Stuffed Poblano Chilies

Yield:4 Servings
Ingredients:
4 large poblano chiles,halved and seeded
1 (16oz.) can refried beans
1 microwaveable pouch rice (like Uncle Ben's), cooked
1/2 c salsa
1 c Mexican cheese
fresh cilantro, chopped

1. Place the poblano chile halves, cut side up in a microwaveable dish and microwave for 3 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the refried beans, rice, and salsa and stir well. Spoon bean mixture into chile halves.Top with Mexican cheese and microwave for about 2 minutes or until
cheese melts.
3.Remove from microwave and place chiles on serving dish and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Chipotle Shredded Beef Tostadas

Yield:8 Servings
Ingredients:
2 lbs. boneless beef eye round, fat removed, cut into chunks
1 small white onion, sliced
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. salt
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1-14.5oz. can diced tomatoes
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4 c bottled chipotle sauce
8 tostadas
chopped onions, to serve
2 large avocados, sliced, to serve
shredded cheese, to serve
sour cream, to serve

1. Combine beef, white onion, crushed garlic, and salt in a large saucepan.Add enough water to cover.Bring to boiling and skim off any foam that rises to the surface.Simmer beef, uncovered,over medium-low heat for about 1 hour or until meat is tender.Remove from heat and shred meat.Reserve broth.
2. In a medium skillet, heat the chopped onions and minced garlic over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender.
3.Add the beef, canned tomatoes, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, and chipotle sauce and cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.If beef mixture is to dry, add some of the reserved broth.
4. Remove from heat and place equal amounts of shredded beef on each tostada.Top with avocado slices, shredded cheese, and sour cream, if desired.

Garlic & Onion Steak Fajitas (Fajitas de Carne con Cebolla y Ajo)

This is a simple dish to put together and doesn't require much in the way of ingredients or time.Great for a quick lunch, snack, or can be doubled for a get together.

Yield:4 Servings
Ingredients:
3-4 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
2 tsp. olive or canola oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3/4- 1 lbs. beef flank steak, cut into chunks
4 flour tortillas

To Serve:
tomatoes, chopped, to serve
bunch of cilantro, chopped, to serve
2 Hass avocados, sliced, to serve
chillies of your choice, chopped, to serve

1. Heat oil on a large pan.Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring for few minutes.Add the flank steak and cook for 5 minutes, stirring every so often.
2. Add salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper.Stir the meat till the spiced are evenly blended.Cook meat for another 10 minutes or until evenly cooked through.
3. Remove meat from heat and set aside.Heat the tortillas.
4. Add meat to tortillas, serve with tomatoes, cilantro, avocados and chillies.Serve immediately.

Carnitas

Yield:6 Servings
Ingredients:
3-4 lbs. boneless pork shoulder, visible fat removed, cut into pieces
6 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 c fresh orange juice
salt
1 tbsp. sunflower oil
corn tortillas, to serve
salsa, to serve

1. Put pork pieces into a heavy, wide frying pan with the garlic, orange juice, and 2 tsp. of salt.Add water to the pan barely covering the meat and bring to a boil over medium heat.Reduce the heat to medium low, cover partially, and cook, stirring occasionally until all the liquid has been absorbed(should take about 50 min to 1 hour).
2. Uncover the pan , add the sunflower oil and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes.
3. Remove pork from pan with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper-lined dish to drain away excess fat.After few minutes,transfer carnitas to a serving platter.Serve on corn tortillas garnished with salsa and a side order of refried beans with rice.

Baja Fajitas

Yield:5 Servings
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. corn oil
1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or top sirloin, cut into strips
1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly chopped
1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 packet(1.5 oz) fajita seasoning mix
1/3 c water or chicken broth

To Serve:
10 flour tortillas
salsa
bunch cilantro
shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
sliced avocados
shredded lettuce

1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.Add the meat, cook and stir for about 4 minutes .Add the onion, bell peppers and continue stirring until the vegetables are tender and the meat is almost cooked through.
2.Add the fajita seasoning mix followed by the water and simmer for about 5-6 minutes.Remove from heat.
3.To serve, place the meat mixture on warmed tortillas and serve with desired toppings.