Chicken Fajita and Rice Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb Chicken Breast – Diced in 1 inch cubes
  • 2 Tbs Fajita Seasoning
  • 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 1/2 Cups Chicken Broth
  • 1 1/2 Cups Rice
  • 2 Poblano Peppers
  • 1 Green Pepper – Diced
  • 1 Red Pepper – Diced
  • Chipped Green Chilis
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • 3 Tbs Tomato Paste
  • 2 Cloves Garlic – Minced
  • 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Chili Powder
  • 1/2 Tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 1/4 Tsp Onion Powder

Directions

  1. Place the diced chicken breast in a gallon zip lock bag with the fajita seasoning and 1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil. Mix well and refrigerate to marinade for at least 1 hour.
  2. Roast your poblano peppers. There are several easy ways to roast them. No matter which method you choose, allow your pepper skins to blacken. 
    • Gas stove – place the peppers right over the flame of your gas stove
    • Broiler – using tongs to turn them, broil each side of the peppers
    • Skillet – char them over high heat
    • Grill – roasting peppers over charcoal creates a wonderful smoky flavor.
  3. After the skin is blackened on all sides, place them in a plastic bag or cover them with with saran wrap to trap in some of the heat for a few minutes.
  4. Open the bag, remove the peppers, and rub the skins off as best as you can.
  5. Then remove the seeds and dice the poblanos.
  6. Heat 1 Tbs of olive oil in a sauté pan and cook the chicken through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  7. Remove the chicken and place in a bowl for later.
  8. Over medium heat, add the peppers and green chilis. Sauté for about 3 to 5 minutes to soften. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes.
  9. Add the tomato paste and continue to sauté for 2 minutes.
  10. Add the diced tomatoes, chicken, rice, chicken broth, ground black pepper, chili powder, cumin, salt, and onion powder. Bring to a boil.
  11. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer the mixture for 20 to 25 minutes. Until the rice is tender.
  12. Serve with the condiments of your choice. Sour cream, shredded cheese, cotija cheese, cilantro, etc.

Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Potato Salad

Ingredients

  • 2lb Russet potatoes – diced into 1/2 inch squares
  • 4 hard boiled eggs – halved and diced
  • 14oz Mexicorn Niblets
  • 1 Cup Mayo
  • 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
  • 1 Lime – juiced
  • 1/2 Red Onion – small dice
  • 1 Jalapeño – small dice
  • 1/4 Cup Cilantro – chopped
  • 8oz Cotija cheese (Fresh feta if you cannot find cotija)
  • 1 1/2 Tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 Tsp Chili powder
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground black pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 Tsp Cayenne
  • 1/4 Tsp Garlic powder

Directions

  1. In a medium pot, place the diced potatoes and cover with water, one inch above the potatoes. Add a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Boil for 5 to 7 minutes. Check the potatoes at 5 minutes by poking them with a fork. When tender and not breaking down, remove from heat and drain in a colander.
  3. Once drained, lay the potatoes out on a baking pan lined with paper towels and let them cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Then place in the refrigerator for at least one hour to chill through.
  4. In a small pot, place the diced jalapeños and corn and cover with water. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and strain. Place the mix in a small bowl and cool before placing it in the refrigerator for at least one hour to chill through.
  5. While the potatoes and corn chill, combine the mayo, sour cream, and lime juice in a small bowl and mix well.
  6. After the potatoes and corn mix have been chilled, combine the potatoes, corn mix, diced eggs, onions, and lime mayo mix in a large bowl and mix well. Add the seasoning and the cilantro and mix well again.
  7. Refrigerate the potato salad for at least one hour to set and to incorporate the flavors throughout.
  8. Serve and enjoy.

Sloppy Jose

Ingredients

Filling

  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1/2 Yellow onion – diced
  • 1 Roma tomato – seeded and diced
  • 1 package Old el Paso Taco seasoning (Mild)
  • 1/3 Cup Salsa (i.e. Mild or Hot Pace)
  • 10 oz Crema
  • 4 oz Sour cream

Lime crema

  • 1 Lime – zest
  • 1/2 Lime – juiced
  • Hamburger buns

Toppings

  • Taco Bell chipotle sauce
  • Taco sauce
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Shredded cheese
  • Guacamole

Directions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a sauté pan over medium heat and drain the grease.
  2. Add the taco seasoning, water, and continue per package instructions.
  3. Add the diced onions and tomatoes. Sauté for another 3 to 5 minutes to cook the onions through.
  4. Add the salsa and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Prepare the lime crema by combining the crema, sour cream, lime zest, and lime juice. Mix well.
  6. Toast your hamburger buns so they don’t become soggy when you add the sauce or meat.
  7. Assemble your Sloppy Jose. Place the chipotle sauce down first, followed by shredded lettuce and then the meat. Top with shredded cheese, lime crema, and taco sauce. Spread your favorite guacamole over the top bun (crown) and get messy!

