Short plate at 95 degrees: Skirt tacos

Look for a cross-section where fat and lean stack in clear layers rather than one thick fat seam. Outside skirt and short rib plate are different muscles — confirm before paying ribeye prices. The muscle between the ribs, built in thin alternating layers of fat and lean. On a grill it throws off more aroma than any other cut, because the fat drips into the fire and comes back up as smoke.

Colour, sinew, where the fat sits, and thickness are what you check before you pay. Ask for the thickness that matches “Skirt tacos.” Use 95 degrees and 95 when you cook. Salt after you know the job. Do not play with undercooked meat. Cook Short plate to 95 degrees and serve it as “Skirt tacos.” The other figure to watch is 95. Do not time a hard-working muscle like a thin steak. Colour before heat is not doneness. Fatty enough that it wants fierce heat and a short time. The flame doing the seasoning is the point of this cut.

Cook Short plate to 95 degrees and serve it as “Skirt tacos.” The other figure to watch is 95. Do not time a hard-working muscle like a thin steak. Colour before heat is not doneness. Fatty enough that it wants fierce heat and a short time. The flame doing the seasoning is the point of this cut.