Pepito Recipes

PEPITOS (MEXICAN STEAK SANDWICHES WITH CHIPOTLE CREMA)

Steps:

• Stir together the lime juice, 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, 2 of the grated garlic cloves and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl until completely combined. Add the steak, toss to coat and let sit until ready to cook. (Steaks can be marinated for up to 6 hours in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap.)
• Stir together the crema, chipotle (1 for mild, 2 for medium, 3 for spicy), adobo and remaining 1 grated garlic clove in a small bowl until completely combined. Let sit until ready to assemble.
• Heat a large skillet, preferably cast-iron, over high heat until very hot, about 2 minutes. Cook the scallions until charred on both sides, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside until ready to serve.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the hot skillet and cook the steaks (they will soak up all of the marinade so no need to drain), until charred on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium rare. Let rest 10 minutes. Slice against the grain into thin strips.
• Spread a generous amount of the chipotle crema on the split sides of each bolillo and divide the steak among the 4 bottom bolillos. Top with the sliced avocado, jalapeños and cilantro. Top with the tomatoes and season with salt. Close the sandwiches and serve with the charred scallions.

MARINATED GRILLED CHICKEN PEPITOS

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a 13-by-9-inch glass dish. Heavily sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Toss the chicken with the thyme and oregano, making sure everything is evenly incorporated. Pour the orange juice all over the chicken. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.
• Heat the vegetable oil on a heavy grill pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add the chicken. Cook about 5 minutes on one side and flip over, using tongs. Cook on the other side until perfectly browned and the chicken is cooked through, another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the heat and reserve, covered.
• In a medium mixing bowl, mix the mayonnaise, chipotle and garlic until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Season with salt. Reserve.
• Spread 1 tablespoon of the mayonnaise mixture on the inside of a bolillo roll. Slightly toast the bolillo roll on the grill pan on medium-high heat, about 1 minute per side. Place a chicken breast on the inside of the roll. Add the avocado slices and top with lettuce. Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and red wine vinegar. Close the sandwich and serve immediately.

CHICKEN WITH PEPITA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pepitas and toast, stirring occasionally, until they begin to pop, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer 2 tablespoons pepitas to a small bowl and add the rest to a blender. Add the cumin seeds to the same skillet and toast until dark brown, about 1 minute. Add to the blender; reserve the skillet. Add the salsa verde, 1/2 cup cilantro, the allspice and 1/2 cup water to the blender. Blend until smooth, adding up to 2 tablespoons more water if needed.
• Pour the puree into the reserved skillet; stir in the chicken and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes; thin with up to 1/4 cup water if needed. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toss the bell pepper, radishes, lime juice and remaining 1/2 cup cilantro in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Warm the tortillas in a large dry skillet.
• Divide the tortillas, bell pepper salad and chicken among plates. Sprinkle with the reserved pepitas; serve with lime wedges.

PEPITA PESTO

Steps:

• Combine parsley, pepitas, basil, lemon juice, water, and garlic salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until blended into a coarse meal. Pour olive oil in slowly and pulse a few times until pesto has come together.

PEPITO SANDWICH RECIPE - (5/5)

Steps:

• 1. Cut the beef into 1 inch pieces and seasoned with salt and pepper. 2. Heat a heavy skillet with 1-2 tablespoons of oil, and sauté the beef over high heat until just browned. Add the garlic, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes more, or until desired doneness. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 3. Split sandwich rolls lengthwise. Place shredded lettuce and tomato in rolls. Divide beef among the four rolls, placing it on top of the lettuce. Drizzle with Avocado Sauce and any other desired sauce, and top with potato sticks.

PEPITA SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat a heavy skillet, such as cast iron, over medium-low. Add pepitas, and shake skillet gently to move seeds around so they toast evenly and do not burn. Toast seeds until they are aromatic and barely take on color. Allow them to cool slightly. Pulse seeds in a food processor just until finely chopped.
• Beat butter and confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and chopped pepitas, and beat until well combined. Reduce speed to low, and gradually mix in flour, scraping down side of bowl as necessary. Divide dough into 2 disks, and wrap in plastic. Chill 90 minutes or up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. On a lightly floured work surface, roll 1 disk of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and chill 1 hour. Repeat with remaining disk. Using a 2-inch almond-shaped cookie cutter, cut out shapes. Reroll scraps of dough, and cut more shapes. Transfer shapes to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart, and chill 15 minutes.
• Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until golden brown around edges, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Dust lightly with confectioners' sugar. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. Dust again with confectioners sugar before serving, if desired.