Fajita Seasoning

Ingredients

  • 2 Tsp Chili powder
  • 1 Tsp Cumin
  • 1 Tsp Paprika
  • 1 Tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 1/4 Tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Onion powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Cayenne

NOTE: This is per 1 lb of protein.

Migas con Huevos y Salchicha

Ingredients (4 servings)

  • 1 10 Oz Can Rotel
  • 1/2 White Onion – Diced
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper – Diced
  • 2 Jalapenos – Diced
  • 3 Hot Dogs – Halved and Diced
  • 6 Tostada Shells
  • 8 Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup Pepper Jack Cheese – Shredded
  • 1/4 Tsp Cumin
  • 1/4 Tsp Chili Powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Oregano
  • 1/4 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/4 Tsp Salt
  • 1/8 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • Taco Bell Fire Sauce

Directions

  1. Drain the liquid from the can of rotel. In a large pan, warm 1 Tbs of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the rotel, onions, green bell pepper, jalapenos, a pinch of salt, and ground black pepper to the pan. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Break the tostada shells into one inch pieces.
  3. Add the hot dogs, broken tostada pieces, the seasonings, and continue to sauté for another 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. While you are sautéing, crack the eggs in a bowl and whisk them together.
  5. Reduce the heat of the pan to low and add the eggs. Slowly stir the eggs around to combine everything.
  6. Add the pepper jack cheese and continue to stir the eggs periodically to avoid any burning or over cooking the eggs.
  7. When the eggs are done to your liking, whether you like them a little runny (3 minutes) or well done (over 6 minutes), remove from the heat.
  8. Serve on a plate, in a burrito, as a taco, however you want, and top with your favorites. I like the Taco Bell Fire Sauce myself, with a dash of sour cream and cilantro.

Tex-Mex Lasagna

Ingredients

Meat Filling

  • 1 Lb Ground Beef
  • 1 Packet Taco Seasoning
  • 1/3 Cup Water
  • 1 Can (11 Oz) Mexican Corn
  • 1 Can (10 Oz) Rotel – Serrano or Habanero for heat
  • 1 Can (4 Oz) Green Chilis – Chopped
  • 1 Can (2.5 Oz) Black Olives – Sliced
  • 1 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 Cup Sour Cream
  • 4 Cups Cheese – Shredded Mexican Cheese

Sauce

Noodles

  • 1 Lb Dry Lasagna Noodles

Toppings (Optional)

  • Lettuce
  • Cilantro
  • Crema

Directions

Meat Filling

  1. Cook the taco meat in accordance to the directions on the taco seasoning packet.
  2. Drain and add the corn, rotel, chilis, and black olives. Cook over low heat for 3-5 minutes and add the red pepper flakes. (see photo below)

Assembly

  1. In a 9 x 13 pan, spread out 5 Oz of enchilada sauce or hot sauce.
  2. Place a layer or lasagna noodles lengthways, about 4 noodles.
  3. Spoon half of your meat filling on top of the noodles and spread it out evenly.
  4. Spoon 1/2 Cup of the sour cream in equal amounts across the filling. Top with 1 Cup of shredded cheese. (see photo below)
  5. Repeat steps 2 thru 4 for another layer.
  6. Place the top layer of lasagna noodles lengthways, about 4 noodles. Spread the remaining 5 Oz of enchilada sauce or hot sauce.
  7. Top with the remaining 2 Cups of shredded cheese.

Cooking

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Bake the lasagna uncovered for 30 minutes. Finish on Broil-High for 3-5 minutes to brown the top layer of cheese.
  3. Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
  4. Serve with your favorite toppings: lettuce, cilantro, more sour cream or crema, whatever you want! Enjoy!