Beef Fajitas and Black Bean Couscous Salad with Laird Jillian’s Blend

Even though I had a long day, we had such a yummy dinner this night. On nights I work late, I like having easy filling recipes that I can start the night before and quickly put together when I get home. I marinate the beef the night before as well as make the salad. The salad does not need to be put together more than thirty minutes before dinner. However, I do think it tastes better after sitting in the fridge for awhile. This side dish is very easy to put together. It is also healthy and satisfying. As it is a cold dish, it is also a great choice for potlucks and picnics.


WINE: 2007 Laird Jillian’s Blend, Napa Valley

This lush and beautifully layered wine is blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. The winemaker did an excellent job of balancing fruit and earth. Berry and plum mingle with subtle spice and clove. The wine finishes with smoky clove and long tannins.

This was a fantastic pairing. I chose it as I could not decide whether or not to pair a Cab or a syrah with this dish!

RECIPE: Beef Fajitas
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
• 1 14.5 oz can beef broth
• ½ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 ½ lb. skirt steak
• Dozen tortillas, warmed

GARNISHES/TOPPINGS:
• OPTIONAL: Shredded cheddar cheese
• OPTIONAL: Pico de Gallo (See recipe below)
• OPTIONAL: 1 green Pepper, sliced
• OPTIONAL : 1 onion, sliced
• OPTIONAL: Sour Cream
• OPTIONAL: Guacamole (I am not including a recipe for this since I am allergic to avocado and never make this myself.)

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients from beef broth through cilantro in Ziploc bag. Seal and shake well.
2. Add skirt steak and marinate overnight.
3. Heat grill to medium high.
4. Without closing cover, cook steak for 3-4 minutes on each side until it is springy to the touch. This will result in medium rare steak.
5. Allow meat to rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it.
6. Slice into inch long pieces. Allow individuals to place meat in tortillas with optional toppings.
7. OPTIONAL: I like to heat my cast iron skillet in oven at 350° for ~ minutes. I then place sliced meat on this to serve.
8. OPTIONAL: Before I turn on grill, I slice green peppers and onion and sauté them with a little oil while I get everything else ready. When they are done, I serve them under fajita slices.

RECIPE: Black Bean and Couscous Salad
Servings: 6

• 1/2 cup uncooked couscous
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ red onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed (I like the frozen roasted corn from Trader Joes_
• 1 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

Directions:
1. Cook couscous according to package directions using the broth in place of water.
2. When couscous is cooked fluff with fork and set aside to cool.
3. In a large bowl, mix together couscous, onion, red pepper, cilantro, corn and beans
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, cumin, salt and pepper.
5. Pour over salad and stir.
6. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

RECIPE: Pico de Gallo

Ingredients:
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
• ¼ tsp salt
• Juice of 1 lime

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, mix together tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro and salt.
2. Squeeze lime juice over everything and then stir.
3. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. Refrigerate if letting sit longer.

Slightly Spicy Seared Tuna Steaks and Edamame Salad with Snosrap 2007 Cyrano Syrah

The tuna pairs perfectly with the gorgeous edamame salad. This dish is very healthy, yummy, and easy. Don’t skimp on the quality of the tuna as it is best served seared and rare. You can ad more sriracha and/or red pepper flakes to make it spicier. The salad recipe serves four, but I make a whole batch even when it is just my husband and I. The leftovers go great mixed with a can of tuna for lunch the next day.


WINE: Snosrap 2007 Cyrano Syrah
http://www.parsonagewine.com/

Parsonage is my favorite local winery, and I love this Syrah. Notes of chocolate mingle with the berries on the beautiful bouquet. The palate is full of berry fruit with subtle pepper, spice, and chocolate. The wine was delicious, but I am not sure this is the perfect pairing for this dish. Experiment with it and let me know what you find out.

RECIPE: Slightly Spicy Tuna Steaks
Servings: 2

Ingredients:
• 2 (7 oz.) tuna steaks
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp. soy sauce
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients except tuna and 1 tbsp olive oil in bowl to make marinade.
2. Marinate tuna for several hours or overnight.
3. Heat a cast iron skillet on high with 1 tbsp of oil.
4. Cook tuna about 2 -3 minutes per side to achieve a nice sear but a rare tuna steak on the inside.

