Lime Chipotle Beef With Rice and Black Beans

A friend recently asked me where inspiration for recipes come from.  The answer is truly - all over.  The unlikely source for this was a billboard I saw in Boston for a Mexican restaurant, describing "Avoca-do's and Avoca-don'ts".  The backdrop was a good looking dish of grilled beef on top of rice and beans.  All adorned with a beautiful guacamole.  I'll have to try their version one day.
Steak Marinade:
juice of 1 lime
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin powder, or crushed seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium jalapeño pepper, minced
1 tsp Chipotle pepper seasoning

3/4 lb flank or other favorite steak, at least 1/2-inch thick
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 fresh ripe tomato, cubed
1 cup favorite guacamole
mint leaves
1 lime, cut into wedges

Whisk together the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl.

Transfer to a zip lock bag and place steak in bag. Seal, and allow steak to marinate at least an hour, or otherwise overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, bring steak to room temperature if refrigerated.

Preheat BBQ grill to high.

Toss the rice in a medium pot with a dash of canola oil. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes and add the water and salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stir, and reduce heat to the lowest simmer. Cover and cook 15-20 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Fluff rice with a fork and fold gently together with the beans. Keep warm.

Drain steak and grill over high heat, about 2-3 minutes per side, until cooked to your liking I like medium rare. Cube steak.

Now plate dish by placing about a cup or so of beans and rice on each of four plates (you will probably have leftover rice and beans for another use). Divide the tomato cubes about the plates, sprinkling over rice mixture. Scatter steak cubes over rice and top with guacamole. Garnish with mint if you have it, and serve with lime wedges.

Serves 4.

Cook’s Note: I use a coffee grinder to powder my cumin and fennel seeds.