Mexican Strip Steaks & Jalapeño-Cilantro Sauce

Remove the honey from the refrigerator to bring to room temperature. Place an oven rack in the center of the oven; preheat to 450°F. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Halve and peel the onion; cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide wedges, keeping the  layers intact. Cut out and discard the core of the cauliflower; cut into small florets. Pick the mint leaves off the stems. Quarter the lime. Cut off and discard the stems of the shishito peppers; cut into 1-inch pieces. Place in a bowl; drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roughly chop the jalapeño pepper. Thoroughly wash your hands, knife, and cutting board immediately after handling the peppers. In a bowl, combine the cilantro sauce, the juice of 1 lime wedge, and as much of the chopped jalapeño pepper as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. In a separate, large bowl, whisk together the honey (kneading the packet before opening), the juice of 2 lime wedges (you will have 1 extra lime wedge), and as much of the chile paste as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream and 1 teaspoon  of olive oil; season with salt and pepper.

Place the onion wedges and cauliflower florets on a sheet pan; drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat; arrange in an even layer on one side of the pan. Roast 10 minutes. Leaving the oven on, remove from the oven. Carefully add the seasoned shishito pepper pieces to the other side of the sheet pan. Return to the oven and roast 9 to 11 minutes, or until browned and tender when pierced with a fork. Transfer to the large bowl of chile-lime sauce; stir to coat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

Meanwhile, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the pepitas; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 3 minutes, or until toasted (be careful, as the pepitas may pop as they toast). Transfer to a bowl and immediately season with salt. Wipe out the pan. 

Pat the steaks dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the spice blend to coat (you may have extra). In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned steaks. Cook 5 to 7 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until browned and cooked to your desired degree of doneness.* Transfer to a cutting board; let rest at least 5 minutes.

*An instant-read thermometer should register 145°F.

Find the lines of muscle (or grain) on the rested steaks; slice crosswise against the grain. Divide the seasoned sour cream between two dishes; spread into an even layer on one side of each dish. Top with the dressed vegetables. Serve the sliced steaks with the finished vegetables. Top the steaks with the jalapeño-cilantro sauce. Garnish the vegetables with the toasted pepitas and mint leaves (tearing just before adding). Enjoy!