Here’s a Thanksgiving leftover tip! Substitute turkey to build these fabulous sandwiches! YUM!!
Star of the Show! Pickled Red Onions with Jalapeno
Pickling fresh vegetables seems to be all the rage these days. And there’s a good reason. Pickled veggies don’t take a lot of time. The ingredients are cheap and simple. A small sweet and tangy crunchy bite for almost anything. And you can make pickled veggies in small batches.
It only takes 10 minutes to put everything together. And if you make a large batch, Pati says these delicious pickled onions will last in your refrigerator for two weeks.
Tangy and sweet pickled red onions add a flavorful crunchy bite to any sandwich, taco, salads. Whatever your little heart desires!
Author: Patti Jinich
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 2 cups
Ingredients
¼ cup each grapefruit juice, orange juice, lime juice and white distilled vinegar
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon kosher
1 large red onion thinly sliced, about 2 cups
1 jalapeno charred
2 bay leaves
Instructions
Place the grapefruit juice, orange juice, lime juice and vinegar in a mixing bowl along with the black pepper, allspice, and salt. Mix well.
Add the red onions and bay leaves.
Char or broil the banana pepper in the broiler, on the grill, on a hot comal or dry skillet set over medium heat or directly on an open flame, for 3 to 6 minutes. Turn it once or twice, until its skin has lightly charred.
Add to the onions.
Toss well in a canning jar and let the ingredients pickle at room temperature from ½ hour to 2 hours
Put the jar in the refrigerator. Pickled Red Onions will keep in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
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This Chicken Pibil Sandwich is one of my favorites from Pati’s Mexican Table. Spicy chicken topped with crunchy pickled red onions and slathered with avocado crema is a satisfying bite. It’s a quick sandwich to put together, too.
Let’s make a batch!
Chicken Pibil Sandwich with Pickled Onions and Avocado Crema
Nicely seasoned chicken or turkey topped with tangy, sweet pickled red onions and slathered with avocado crema. Quick, easy, and very yummy!
Author: Pati Jinich, Pati's Mexican Table
Recipe type: Sandwich
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4-5 servings
Ingredients
½ pound ripe tomatoes
¼ red onion outer layer removed
3 cloves garlic unpeeled
½ teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups low sodium chicken broth, divided
2 tablespoons canola oil
¼ cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
¼ cup white distilled vinegar
½ teaspoon dried oregano
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons achiote paste chopped (the paste that comes in a bar, not a jar!)
6 cups cooked shredded chicken from homemade broth or rotisserie chicken (may substitute turkey)
Soft buns
Avocado Crema
Pickled Red Onions a la Yucateca
Instructions
Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet or roasting pan with foil. Place the whole tomatoes, onion and unpeeled garlic cloves on the foil and set under the broiler, 3 to 4 inches from the heat. Broil for 4 to 5 minutes, until charred on one side. Flip over and broil for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the skin is blistered and completely charred. The tomatoes should be very soft with the juices beginning to run out. Remove from heat.
Once cool enough to handle, quarter the tomatoes and place in a blender jar along with any juices from the baking sheet. Peel the garlic cloves and add to the blender along with the onion, salt and 1 cup of the chicken broth. Puree until completely smooth.
Heat the oil over medium heat in a casserole or soup pot until hot but not smoking. Pour in the puree and cover partially, as the sauce will sizzle and jump. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and darkens considerably.
Meanwhile, combine the grapefruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, oregano, cumin, allspice, pepper, chopped achiote paste, and the remaining cup of chicken broth in the blender and puree until completely smooth.
Stir the puree into the tomato sauce and bring back to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, then add the shredded chicken. Mix together well and continue to cook, uncovered, until the chicken has absorbed most of the sauce, about 5 minutes. The finished dish should be very moist but not wet or soupy.
To serve, scoop about 1 cup of the chicken pibil onto the bottom half of a bun. Top with avocado crema and a few pickled red onions.
Avocado Crema: 2 ripe avocados; ½ cup Mexican crema;1 minced clove garlic;1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice; ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
I’m no stranger to Mexican cooking. If you’ve read a few of my Mexican food posts, I frequently mention my ex-mother-in-law who was my introductory mentor.
Over the last 40 years, as Mexican food and cooking became an American obsession, I was increasingly intrigued by all the chiles, spices, foodstuffs, utensils, and techniques. I sought out Mexican/Latino grocers and ingredients. I wanted to broaden my horizon to include a variety of South-of-the-Border dishes and not the usual American restaurant fare.
Because I learned from a real Mexican cook, I knew dishes would be delicious and better going the homemade route using traditional ingredients and techniques.
