Guest Chef Michele

Thursday August 25, 2011:   Chicken Fajitas

Guest Chef Michele:  I'm happy to report that we had our air conditioning fixed since the last Cooking with Marilee. However, Michele and I definitely stirred up some heat in the kitchen. Michele practices eating low carbs, so this recipe has very few carbohydrates. However, it is not low in flavor. It is too bad you can't smell this blog because with the chicken and the onions cooking, it sure smelled wonderful. After putting this recipe together, I'm convinced that I need to get a garlic press, lime squeezer and a salad spinner. *hint, hint*

Cracking Garlic

Mincing garlic with the garlic press

Things I learned:  You would have thought that I had learned all about garlic last week with John and Eric. But Michele had more garlic hints for me. She showed me how to crack the garlic by pressing on the garlic clove with the side of the knife blade till it snaps. Then the peeling comes off much easier. Then she put the clove in the garlic press and minced it in a flash.

The fajitas recipe called for 3 tablespoons of lime juice so Michele also showed me a how to use the lime squeezer. She had this great tip for lime juice:

Michele's Lime Juice Tip (click on the video)

Ingredients for Chicken Fajitas

Chicken: 

1-1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 T olive oil
3 T lime juice
2 cloves garlic
1 C packed cilantro leaves
1/2 seeded jalapeno pepper
salt/pepper to taste
1 lg. onion, peeled and cut in strips
1 green pepper seeded and sliced
10 low carb tortillas
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Salsa

1) Flatten chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thick (put chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a mallet or rolling pin)
2) Place flattened chicken in glass baking dish.
3) In blender combine 2 T olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, salt and pepper.

Cilantro makes it green

4) Blend until smooth and pour over the chicken. (It will be very green)
5) Let marinate for 30 minutes

(while chicken is marinating blend up your favorite margarita mix)

Vegetables:
6) Slice the chicken into strips
7) Cook in skillet, grill pan or on the grill
8) Heat 1T oil in skillet and add onions and green peppers, cook till tender.
9) Heat tortillas

Pulling off the cilantro leaves and packing them in the measuring cup

Cooking the chicken, onions and green peppers

For an added bonus: Make your own Low Carb Chips

1) Cut one package of tortillas chips into quarters

2) Lay the pie shaped pieces out on a cookie sheet

3) Pour some olive oil over the top and brush oil over both sides of each piece

4) Bake in 350 degree oven until browned

 

Build your fajita on a tortilla with chicken, onion, green peppers, cheese, sour cream and salsa

Roll the tortilla around the filling and enjoy

It was also my mother's 70th birthday so we celebrated with fajitas, chips and margaritas.

Happy Birthday Mom