Mexican Style Beef Filet Tips

Puntas de Filete a la Mexicana (which is the name of this dish in Spanish) is another of those typical Mexican Recipes that remind me of home and that now are taking a whole new meaning in my kitchen. I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of beef (more of a chicken kind of person I'm afraid) but this is one of the few ways I do eat meat, it is quite simple to make and you have the option to use it as a tortilla filling or a main dish served with rice and beans. 

Of course, the amount of peppers can be adapted or left out for kids.

Ingredients:

• 1kg of beef filet tips cut into strips
• 4 large tomatoes diced
• 1/2 medium size onion, chopped
• 4 serrano peppers (or pickled chipotle peppers) finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic peeled and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
• Salt to taste
• 2 Tablespoons Vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Using a molcajete or mortar, grind the black peppercorns and cumin. Add the garlic and crush to form a paste.
2. Add the spices paste to the beef tips and mix. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
3. In a large skillet or pan heat the oil at medium high heat.
4. Add the onion and cook for about 3 minutes and add the beef tips and garlic. Keep cooking until beef is browned.
5. Add the serrano peppers and keep cooking for 2 more minutes.
6. Now add the tomatoes and season with salt. Cook for about 12 more minutes until sauce thickens and meat is tender.
7. You can accompany this dish with Mexican rice, beans and tortillas.

Tip: You can also used ground pepper and cumin but for me, the idea of using a mortar is just what makes it typical and original :)