Enter Pati Jinich. Her show on PBS, Pati’s Mexican Table was nominated for two James Beard awards and two Emmy awards. Pati begins her sixth season in September 2017.
Pati has an interesting story. She was born in Mexico City to Mexican-Jewish parents, and was raised in Mexico City. Not until she was married did Pati and her husband move to Texas.
Pati’s career began as a political policy analyst. Eventually, at the urging of her husband and family, Pati decided to migrate to another career doing what she’s passionate about, Mexican food.
I’ve learned a lot about Mexican ingredients and cooking methods from her blog and television program. Pati has a simple, welcoming style. It’s clear she loves to teach and share what she learns.
Pati’s blog is divided into three sections: Recipes, The Basics, and Ingredients. If you’re looking to build a well-stocked Mexican pantry, be sure to visit her Ingredients section – everything from spices and chiles to grains, beans, and vegetables. Browse in The Basics section for tips on cooking techniques and utensils. The Recipe section is amazing. Pati has included so many dishes I’ve never imagined to try.
Mole Poblano Yes You Can! is her recipe for the dark, richly flavored cooking sauce that coats chicken, tortillas for enchiladas, served with eggs, potatoes, and napoles (cactus). Pati solves the mystery of making a batch of this famous Mexican food staple, and breaks down making it yourself in easy to follow steps, coaching along the way with ingredient pairings, descriptions and why they work.
Fast Track Chicken Pilbil Sandwich is another of my very favorites. Scrumptious, creamy, crunchy, it’s all those things. The avocado crema is phenomenal.
Pickled Red Onions a la Yucateca has become a family favorite not only for the Pilbil Sandwich, but to top tacos. They’re crunchy, not too sweet, not too vinegary – they’re a perfect accompaniment for any sandwich, grilled meat, eggs. These onions are addictive. Learn about bitter orange as the unique ingredient for the pickling liquid.
Here are a few of Pati’s recipes I’m eager to try:
However, the star of the show in today’s post is the side dish in the upper right hand corner of the plate: Carmen’s Mexican Rice.
I’ve written frequently about my ex-mother-in-law, Carmen, and how she influenced my Mexican cooking skills and palate. One side I learned very early in the process was Mexican Rice.
It’s a staple of most south-of-the-border meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Served with beans of any sort, rice and beans is a complete protein. In fact, rice and beans is a fabulous vegetarian/gluten-free option. You’ll find recipes for beans and rice all over southern and Latino cooking sites on the web. Such an amazing and healthy combination.
Anyway, I digress.
Many years ago, a younger Mimi, husband, and new baby visited Carmen’s homestead in Grand Island, Nebraska. Her mother still lived in the same house where the family was raised. Imagine the curiosity aroused when a “gringa” showed up and actually volunteered to help with dinner preparations!
I remember uncles, aunties, and Grandma Garcia (the matriarch) watching over my shoulder as I confidently whipped up a batch of rice to serve for the evening meal. Nods of approval and Spanish spoken praises were received and well-appreciated. Maybe their beloved Anthony hadn’t done so bad after all!
Nevertheless, Mexican Rice is so easy to put together. Carmen’s recipe included onions as the only vegetable. Peas, carrots, green beans were not in the mix. And Mexican Rice is inexpensive. Paired with beans, flour tortillas, grated cheese and a side salad, this dish is very frugal.
Let’s Cook!
This is my favorite rice cooking vessel. It’s an old Guardian Ware aluminum pot that belonged to one of my grandmothers. Both used Guardian Ware, and I was the lucky recipient of this one.
I like it because it’s sturdy. The walls are thick. The lid fits well and retains heat nicely. Every pot of rice I conjure up comes out perfect no matter the recipe.
If you don’t have one of these handy, rice is successfully cooked in an enameled cast iron pot or a heavy pot will a tight fitting lid.
Before you begin, measure out your ingredients:
1 3/4 cups of low-sodium chicken stock or water mixed with 1/4 cup tomato sauce
1 cup long grain white rice
1 medium onion, cut in half and then into chunks
1-2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Over medium-high heat, add 1-2 Tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil. (I like olive oil.)
Once the oil is hot, add the rice. Begin to stir so all the rice is coated with oil.
Continue to cook until some of the rice is translucent and other kernels are lightly browned.
Add the chopped onion to the rice. Cook for a minute or two until the onions begin to wilt and become lightly browned.
Add the chicken stock or water and tomato sauce. Careful – the liquid may steam and spatter.
