Fajita Bar

Whether you're hosting a football party or just feeding your crew, a Fajita Bar is the perfect way to ensure everyone gets just what they want!

Hello Fajita Bar!

Fajitas are delicious, convenient, inexpensive and diverse - providing healthier options that anyone can enjoy! Take a peek at the list we’ve created for you to create your own Fajita Bar! Want to make it even easier when you are hosting? Divide and conquer by asking your guests to each bring something from the list! Bonus: most everything can be prepared the night prior to your party and reheated in your oven or slow cooker. Here’s what you’ll need:

Wraps:

Offer a variety of ways to wrap up your meal and think outside of the box, too! Here are our favorites:

• La Tortilla Factory Tortilla (50-calories each)
• Ole Wellness Wraps (50 calories eacy)
• Lettuce Wraps - use leaves from a head of iceberg lettuce, butter lettuce, romaine hearts, and even cabbage
• Salad – 1-2 bags of mixed greens is perfect to create your own fajita salad

Protein:

Serving a variety of proteins will give everyone options. For MRC Clients following program, remember that cheese counts toward your protein servings (so be sure to adjust your portion sizes accordingly) Here are some of our favorites:

• Chicken
• Steak
• Shrimp or Flaky Fish
• Tofu
• Ground Turkey or Beef
• Cheese

Veggies:

Load up! The list is endless when it comes to piling up on veggies. Colored bell peppers and mushrooms are among the most common fajita veggies, but no one says you have to stick to just these either. Blistered cherry tomatoes or diced grilled zucchini, squash, and eggplant also all make an amazing pairing with a plate full of fajitas. For more carb-concious eaters, replace traditional onions with sliced scallions sprinkled with onions salt!

Top it:

• Black beans. Toss black beans on top of a lettuce wrap or salad (MRC Clients - this serves as your carbohydrate serving)
• Avocado. Bring on the healthy fat by serving sliced avocado or even MRC’s Guacamole for a delicious topping! (see recipe below)
• Salsa. We've shared a homemade salsa below that we love. If you choose a store made salsa, choose one without added sugar or oils
• Baked Tortilla Chips. Skip the plain tortilla and top with chips (MRC Clients - this serves as your carbohydrate serving)

Additional recipe ideas to complete your Fajita bar!

Easy Guacamole:

Ingredients:

• 8 oz Hass avocados, chopped
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 8 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 small clove garlic, mashed
• 1 tsp chopped cilantro
• chopped jalapeno (to taste, if you're spicy)
• salt and pepper, to taste

Place chopped avocado in a mixing bowl and slightly mash with a fork leaving it chunky. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.

This recipe makes 4 servings, to keep the guacamole from turning brown place the pit in the bowl with the guacamole and cover (this is great for same day). To keep it fresh for up to three days place guacamole in a bowl with a tight fitting lid, pack tightly pressing out any air bubbles. Drop room temp water over the top, about 1/2 inch high. Place lid on and store for up to 3 days. When you are ready to each simply pour the water off the top and enjoy!

1/4 recipe replaces 1 fat serving and 2 oz of your vegetable serving

Instant Fire Salsa:

Ingredients:

• 3 large tomatoes, diced
• 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 2 tsp. of fresh cilantro, chopped

Mix together & let flavors blend overnight or for several hours.

3 servings. Recipe replaces 4 oz of your vegetable serving.

TIP: Triple this recipe and store it in a mason jar. It's wonderful on eggs at breakfast or chicken at dinner.

Baked Tortilla Chips

Ingredients:

• 3 50-calorie wraps
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• Course Ground Sea Salt

Preheat oven to 350º. Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Cut tortillas into 8 triangles or if you prefer round chips use a round cookie cutter. Place cut tortillas on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 6-7 minutes. Remove from oven and flip chips to other side. Bake for additional 6-7 or until crispy and golden brown. Pay close attention in the last few minutes as these chips can burn easily!

3 servings. Replaces 1 carbohydrate serving.

Dry Salsa – great for seasoning steak strips

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• ½ tsp. lemon powder
• ½ tsp. dried cilantro, crushed

Combine all ingredients & rub well into steaks. Refrigerate 3 hours or longer before cooking steak; makes enough for 6 1-lb steaks.

This spice is FREE on MRC Programs!

MRC Ranch Dressing

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. low-fat cottage cheese (1%)
• ½ pkg fat-free Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix
• 2-4 oz. of water

Blend all ingredients and enjoy!

1 Tbsp = 1 serving.