Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Fun and Festive Fajitas

Pineapple Cilantro Fajitas
2 delicious ways...



I love Mexican and Tex Mex food. I would eat tacos, fajitas and flautas everyday if possible. But with the hard economic time we are stuck in, take-out is not something I can eat as much as I want. So I have been making a healthier and cheaper version of some of my favorite foods. These 2 fajitas are loosely based on this little hole in the wall, (Sharky's something)Tex-Mex restaurant in California.  The tacos had a fresh and bright pineapple flavor and I just loved the heat in the salsa, the freshness of cilantro and the grilled char of the chicken. It was a refreshing change from the delicious but heavier cheesy tacos you get here in Indiana. 



Fajita Option #1:

Marinade 4 pieces chicken for 30 to 45 minutes in a 1 gallon bag. Pour 1/4 cup tequila, the juice of 1 lime and 1 cup pineapple juice. Add in 1/3 cup of chopped cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 peeled and diced clove of garlic and stir to mix. Wash the chicken and add it to the marinade. Seal and shake the bag to evenly distribute the marinade.  Grill or bake the chicken to 165˚F and let it cool for 10 minutes. Slice into bite sized pieces.

Toppings:     2 white onions, sliced and caramelized
                    1/3 cup chopped cilantro
                    1/2 cup crushed pineapple, strained
                     fresh salsa
                     cheese
                     sour cream
I piled a little bit of everything on my fajita and it was wonderful!




Fajita Option #2:
My new favorite and sorry folks, no pictures... I ate it all!

This is very similar, but I was more flavorful and much lighter. 

Marinade 4 pieces chicken in 2 tablespoons tequila, 1/2 (20 oz) can pineapple juice and the juice and zest from 1 lime.  Marinade for 30 minutes.
Grill or bake the chicken to 165˚F and let it cool for 10 minutes. Slice into bite sized pieces. This would work with pork too!


Toppings:    
2 white onions, sliced and caramelized in the juice of 1 teaspoon lime juice and 1 teaspoon tequila. Through in  1/2 cup pineapple chunks and 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro in the last 5 minutes. Mix together the chicken and onions with pineapple and just a sprinkle of cheese. You don't need salsa or sour cream. This is so flavorful on its own and the cilantro and pineapple make this fajita amazing!
                    
Have a wonderful and yummy day!

1 comment:

  1. Looks Dee-Lish!!! I will have to try it soon. Found you via FTLOB : )

    ReplyDelete


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