Add the oregano and garlic salt. Stir to distribute everything. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce temperature to a simmer and cover.
Let the rice simmer for 13 minutes. Once it’s done, immediately remove from the heat and set aside to let the rice finish cooking. You can put the pot in a slow oven (185°F) to finish cooking for 15-20 minutes to keep it warm before serving.
You can lift the lid and fluff up the rice, but I usually don’t. My daughter tells me the “money bite” is the rice, onions, and oregano that settles to the top.
Now, If I’d had my act together, I would have remembered to take a picture when the rice was finished. Must have been hungry this day and in a rush to get dinner on the table. Ooops . . .
My young family would eat leftover rice, refried beans, tamales, and warm tortillas for breakfast. Ah, the good old days when I didn’t have to worry about all those carbs and calories!
During the hot days of summer, we are all looking for a flavorful, healthy and quick meal. I frequently turn to fresh seafood as an alternative to traditional grilled burgers and dogs or dinner salad.
A family favorite and crowd pleaser, you can’t go wrong with are Mimi’s Fast & Easy Shrimp Fajitas.
Oh, so simple! Oh, so quick! Oh, so DELICIOUS!!
I serve the fajitas, whether they’re shrimp, chicken or beef, with warm flour tortillas along sides of Mexican Rice or Refried Beans, and a simple green salad. As an added bonus, this dish is gluten-free, if you use gluten-free flour or corn tortillas. If you’re filled with ambition, you should make or learn to make homemade flour tortillas.Takes the “quick” out of it, but still. Some store-bought brands can be very good, like El Milagro. But like everything homemade, they’re just better tasting. I did make my own every week for many years to serve at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Awesome!
I think my Mexican-ex-mother-in-law would get a kick out the fact that I cook so much Mexican food – mainly inspired by her. My mom would make out-of-this-world tacos, but rarely ventured out of that comfort zone. When I married, I learned so much about Carmen’s Mexican cooking. She taught me a lot. She always made her own tortillas, and she was lickity-split! Amazing!
Let’s Cook!
I like to buy raw shrimp in the 20-25/pound range that have been shelled and deveined. It makes the process simple and quick. You can use frozen shrimp – it doesn’t take long to thaw. All you do is put the frozen shrimp in a bowl and fill it with cool tap water. In about 20 minutes, the shrimp are ready to use. I plan on 1/3 pound of shrimp per person. One pound will feed three gracious eaters or two voracious ones.
Sometimes even cleaned and shelled shrimp can leave behind bits and pieces of the black vein running down the middle. I always run the tip of a paring knife down along the track to make sure the black stuff is gone. According to seafood sources, you don’t have to. But why wouldn’t you? It looks awful. And it’s good to run your fingers through the water to check for any pieces of shells wandering aimlessly around.
Rinse the resultant shrimp well in cold water, drain well, and layer on a baking sheet lined with a double thickness of paper towels. Place a paper towel on top, and pat dry. It’s good to have the shrimp as dry as possible so they’ll sear well in a hot skillet.
Now, spray the tops lightly with cooking spray. Season lightly with salt and pepper. If you want to add some spice, it’s a good time to sprinkle with any or all of your favorite Mexican spices: ground cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper. Whatever you prefer. Set aside while you prep the vegetables.
For one pound of shrimp, I use one medium onion cut in half and then into strips. One red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into strips. One large jalapeno pepper, cored, seeded, and finely diced. And one clove of garlic, minced.
The next step goes quickly. Have a serving plate or serving bowl at the ready for the vegetables as they come off the heat.
Heat a griddle over or a large skillet to medium-high heat. A cast iron griddle or skillet would be ideal, but not imperative. I use a 12″ iron skillet when I’m cooking one pound of shrimp, and a larger griddle over two burners when I cook larger quantities.
Add two tablespoons of olive or neutral cooking oil to the skillet and spread it around to cover the bottom. Add the sliced onions, sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper, and cook quickly, stir-fry style, until the edges begin to brown and the onions begin to wilt. Quick cooking will help the onions keep their shape and stay crunchy.
Add the red peppers, jalapeno, and garlic to the skillet. Again, quickly stir-fry the vegetables until the peppers are heated through and the garlic becomes fragrant.
Put the cooked vegetables in your serving bowl or plate. (I use a flat oval 3-quart Pyrex dish.) Set aside and keep warm. Don’t cover with foil or plastic wrap, because the veggies should keep their bite. Covering them will steam them, and the vegetables will be mushy. Still delicious, but you know. I usually put them in an unheated oven or in the microwave.
In the same skillet over medium-high heat, layer the shrimp in a single layer, seasoned side down.
