Cooking in hostels is always a challenge. Cooking something healthy and delicious is even more of a challenge… one might even call it an experiment. You have to deal with limited utensils, stoves that either burn too hot or not at all, lack of spices and oil and other people using all of the same equipment at the same time. So no, it isn’t a walk in the park. Yet, when you cook up a delicious meal it is always worth it.
During my stay at Amigo’s on the island of Cozumel, I had plenty of time to try out some different combinations. My main aim though was to make sure I didn’t waste food… as that wastes money. Everything that I cooked up could be eaten as leftovers, or easily transformed into something else… like fajitas!
This Mexican steak with veg salsa dish was one of my favourite meals, but it isn’t very pretty to look at. All of the ingredients were fresh and ridiculously tasty. I eat by the philosophy that a dish is only as good as its ingredients. Sadly most supermarkets do not offer the best, try to find a market while you are travelling as you can get better and cheaper produce – not to mention, they are LOADS of fun.
I easily transformed this dish into Fajita’s the next night by slicing the steak into small pieces and adding avocado. Nearly everywhere in Mexico you can find freshly made tortilla’s that are a lot tastier than those you get at the supermarket, ask at your hostel where they recommend buying tortilla’s – it may be the small street food cart on the corner.
Mexican Steak with Veg Salsa
Ingredients:
- Steak – whatever variety that you prefer
- Salt and pepper
- 1 small brown onion
- 1 large chilli
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 capsicum
- 1 and a 1/2 limes
- Bunch of coriander
Instructions:
- Rub your steak with a generous helping of salt and pepper
- Chop all of your vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- Brown your onions and chilli – make sure not to inhale the steam
- Add in the tomatoes, coriander and capsicum. If sticking adds in a little water. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a sperate pan gently fry your steak – cook, until as desired… I like mine medium-rare.
- Squeeze in the juice of the limes to the veg salsa just before serving
Cost:
100 Pesos ($8 AUD) and serves 3-6 meals depending on if you use the leftovers for fajita’s
Equipment:
- 2 saucepans or frying pans
- Knife