Super Easy Fajitas

 

I rarely go out for mexican food and when I do I always get fajitas.  Well I've made them at home using little seasoning packets, and using super yummy spices that have to marinate for a day or more but sometimes you want a quick and easy recipe that's not in a packet.  After browsing some recipes online and getting a feel for what to use in a home-made marinade we experimented at making up our own recipe and it was a success!  I don't think I'll ever go back to those little packets with a zillion ingredients that I do not recognize.    

Ingredients

1.5 - 2 pounds of chicken or steak sliced in thin strips

4 garlic cloves

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 tablespoon freeze dried or 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional)

1/2 - 1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes, add based on how spicy you like it

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 bell peppers (green, red or yellow) in strips

1 small onion in strips

1 tablespoon olive oil

tortillas

Toppings of your choice - avocado mashed with lime and salsa, hot sauce, salsa, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce are our favorites.

Recipe

1. Combine ingredients chicken through lime juice in large ziplock bag.  Shake it up and let meat marinate for at least an hour.  You can shake and rotate bag a few times.
2. Using a large pan or griddle heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium high heat.  Add the peppers and onions to the griddle and cook until a little blackening caramelization occurs.  Let everything sit on the griddle for a few minutes, don't turn too often.  You want these to have have flavor, soften slightly but still have some crunch.  Remove from pan and set aside when done.
3. Add meat to the pan.  Cook on one side for a few minutes.  It will get a nice sear if you're good and don't flip too soon or try to stir too often.  Flip the meat and cook the other side.  
4. Be sure the meat is cooked through and then add the peppers and onions back to the pan.  Stir everything together and heat through.
5. Serve mixture on a warm tortilla with toppings of your choice