with Rice, Black Beans & Cilantro-Lime Crema

Yield: 2

Your choice of chicken, pork or steak coated in a blend of fajita-style spices, seared in a hot pan, and topped with a bright, tangy cilantro-lime crema atop a bed of fluffy, garlicky tomato rice with hearty black beans.
Prep: 5 Cook: 35

• 1tomato
• ½cup white rice
• ¼oz cilantro
• 10oz protein (pork cutlet, chicken breast or steak)
• 1clove garlic
• 8oz black beans
• 1oz chicken stock concentrate
• 1TBS fajita spice blend
• 1lime
• 1½TBS sour cream
• salt & pepper
• 1tsp cooking oil
• 1TBS butter

Start prep:

Wash and dry produce.

Dice tomato into ¼-inch pieces. Peel and mince or grate garlic. Drain beans.

Cook rice & beans:

In a medium pot, combine rice, tomato, garlic, beans, stock concentrate, ¾ cup water, 1 tsp Fajita Spice Blend (you’ll use more later), and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 20-22 minutes.

Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

Finish prep & make crema:

While rice cooks, roughly chop cilantro. Quarter lime.

In a small bowl, combine sour cream, cilantro, and juice from one lime wedge. Add water 1 tsp at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Cook protein:

Pat protein dry with paper towels. (Optional: tenderize protein with jacquard.) Season all over with 1 tsp Fajita Spice Blend, salt, and pepper.

Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.

Add protein and cook until browned and cooked through:

chicken (160°F) 3- to 5-minutes per side, depending on thickness.

pork  (140°F) 3- to 6-minutes per side, depending on thickness.

steak to desired doneness, 3- to 7-minutes per side, depending on thickness.

Tip: If protein starts to brown too quickly, lower the heat and cover pan.

Transfer to a cutting board to rest.

Finish rice & beans:

Fluff rice and beans with a fork and stir in 1 TBS butter.

Finish & serve:

Divide rice and beans and protein between plates in separate sections. Pour the resting juices over protein and drizzle with crema. Serve with any remaining lime wedges on the side.

Slice chicken, pork or steak against the grain.

Fajita Spice Blend

Makes 1 TBS

2          tsp paprika
1/2       tsp onion powder
1/2       tsp garlic powder
1/2       tsp chili powder
1/2       tsp cumin
1/2       tsp oregano