GF, Vegan Fajita Fiesta!

Mexican food is just good. Straight up. There’s something about the fresh flavors, and the interactive nature of building your own burrito that make it an all-around fantastic dining experience. Well tonight, we had a vegan fajita fiesta of our own, complete with all the fixin’s!

a flavor symphony!

Now, of course, an authentic carne asada burrito with the white cheese sauce is something that would make any vegan go weak in the knees. Now-a-days, that delicious decadence would not keep my tummy happy…quite the opposite in fact. But back in the day…shoot…I was the burrito carne asada queen! Cincinnati, or at least in the suburbs where I live *right now*, there are more obscure, little, Mexican restaurants than you can believe. While you’re at one, there are 3 others within eyesight, and I’m not even kidding. Cincinnatians are serious about their margaritas. Anyway…growing up, we frequented Mexican restaurants probably once every 2 weeks. And every time -without fail- I’d order the burrito carne asada…dripping with the creamy queso blanco white sauce. — I’m beginning to drool.

mmmm! sweet and crunchy bell peppers

Well, tonight’s dinner was a bit different. Lose the meat and cheese, and enter fantastic veggies and flavor!

So: Tonight’s Vegan Fiesta! I served warm, chewy –AMAZING– brown rice tortillas with homemade Un-Refried Beans, warm and flavorful veggies, my famous guacamole, and homemade pico de gallo! Oh my Gosh. This was Mexican food like you’ve never had before — the flavors were just EXPLODING! It funny how when you lose the heavy cheese sauces and sour cream, how much the true flavors and textures of the ingredients can shine! It was a symphony on your palate!

cool, creamy, bright and fresh guacamole!

Lets break it down: First, my Guacamole:

1 avocado
1 Tbsp minced onion
squeeze of lime
1 small garlic clove, grated
1/2 small tomato, seeded and diced small
handful chopped cilantro
salt

Mash avocado with salt and lime juice. Stir everything but the tomatoes in, and then gently fold in the tomatoes. Refrigerate. Delish.

amazing texture in the GF tortillas!

Next: Homemade Pico de Gallo

cherry tomatoes, halved
1 garlic clove, grated
1 1/2 Tbsp red onion, finely diced
handful chopped cilantro
healthy squeeze of lime juice
salt

Combine all in a bowl and refrigerate. Serve on the side, or with chips.

Now: Homemade Un-Refried Beans

1/2 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, grated
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 can organic pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup veg stock
salt

Saute the onion and garlic in 1/2 tsp EVOO for 5 minutes with the spices. Add in the beans and mix for a minute.  Then, mash with a potato masher and stir in the veg stock. Let the beans absorb the liquid.  Serve and enjoy. Yum!

my burrito, pre-roll :)

Finally, the star of the show: The Veggie Fajitas!

1 red onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
6 button mushrooms, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced

Spice mix:
1 Tbsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp paprika
salt and pepper

Saute your onions and garlic in 1 1/2 tsp EVOO with the spice mix for about 5 minutes, until they begin to soften. Add in the mushrooms, and let them release their moisture – about 5 minutes. Add in your peppers and cook for about 3 minutes, until they are crisp-tender. You don’t want raw peppers, and you don’t want mushy peppers. Fill your tortillas with this glorious mixture, serve it over rice, or over tortilla chips!

This meal was just phenomenal. My parents raved about it. I filled my tortilla with the beans, veggies, and guacamole. First, the flavor: the beans were unreal – they were so creamy and authentic tasting. Deep, buttery, and so delicious. The veggies were fantastic. They had such a smokey, warm flavor from the cumin and chili powder. However, the sweet, freshness from the peppers and onions were still able to shine through. This, paired with the cooling, bright and fresh guacamole with the cilantro was just outstanding. So many flavors. There was spice, warmth, tang, sweetness, and freshness.

a yummy, vegan, GF fiesta!

Finally, the textures made this meal one to remember. First: the tortilla:Food for Life makes these excellent brown rice tortillas. It’s hard to believe they’re gluten-free! They’ve got the chewy, elasticity, like that of a good flour tortilla–but gluten-free! Pair that with the melt-in-your-mouth onions, crisp-tender peppers, creamy and filling beans, all rounded out by the cool and creamy guacamole. It was truly and exceptional experience.

Tools used in this recipe:

Have your own fiesta! You’ll be glad you did! Happy tummies!