickly rising as we brace for 100 degree temperatures. I shouldn't be complaining considering what the rest of the country is going through. But I am worried that the first month of teaching will be scorching, which is no good for anyone involved. Today, in an effort to keep the house cool, I decided to give our little camp stove a break and go back to what I know best: the crock pot.  We had a bad experience grilling a flank steak a couple of weeks ago (wrong seasoning and the butcher over-tenderized).  So, on advice from my mom, I decided to try it in the crock pot.  I decided to try it "carne asada style" as I have been having good luck with Mexican food lately.  And we also have about 12 bags of chips in the house right now needing an excuse to be eaten.

We bought a .75 lb flank steak yesterday, but it would probably have been easier to make with a 1-1.5 lb steak as we had a lot of left over sauce and seasoning.  To make the seasoning for the steak, you need:

• 1 tablespoon  chile powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 jar of your favorite salsa (chopped tomatoes and onions work too if you add water or beef broth to the pot)
• Juice from 1 lime
• 3 garlic cloves minced

In a bowl, whisk together the chile powder, cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.  Make sure all of the ingredients are mixed well so you don't have overwhelming flavors of one.

Coat each side of the steak thoroughly with the seasoning mix and then place the steak in the crock pot:

Add in the salsa, lime, and garlic to the crock pot.  You may want to add a little bit of water to prevent burning.  Cook the steak on low and check after 6 hours.  It may take up to 8 to cook, depending on your crock pot, but mine was done in about 6.5.  This steak recipe works great for tacos, nachos, and even as a salad topping, which is how we ate it tonight.

This may be one I add to Allergy Free Wednesday...

Any favorite hot weather recipes?  Add them in the comments section!