Peruvian Beef Kebabs (Anticuchos)
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 tablespoon cumin seed (or ground cumin)
- 3 tablespoons hot Hungarian paprika (or 1/4 cup aji panca paste, preferred, or 2 canned chipotle peppers plus 1 tablespoon of the liquid)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons annatto oil
- coarse salt
- pepper
- 1 12 lbs beef heart, cut into strips 3-inchx1 1/2-inchx1/4-inch
- 2 tablespoons annatto oil, for basting
- Heat a dry cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
- Place garlic in skillet and brown lightly on all sides, 6-8 minutes.
- Remove and let cool.
- Add cumin seeds to skillet and toast until fragrant and lightly browned, 2-4 minutes.
- (If using ground cumin, toast 1-2 minutes.
- ).
- Remove and let cool.
- If using cumin seeds, grind to a fine powder in a mill or using a mortar and pestle.
- Place garlic, cumin and aji panca paste (or paprika or chipotles) in a food processor and puree to a fine paste.
- Gradually add vinegar and enough annatto oil to make a thick paste.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Weave meat onto bamboo skewers, 3 pieces per skewer.
- Arrange in a nonreactive baking dish and spread seasoning paste over meat, thickly coating both sides.
- Cover and refrigerate for 6-12 hours, turning occasionally.
- Preheat grill to high.
- Brush and oil grill grate.
- Drain kebabs and discard marinade.
- Grill until golden brown and cooked through, 3-4 minutes per side (medium-well to well-done is preferred), basting with oil after first 3 minutes.
- Serve hot.
- NOTE #1--To make annatto oil, heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a saucepan over moderate heat.
- Stir in 1/4 cup annatto (achiote) seeds.
- Stir for 30 seconds.
- Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, cool, and strain.
- This will keep several months if tightly covered and refrigerated, but it will lose flavor as it ages.
- You may also use purchased annatto oil, or substitute olive oil.
- NOTE #2--the coward's way out.
- If you absolutely cannot find beef heart, or you cringe at the thought of eating it, beef rib eye or sirloin may be substituted.
- It should be prepared the same way, but marinated for only 2-4 hours.
garlic, cumin, paprika, red wine vinegar, annatto oil, salt, pepper, beef heart, annatto oil
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/peruvian-beef-kebabs-anticuchos-469532 (may not work)