Recipe and photo courtesy of California Avocado Commission
Makes 1 serving
4 oz. fajita vegetables (bell pepper and onion), julienned
4 oz. chicken, shrimp or steak (cut into ½-inch strips if chicken or steak), cooked
2 oz. Jalapeño Butter (recipe below)
4 oz. lettuce mix
4 oz. pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 oz. shredded mixed cheese blend (Monterrey Jack, cheddar, etc.)
2 oz. fried tortilla strips (about two 6-inch tortillas)
1 T. pico de gallo
3 oz. Serrano Vinaigrette, divided (recipe below)
1 T. pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds)
1 oz. ripe California Avocado*, peeled, seeded and diced
1 T. cotija cheese, crumbled
The Jalapeño Butter:
Makes ½ cup
2 oz. margarine, room temperature
2 oz. butter, room temperature
1 T. minced jalapeño
1 ½ t. minced garlic
¾ t. Worcestershire sauce
¼ t. Tabasco sauce
¼ t. Mexican seasoning
¼ t. minced cilantro stems
Place margarine and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat with paddle attachment until mixture is smooth and creamy. Add remaining ingredients and continue to blend on low until all ingredients are combined. Refrigerate until needed. Discard after 3 days.
The Serrano Vinaigrette:
Makes ½ cup
4 oz. Cabernet Vinaigrette
¾ t. minced serrano peppers
½ t. minced garlic
½ t. chopped cilantro
¼ t. freshly ground pepper
Whisk all ingredients together.
To Assemble:
Heat the Jalapeño Butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the julienned fajita vegetables with 1 oz. of Serrano Vinaigrette. Sauté the vegetables until they begin to soften. Add the cooked meat and stir until the meat is heated through. Remove from heat.
In a large bowl, toss the lettuce, pinto beans, shredded cheese mix, fried tortilla strips, pico de gallo, pepitas, and remaining 2 oz. of Serrano Vinaigrette. Arrange on a plate in a large flat mound. Spread the cooked fajita mixture on top of the mound. Top with the crumbled cotija cheese and avocado. Serve.
*Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.