Latin Grilled Rib Eye Steak with Green Chile Aioli

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The secret to creating a terrific crust on a well-marbled cut of beef: rubbing on a salty-sweet spice mix and letting the meat air dry before grilling. Plus:  F&W's Ultimate Grilling Guide 

Latin Grilled Rib Eye Steak with Green Chile Aioli
Photo: © John Kernick
Active Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Yield:
2
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Ingredients

adobo rub

  • 2 tablespoons allspice berries

  • 2 tablespoons black peppercorns

  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds

  • One 1 1/2-inch cinnamon stick, broken

  • 7 whole cloves

  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika

  • 1 tablespoon chipotle powder

  • 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder

  • 1/4 cup kosher salt

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • One 1 1/4-pound, bone-in rib eye steak, about 1 1/2 inches thick

green chile aioli

  • 4 large unpeeled garlic cloves

  • 1 large poblano

  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1 serrano or jalapeño, chopped

  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 1 cup cilantro leaves

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil, plus more for grilling

  • Salt

Directions

make the rub

  1. In a small skillet, toast the allspice, peppercorns, cumin seeds, cinnamon and cloves over moderately high heat until fragrant. Transfer to a spice grinder and let cool completely. Grind to a powder and transfer to a small bowl. Stir in the paprika, chipotle and ancho powders, salt and sugar. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the adobo rub all over the rib eye and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

meanwhile, make the aioli

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Wrap the garlic in foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until soft.

  2. Over an open flame or under a preheated broiler, roast the poblano until charred all over; let cool. Peel, seed and stem the poblano and coarsely chop it. Transfer to a blender. Squeeze the soft garlic cloves from their skins into the blender. Add the lime juice, egg yolk, serrano, cumin and cilantro and puree. With the machine on, slowly pour in the 1/2 cup of oil until emulsified. Season with salt.

  3. Light a grill. Oil the grate. Grill the steak over moderately high heat for 6 minutes per side, until charred outside and medium-rare within. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve with the aioli.

Notes

Any leftover adobo rub can be stored at room temperature for up to a month.

Suggested Pairing

Lush, dark Merlot from Washington state is perfect with charred meats like this rib eye.

Originally appeared: June 2012

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