Fajitas - anyone make them without the packet mixes?!

[JadeBigBum]

If you do, please can you tell me what mix of spices you use? I want to start making my own.

Thanks!

I marinade chicken in fresh chilli, coriander and lime juice

I just use smoked paprika and cumin but chuck jalapeno peppers into the salsa for slice. Dc2 gets plain tomato instead of salsa.

Ooh.. interesting thread, thanks for starting this!

There's a good Gordon Ramsay recipe, I'll look it up for you when I drag my lazy arse down to the kitchen to make breakfast!

Lol! Thanks Toominty

Chipotle paste, fresh lime juice and fresh coriander.

Cook meat a little then add the paste and cook. Ensure pan is hot and throw in the lime juice. It'll sizzle a lot. Then pop the coriander in just as you serve. Delicious!

Here you go, it's billed as a "fast, mid-week meal" so it's less complicated than his usual recipes.

To stop the gritty texture mix your chosen spices into afew dollops of Greek yogurt, mix that up together and then stir the chicken in before frying!

I generally mix what I feel like at the time.

BUT Schwartz do something called 'spicy season all' - not this is not 'season all' which is another they do. It goes with most things including fajitas.

We make a very inauthentic version, involving lots of garlic, chipotle, tomato puree and sometimes kidney beans and a tin of tomatoes. But first we fry an onion and fry off the meat and often add a load of other vegetables. Also drain and fry a tin of kidney beans, mashing then slightly as we fry with garlic. Then add chipotle, tomato puree etc. If adding the kidney beans (which soak up moisture) it needs a tin of tomatoes. Lemon juice at the end.

So not exactly like proper fajitas, but a similar meal that is healthy and cheap.
Sometimes instead if wrapping at the table we wrap up the mixture (with cheese) then put in a dish (with more cheese on top) to bake.

I agree with demented pixie. The Santa Maria one is way better and doesn't have all the rubbish in that some packets do. It's so convenient and basically the same as doing your own. Great for making chilli too.

I've made these from BBC good food website before. They're delicious, always get compliments. Don't know how to post click link but

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/11793/chicken-fajitas-with-avocado-and-caesar-dressing

Paprika and Chipotle Tabasco sauce I think, possibly cumin. I think mines a Jamie Oliver one.

Jamie Oliver Super Food Family Classica p.80

If you like the Old El Paso mixes, this recipe is exactly the same.
I didn't think anything homemade could be as good, but this is fab. I haven't bought a packet mix since.

Thanks everyone! Will definitely try the yoghurt tip.

Looking forward to trying out some more recipes. My family will soon be groaning when I say we are having fajitas again .

I really want fajitas now!
(I don't really just wanted to place mark)
Thanks for all the recipes

I make a lovely prawn, lime and chilli fajita. I got the recipe from the bbc good food website. I also make my own spicy mexican rice to go with it. I'm now wanting it for my tea.

Have a Texan relative. Her recipe, Why won’t you sleep, looks a lot like yours. But no cornflour. She stresses the onion powder lots of it, if in doubt more, and smoked paprika, again lots of it. She doesn’t put chilli powder in tho. Maybe some chilli flakes if you want heat, but she says principle is That it’s not a hot dish.

No nasty dried spices. It's all about marinading.

Marinade peppers onions and chicken strips/cubes in:

Crushed garlic
Finely sliced chilli
Lime zest
Lime juice
Chopped fresh coriander
Salt

For at least two hours, then cook. (Fry peppers separately and add at end). Garnish with more fresh coriander.

I might increase quantity depending on how much chicken/lamb and veg I have:
2 tsp Soft Brown Sugar
2 tsp Ground Cumin
2 tsp Ground Coriander
2 tsp Hot Chilli Powder
1 tsp Fresh Mexican Oregano/Dried Oregano
1 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Ground Sea Salt
1 tsp Cornstarch

Might be a bit late to this one but as it goes I faced a no fajita mix situation and so had to improvise:
For the chicken rub:
Garlic powder
Smoked paprika
Chilli flakes
Salt
Pepper

When cooking:
Start with red onions just before caramelisation add tomato purée allow to cook off (often forgot about but most fajita mixes use a tomato powder)
Put in the coated chicken to pan
Add peppers and other ingredients if wanted
Little bit of water allow to bubble off
Easy (and cheaper fajitas)
Always feels better using your own spices in the cupboard, why have them there in the first place?

** forgot fort the chicken rub!!
Some mixed herbs! :) x

I fry the spices first if I don't have time to marinade.