Cook for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp just begin to turn pink and a little carmelization is happening around the edges.
One-by-one, flip the shrimp to cook on the other side – 1-2 minutes max. The shrimp should be cooked through, but tender. Overcooking will make them tough. Sprinkle with the juice of half a lemon.
Spoon the shrimp over the cooked vegetables.
And there you have it!
Fresh, fragrant, juicy, steamy, delicious! And QUICK!
Here are some condiment
suggestions for the fajitas:
Don’t be skeptical. Walk on the Wild Side with a heaping bowl of this fabulous and flavorful chili. Take a look. How can you resist?? I can’t.
UH OH! – what is that nestled among all those yummy vegetables? OK – You may be right – shhhh, it’s ground chicken. Guess I’m busted, eh?
Truthfully, the day I decided to make this delicious chili, I wasn’t going to shell out $12 for all the portabello mushrooms called for. BAM! Best Veggie Chili is, essentially, a frugal recipe. You know? . . . So, I substituted a pound of browned ground chicken at $3.99/pound for some of the portobellos I wasn’t willing to pay for at the grocery.
However, if you find portabellos cheap, I wouldn’t hesitate using them, leaving out the chicken. I’ve done it before, and it is FABULOUS! Or substitute cremini mushrooms, which really are baby portobellos and cheaper. My “meat-lover” husband loves this chili with or without the ground chicken.
I’m not a big zucchini fan, but it goes into the pool with all their veggie friends. This dish is such a happy one!
What’s to love?
The finished flavor is perfectly balanced. It’s not spicy hot, but has subtle heat from the serrano chilis, chili powder, and cumin. What you’d expect in chili. Use whatever canned beans you enjoy: pintos, kidney, black, or a can of chili beans. This day, I used a drained and rinsed can of black beans and a can of regular chili beans with all their liquid.
The sweet crunch from corn is irresistible. It makes the dish. Do not be tempted to leave it out. I always use frozen corn, but if canned is all you have in the larder, what the heck. And canned petite diced tomatoes. You can use fresh tomatoes and dice them yourself if you have access to lovely ones and the time to prepare them. Or a sous chef . . . just sayin’
One serving suggestion is to make some brown rice and scoop 1/4 – 1/2 cup into the bottom of the bowl and ladle the chili over that. A slab of freshly made cornbread is another good idea. If you like a little more spice in your bowl, add a shake or two of Tabasco, or use Pepper Monterey Jack cheese as garnish. Don’t be shy either. Add a dollop or two of sour cream and diced avocado. You won’t regret it.
This is also an awesome slow cooker dish. Like any good chili, it’s great the next day and freezes beautifully.
Credit for this recipe goes to Emeril Lagasse, renowned chef and restauranteur, thus the title. Here’s the link on Food Network.Don’t be intimidated by the plating. It’s a little foo-foo. Not very Midwestern, if you know what I mean. In any regard, this is one great bowl of chili.
This is an extremely flavorful vegetarian chili with portabello mushrooms as the meat substitute. Don't care for mushrooms? Substitute ground chicken or turkey. This is a fabulous dish that can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6-10
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
1½ cups yellow or sweet onion, diced
1 cup red or yellow bell peppers, diced
2 Tablespoons garlic, minced
2-3 serrano peppers, minced
1 medium zucchini, cut into small dice
2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
1½ pounds portobello mushrooms, wiped clean and cubed
1 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon cumin
1¼ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne
2- 15 oz cans black beans, or pinto beans, or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup vegetable stock or water
¼ cup cilantro, chopped, optional
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Sour cream, optional
Diced avocado optional
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the onion, serrano peppers, and bell peppers. Sautee for 10 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
Add garlic, and continue to sautee for 1 minute or until you can smell the garlic.
Add onions, serrano pepper, bell pepper and garlic into a large slow cooker.
Add the next 10 ingredients to the slow cooker. Omit the cilantro. Stir to combine.
Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours or on low heat for 7-10 hours, stirring occasionally.
Just before serving, add the chopped cilantro, if desired.
At serving, sprinkle cheese over hot chili. Add a dollop of sour cream, diced avocado, and serve with a wedge of lime as garnish.
Notes
Cooking Options: Substitute browned ground chicken or turkey in place of some of the portobello mushrooms. Serving Options: Serve with ¼ to ½ cup of cooked brown rice in the bottom of the bowl, then ladle chili over rice. Serve with hot corn bread.
Avocado Crema: 2 ripe avocados; ½ cup Mexican crema;1 minced clove garlic;1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice; ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
