Marinade (Southwest)

This is a wonderful chicana-style marinade that adds great southwestern flavour to steaks, stew meat, brisket, flank steaks or beef ribs. Coat the meat with the marinade and refrigerate it for at least a couple hours - overnight is fine.

¾ cup soy sauce
2 clove garlic, minced or pressed
2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar (light brown sugar may be used)
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 Tbsp. chili powder (use good stuff!)
1 Tbsp. ground cumin (freshly ground if possible - it does mnake a difference!)
½ tsp. ground cayenne pepper
2/3 cup vegetable oil

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin and ground cayenne. While whisking vigorously, drizzle in the oil.

Store and marinate in the refrigerator.

Makes plenty to marinate 4 or 6 steaks, 3 or 4 pounds of stew-cut beef, or a good sized brisket.