Two things occurred to me the other day, 1) I haven't made my grilled fajitas in ages, and 2) they've never made it to the blog.
This friends, is one of my long time favorite meals.
Back in the day I'd use disposable foil pans, but I didn't feel like buying one so I just used my old baking pan. It's just a regular old 9x13 with high sides (however that is called in a technical fashion).
To start off just slice up two bell peppers, an onion or two ( I used red and yellow because I had leftovers of both), 4 chicken breasts, and one cactus leaf, and a minced clove of garlic. Toss it all in a baking sheet and sprinkle with a package of fajita seasoning. Drizzle with olive oil and 1/4 cup of water. Squeeze in a lime and toss it on a grill at medium high heat.
I like to let it cook down with the lid closed until the chicken is done before adding in my next ingredients.
While I was doing that though I noticed Ellie was up to no good.
Smarty pants had wedged herself between the fence and a board we were using to keep her from escaping and tried to play it off when I caught her. This dog's M.O. is escaping. She will come back, but ever since she was a puppy she would get out just to explore.
If she thinks there is something to explore, and she gets in that mood, we are done for.
For instance, Friday morning I asked Jeremy to let the dogs in as we were rushing out to work and neither of them were in the yard.
Turns out Ellie has found a way out and convinced Rudy to join in (he usually doesn't) and they headed down the street to bother the morning walkers. I only knew this much because a morning outside coffee drinker alerted me to their doings.
However, as soon as they heard us yelling they came running back. They totally passed us up, and sat at the front door like two kids who saw the street lights come on and knew they should be home.
I swear on my life I've never had a hotter mess in a dog than a dachshund.
When we lived in Thibodaux Ellie would get out, if she didn't want to be out, and come to the front door and scratch at it to get in. It sounded more like knocking, so the first time it caught me off guard. By the third time it was me simply saying, "Well Jeremy I guess Ellie wants in."
Back to the fajitas, once the chicken has cooked through I toss in a large tomato cut into big chunks, squeeze on another lime, stir it up good, and let it go until everything starts to get those pretty char-grilled edges.
I've heard Dr. Oz say a zillion time that the char on grilled food isn't good for you, but I honestly don't care. It tastes good.
When it's done I serve it up on whole wheat tortillas with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt and shredded Fiesta blend cheese.
It's also great with added lime and avocado.
Grilled Chicken Fajitas with Cactus ::
Serves 4-6
Ingredients::
4 chicken breasts, sliced
2 bell peppers, sliced
1 large cactus leaf, peeled and sliced
1 yellow onion, sliced
1/2 red onion
1 clove of garlic, minced
1.12 oz packet fajita seasoning mix
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil
2 limes
Directions::
Preheat grill to med-high heat. In a 9x13 baking pan, or disposable pan, toss in sliced bell peppers, chicken, onion, garlic, cactus, fajita seasoning, water, olive oil, and the juice of one lime. When the chicken is cooked through add in the sliced tomato and juice of the remaining lime. Cooking until onions are translucent and everything is beginning to get nice char-grilled edges.
Serve on warmed whole wheat tortillas.
Optional toppings:: avocado, lime juice, cilantro, sour cream, cheese
