A fajita
is a Tex-Mex term for a delicious grilled entrée, usually served with flour or
corn tortillas.
Both savory and spicy, this plant-based fajita recipe features
hearty-tasting marinated portabella
mushrooms, red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini, jalapeño pepper, garlic,
onion, and a mix of additional seasonings served sizzling hot.
Rather than use the traditional strips of beef or chicken, my
veganized fajita rendition is budget-friendly and chock full of colorful, satisfying, and fun to eat mushrooms and veggies.
Colorful, Satisfying, and
Fun to Eat
Vegan Fajita Recipe
Ingredients:
6-8 oz. Portabella Mushrooms
1 Red and
1 Yellow Sweet Pepper
1 Large Red or Yellow Onion
1 Medium Zucchini
1 Tablespoon Whole Wheat flour or naturally gluten-free corn
flour, with 2 Tablespoons of water to mix away lumps.
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil (use
water or veg broth if you want dish to be oil free)
½ teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika or smoked
paprika
1 small jalapeño pepper(cleaned,de-seeded,and chopped)
2 Tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos,
or soy sauce
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 or 3 cloves minced fresh garlic
or to taste
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro or
parsley if preferred
2 teaspoons tomato paste or 2
teaspoons tomato sauce
Juice from 2 fresh limes or lemons
(reserve 8 drops of juice to sprinkle on at the end)
8 Corn or flour tortillas
Guacamole or sliced avocado
Salsa
Optional Ingredients: beans, brown rice, corn kernels, tofu,
tempeh, greens, and other colorful veggies.
What to do:
Make the marinade first. In a
medium size mixing bowl, combine the flour and water until lump free. Add lime
juice, oil, spices and seasonings, Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce, tomato
paste, and salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Mix it or whisk well.
Clean veggies and mushrooms, and cut into strips of approximately
the same size. The variety and amount of veggies you use is flexible.
Place in a storage container and
blend in marinade until fajitas are well coated. Cover with a tight fitting lid, and shake well.
Select a cook method that's practical and easy for you.
The first method I
suggest is to find a broiler safe pan. Put a few drops of water
in the bottom of the pan so veggies don’t stick.
Place marinated veggies in the
pan and cover with aluminum foil. Roast in a preheated 400° F oven for 15
minutes. Then uncover and place veg fajita mixture under broiler for 4-5
minutes or longer to give this dish that grilled look.
A second way to cook fajitas is
to spread marinated veggies and mushroom strips on a piece of parchment paper that covers a sheet pan. Then roast the fajitas in a preheated 400° F oven for 15-20 minutes or until
tender.
Note: do not put parchment paper under broiler as it will burn.
A third way to cook this dish is on an indoor or outdoor grill.
I prefer to use the first
cooking method, because it's easy to keep fajitas juicy this way. I also don't want to be bothered with running outside in the winter to use the grill.
Cook fajita mixture immediately
or refrigerate until ready to cook. The longer the veggies marinate,
the more flavorful they get. Before cooking
this dish, shake the fajita mixture again. Use within 3 days.
When ready to plate cooked fajitas, scoop a portion of this mixture into a flour
or corn tortilla, one that's already been warmed in a 350° F oven for 5 minutes.
Drizzle on a drop of fresh lime juice, dollop of guacamole or avocado slices, and salsa onto the veggie mixture. Garnish with sprigs of cilantro or parsley and lime slices. Two tortillas make one serving.
Another way to serve it is to put it all on a bed of brown rice and black beans. That way everyone can help themselves.
Vegan Fajitas are a healthy
south of the border treat. Serve it on Meatless Monday, for weekday lunch or
dinner, weekend meals, and fun gatherings.
Satisfy even the heartiest eaters, by serving this dish with a
portion of whole black or pinto beans, and rice or corn. Why not include a
tossed green salad as well?
This recipe serves 4 people. Leftovers can be refrigerated and
eaten within 3 days. If you'd rather freeze extra food, place is an airtight container and keep in the freezer for up to a month.
Please comment below.
Have you ever made
fajitas? Even though this recipe has many ingredients, it's a snap to put
together and cook. It can be ready in no more than 30 minutes, and is brimming
with bold and bright flavors, interesting textures and colors, and has a tantalizing aroma.
