Hot and Sour Beef

Makes 6 Servings

This dish will make you want to get out your saddle and throw it across the steering wheel of a Bronco, and head out to the cactus and tumbleweed. It has a great sour taste and it's hot enough to light a campfire with, so put your spurs on and enjoy!

Seasoning Mix
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons grated lime peel
1-1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1-1/2 teaspoons ground dried ancho
chile peppers
1-1/2 teaspoons ground dried chipotle
chile peppers
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon ground dried guajillo chile peppers
2 pounds flank steak, scalloped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1-1/2 cups chopped onions
Juice of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lime
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 cups beef stock, in all
1/2 cup lightly packed whole fresh cilantro leaves

Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle the scalloped meat evenly with 3 tablespoons of the seasoning mix and rub it in well.

Heat the oil in a heavy 5-quart pot over high heat just until the oil begins to smoke, about 4 minutes. Add the steak and cook, stirring frequently, for 7 minutes. Add the onions and cook,stirring frequently for 4 minutes,then add the lemon juice,lime juice, flour, garlic, vinegar, and remaining seasoning mix. Scrape the bottom of the pot well and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add 1 cup of the stock, scrape up the brown bits, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Add the remaining stock and scrape the bottpm of the pot to loosen all the brown bits. Add the cilantro, cover, and reduce the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Serve hot, with plenty of sauce, to the toughest hombres you know.