Oven Baked Fajitas

I never put fajitas or tacos on the dinner menu because they always take so much time and so many ingredients, that it's just not worth it for me.  When I stumbled across this recipe, I knew I had to try it.  Fajitas in the oven?  Genius!  They are awesome.  So easy to prepare, quick, and tasty!  We served them with some guac and sour cream and it was  totally effortless.  I used frozen peppers instead of fresh, to save time and money.


Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 large bell pepper, seeded and sliced (I use 1/3 of a bag of frozen pepper strips)
• 12 flour tortillas
• Toppings such as cheese, sour cream, and guacamole – if desired

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken strips in a greased 13×9 baking dish.
2. In a small bowl combine the oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt
3. Drizzle the spice mixture over the chicken and stir to coat.
4. Next add the tomatoes, peppers, and onions to the dish and stir to combine.
5. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve on tortillas with desired toppings.

original recipe found here

Pakistani Kima - beef curry

The husband and I love ethnic foods.  Especially Indian.  I've never cooked Pakistani food before, so this was a first for me.  Boy was it delicious!  Full of flavor and very hearty for a cold evening, like we had here last week.  The only change I'd make is to double the curry powder.  But our curry is a bit old, so maybe it's lost flavor over the months?  Otherwise, I wouldn't change a thing!


Ingredients

• 2 – 3 Tbsp oil
• 1 cup chopped onion 
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1 1/2 Tbsp curry powder 
• 2 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ginger
• 1/8 tsp turmeric
• 2 1/2 – 3 cups tomatoes (about 1 1/2 14 oz cans)
• 3 potatoes
• 2 1/2 – 3 cups peas

Directions

1.  Melt oil or butter in a large pan.

2.  Add onion and garlic.

3.  Cook until onion softens and garlic begins to brown (watch it carefully – garlic burns easily!)

4.  Add meat and cook thoroughly.

5.  Add curry, salt and spices.  Stir well.

6.  Dice potatoes into 1/2 inch chunks.

7.  Add potatoes, tomatoes and peas to the pan.

8.  Bring to a simmering boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 25 minutes, or until potatoes are done.

original recipe found here

Broiled tilapia w/Summer Grape Tomatoes

No pictures of my own this time - life with a toddler is fairly hectic, so stopping to snap a picture before putting dinner on the table, doesn't really happen these days.  But this recipe is too good not to share.  It's healthy, simple, quick, and delicious!  What more could you ask for?  This will be a great way to use tomatoes and basil from our garden this summer.  And the sauce would be great on pasta or chicken as well.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 lb grape tomatoes, cut in half
• salt and fresh pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
• olive oil spray
• 4 pieces (7 oz each) flounder (or tilapia or sole)

Directions:

1. In a large skillet heat oil on high heat. Add garlic and cook until golden. 
2. Add tomatoes, salt and fresh pepper and reduce heat to low. 
3. Simmer for about 15 minutes, add fresh basil and cook another 5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, while sauce is simmering, season fish with salt and pepper and lightly spray with oil. Broil or grill fish on medium heat until cooked through (I broiled on low for about 6-7min). When fish is cooked top with tomato sauce.

original recipe found here