Dinner with a Twist of Lime

A casual dinner party with our good friends Dave and Tracie became a little more than expected.  We had a few extra guests ( one of my besties, Les [above] and me) and soon our home looked like the crazy cactus. Note to self: Margaritas taste just as good on a Sunday night when you have to get up in the morning.   

Menu

Fresh Salsa

Jalapeno Poppers

Black Bean Salad

Skirt Steak and Chicken Fajitas with Pico De Gallo

SkinnyGirl(TM) Margaritas 

Fresh Salsa

( easiest and freshest salsa - a sure fire win)

6-9 tomatoes, finely chopped 

1 can green chilies, minced (i think these are a tostitos brand in the chip aisle)

1/4 onion, minced

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

green onion, sliced

1/4 cup tomato sauce

1/4 t garlic powder

1/4 t cumin

1/2 t chili powder

1/2 t vinegar

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 lime, juice

combine ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy

(this recipe given to me by the great Jeanelle Baillargeon)

Jalapeno Poppers

6 large sized jalapeno peppers

1 pkg light cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup grated mozza cheese

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

2 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt and pepper

2 cups panko (crunchy breadcrumbs)

1/2 tsp paprika

Preheat oven to 350.

Cut jalapenos in half lengthwise, remove seeds and membranes.

In bowl, stir cream cheese, mozza, cumin. Stuff Jalapeno halves. Rolling cheese is easiest.

In a bowl beat eggs with a fork. In another bowl combine flour, s&p, garlic powder. In third bowl combine crumbs and paprika.

One at a time, dip jalapenos in flour, then egg, then crumbs.

Place on greased baking sheet (non-stick spray) cut side up.

Bake for 30 minutes. Serve immediately. 

Makes 12 poppers

(recipe from "grazing" by Julie Van Rosendaal)

Black Bean Salad

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can corn, drained

2 roma tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup diced red bell pepper

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/4 cup diced green onion

1 sliced avocodo

1 Tbsp chopped cilantro

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

4 Tbsp sherry vinegar

juice of 1/2 lime

3 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp salt

1 tsp pepper

pinch of cumin

Mix together and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve

(recipe from Guy Fieri)

Fajita with Pico de Gallo

1/2 cup oil

1 yellow onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 jalapeno, minced

1 Tbsp chopped oregano

1 tsp cumin

1 Tbsp chile powder

2 Tbsp cilantro

1/4 cup Tequila

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 skirt steak or 4 chicken breasts

Mix marinade together, let sit overnight, turning occasionally. Grill (dont cook steak over med-rare)

12 flour tortillas

Pico de Gallo

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 yellow onion, chopped

1/4 cup cilantro

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

juice of a lime

salt

Mix together, place on fajitas. Serves 4-6

SkinnyGirl(TM) Margaritas

1-2 oz CLEAR tequila

1 ozish Orange Liquor

juice of 1 lime

Mix in shaker over lots of ice. Enjoy! Low Calorie Drink! Very Strong but so good.

Good meal with great company. Found skirt steak too tough but the rest was delicious.