pineapple salsa vegetable fajitas

Today's post is dedicated to my old boss/other mom, Tracy.   She asked if I could "feature some low cal/fat healthy but easy dishes (30 minutes) for summer."  Since today I was relaxing mostly after my hectic day yesterday, I decided I would try to find inspiration for this on the usual Food Network or Cooking Channel.  I didn't really find anything I could use (the Barefoot Contessa is hardly a go-to for healthy cooking) so I opened my pantry and found a can of pineapples and a jar of Green Mountain Gringo salsa (which has no preservatives, is fat free, low salt, gluten free, etc. -- and it's really good).

That's how I decided I would make healthy pineapple salsa vegetable fajitas for dinner tonight.  They were actually out of this world - I would have licked the plate if it were socially acceptable.  Cumin and cinnamon are commonly used in Mexican cooking, and so at a whim (and in the spirit of experimentation) I cooked the vegetables with those spices since I had them on hand (what Indian household doesn't have a spice dibba with jeera in it?).   I cooked the pineapple and salsa together so the flavors could "marry," and then made some cilantro-"lime" rice & beans (I put it in quotes because I forgot to pick up lime so used lemon instead -- still pretty yum!).  All the components of this meal came together beautifully in the tortilla I toasted with a little bit of shredded Mexican blend cheese, and it was healthy -- vegetables, beans, and whole wheat tortillas!

I think the key to keeping things interesting when you are trying to eat healthy and don't want to eat boiled vegetables all the time is using different herbs and spices.  And I usually use olive oil, which isn't bad for you (and according to Rachel Ray, it makes your hair shiny?? My hair has been shinier lately...fact check anyone?)

Being the corny family that we are, my mom requested Mexican music with our meal, so I played a music channel in the background.  We had some Cabernet with it which went really well with the fajitas.  The full-bodied wine's bold fruit flavors and mild spice complemented the fruit and spices in the fajitas.   


So here it is... I hope you try it out -- and let me know what you think!

Ingredients

(served ~4 people)

Whole wheat tortillas

Mexican blend shredded cheese

Salsa:

1/2 can pineapples, drained and chopped small

1 jar Green Mountain Gringo Salsa (Medium)

1/2 tsp sugar

pinch salt

Optional: 1 poblano pepper, chopped, cored and seeded (keep the seeds aside if you want to add them, but be careful!)

Sauteed vegetables:

1 zucchini, chopped

1 head of broccoli, chopped long and thin

1 green pepper, chopped into strips

1 white onion, chopped 

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. cumin (powder form)

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Cilantro-lime rice & beans:

2 cups already cooked rice (I had some cooked on hand)

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

zest of a lime

juice of a lime

handful of cilantro, chopped

How I did it 

(in 30 minutes! hint-I did the first 2 simultaneously)

In a medium skillet, heat the salsa over low-medium for a couple of minutes, then add the chopped pineapple with the sugar and salt.  Once it starts to simmer, reduce the heat and cover it for two minutes.  Then turn the heat off.

Using a large skillet, heat about two tbsps. of oil with the cumin and cinnamon for a minute over medium heat.  Add the garlic, and saute it for two minutes.  Cook the onions and green pepper together for 3 minutes.  Add the broccoli and cover for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Finally add the zucchini, and let it cook for 3-4 minutes.  Set aside.

In a small pot over low-medium heat, mix the rice and beans together.  Add a pinch of salt, the juice and zest of the lime, and the cilantro.  Mix all together and let it heat for a couple of minutes on low heat.  Turn off, set aside.

One at a time, heat both sides of the tortilla on a pan until it starts to brown a little.   Add a small handful of cheese to the center and let it melt for 30 seconds.  Remove and serve right away.  Have everyone take a scoop of the vegetables, rice and salsa and make their own fajitas.  Drink with some good wine and enjoy with even greater company :-)