Happily Bitter Sweet: Fajita Night!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Fajita Night!

If you read my recipe for the Refried Black Beans, http://happilybittersweet.blogspot.com/2014/09/refried-black-beans.html, you know how our family feels about fajita night! It is such a fun night, with an extra special meal that my husband and I can create together, and even more special as an entertaining meal! The beans are my absolute favorite part, an extra comforting and healthy component that completes the whole night! However, the other parts of the meal are the real stars! Seared meat, seared peppers and onions, guacamole, and Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream? It's sinfully delicious, without any of the guilt!

We start with the meat marinade. I like to make it in my mini blender cups, you know the brand! You can also use an immersion blender, food processor, or full sized blender. The ingredients are:

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

zest and juice of one lime, I just use a veggie peeler for the zest

2 smashed garlic cloves

stems of one bunch of cilantro

1 Tablespoon cumin

1 Tablespoon spicy chili powder

I usually use 1 pound of flank steak, and 1 1/2 pounds of chicken breast, cut into cutlets.

Toss the meat into separate zip top bags, in a large bag to prevent spillage, and pop into the fridge for about 2 hours.

When your official grill master, Mine is my lovely husband, grills the meats, start the peppers. I use one whole green pepper, one red pepper, and one yellow pepper, and one whole sweet onion. Start with a high heated pan, and one Tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in the peppers, and let sear for 5 minutes before turning. Continue turning every 5 minutes, until the peppers are charred, and just starting to soften.

Add 1/2 cup of liquid, I prefer beer, and turn the heat off. Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen the black on the bottom, called Fond.

Now, for the fun part... building your tacos! Cut the meats thin, and against the grain for the most tender bites. Cut strips of Quesadilla cheese thin and in strips, have plenty of Fat free Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, guacamole, salsa, limes, and cilantro!