RECIPE: Edamame Salad
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
• 2 cups frozen corn kernels
• 1 lb. shelled frozen edamame
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ¾ tsp salt
• ¾ tsp pepper.

Directions:
1. Thaw corn in refrigerator for a few hours.
2. Cook edamame according to package directions. Once cooked drain and rinse in cold water.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, salt and pepper.
4. Add edamame, corn, red pepper, onion, cilantro and basil to bowl.
5. Stir everything together.
6. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Mushroom and Fennel Tortellini, Apple Gorgonzola Salad and Georis Merlot

Today was not the greatest of days. I locked myself out of the house, ran several unsuccessful errands and experienced poor customer service. My patience was very low. Thankfully, I had planned an easy dinner. I first made this about a month ago and must admit this recipe came together somewhat accidentally. Trying to find other uses for the sherry I had bought to make crab bisque, I had found a simple recipe for mushroom tortellini. I also had bought some fennel that I had forgotten about and needed to be cooked. I decided to slice that and include that in the meal. Immediately I noticed the beautiful aromas from the fennel which intensified when I added the thyme. Before stirring in the tortellini, I sampled the sauce and decided that some smoky bacon would complement the earthy flavors. And it did! However, I think my vegetarian friends can happily leave the bacon out. I haven’t tried it but some shredded smoked mozzarella may add some smokiness for those that want to forego the bacon. As I mentioned this meal is easy. I also enjoy how the flavors personify wintertime without the heaviness that can accompany a hearty meat dish. It’s not the most dazzling meal I have ever made, but a yummy Monday night supper.


WINE: 2005 Georis Merlot, Carmel Valley (Monterey)
http://www.georiswine.com/

Wine was not on the original menu for this evening. However, when driving home from my frustrating day, I decided that needed amended. I knew the fennel, mushroom and thyme in the pasta would pair nice with an earthy wine. I chose the Georis 2006 Merlot as most of the Georis wines fit this bill. This smooth Merlot was more fruit forward than I remembered with touches of spice and chocolate. It was probably not the perfect wine to pair, but I believe it played a big role in my being in a much better mood after dinner. Next time I think I will try a Syrah or perhaps I will stumble upon an earthy wine with anise notes. Hmmm, the 2006 Le Mistral (Syrah, Grenache and Alicante Bouschet) with its berries, herbs, and spice would be another fun one to test.


RECIPE: Mushroom and Fennel Tortellini
Servings: 3
Ingredients:
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil, divided (or more to taste)
• 10 oz to 1 lb. mushrooms, mixed crimini, porcini, mushroom, shitake or any of these by themselves

• 1-2 fennel bulbs
• 4 cloves of minced garlic
• OPTIONAL: 3-4 pieces of bacon
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ cup dry sherry
• 1 lb cheese tortellini
• Fresh parmesan, to taste

Directions:
1. Cut mushrooms in half or fourths depending on size.
2. Thinly slice fennel.
3. Start water to boil for tortellini
4. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms and fennel.
5. Cut bacon and mince garlic.
6. When mushrooms and fennel are almost tender add bacon, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook until bacon is done.
7. Add tortellini to boiling water; cook for about 8 minutes or according to package directions.
8. Add ½ cup sherry to mushrooms, fennel etc. Reduce heat and simmer until tortellini is done, or at least five minutes.
9. Drain tortellini and add to a pan.
10. Drizzle 1 tbsp of olive oil over tortellini and mix with mushroom, fennel etc. Simmer for a couple minutes.
11. Plate and top with grated parmesan.

RECIPE: Apple Gorgonzola Salad

This is my all-time favorite salad, copied from one of my favorite restaurants, DePalma’s in Athens, Georgia. Although the wine did improve my mood, my patience has not been completely restored. I suspect that my readers have all made a salad before. I will trust that you can decide the portions that match your preferences and mix them together in a bowl. Of course if you have any questions about this or anything else, I will happily answer them! Tomorrow.

Ingredients:
• Romaine Lettuce
• Red Onion, Chopped
• Capers
• Granny Smith Apple, chopped or sliced
• Walnuts, chopped
• Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
• OPTIONAL: Cooked Bacon, broken into pieces
• Balsamic Vinaigrette