Chipotle Inspried Vegan Fajitas!

Let's be honest who doesn't love a meal where you put things in a tortilla roll it up and eat?! And one of my favorite places to get goodness in a tortilla: Chipotle!  BTW Some Chipotle's are now serving gardein as an option for the vegetarian/vegan community! (check gardein's website to see where you can get it.)

Well a while back I did some serious research (IOW I went to Chipotle about 5 times in a week...)  I was trying to figure out the flavors that I was tasting so that I could recreate the yumminess.  I think I was successful.  Here's what I came up with:

Veggies:

1 Green Bell Pepper, sliced

1/2 Red Onion, sliced

1-2 Portobello Mushroom Caps

Use 1/2 TBSP of vegetable oil per vegetable (you really should saute these separately so they still have a little crunch. (as they all have different cooking times)  While the veggies are cooking, add about 4 shakes of dried oregano.  That’s it. TAH-DAH!!! Fajita Veggies!

Want that delicious Cilantro Lime Rice that they have at Chipotle?  Check it out!

1 tbsp oil (canola/vegetable)

2 tsp fresh cilantro, chopped fine

1/2 lime, juiced

1/4 lemon, juiced

½ tsp salt (kosher or sea salt)

1 cup long grain white rice (or basmati, if you can bear the funky smell)

2 cups water

Sautee the rice in oil until almost translucent (as if you are making a risotto).
Add water, bring to a boil.  As soon as the water begins to boil, turn the heat down low.
Simmer, covered for 15-20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed.
Turn off heat. DON’T PEEK. LEAVE IT COVERED for 30 minutes (this makes the rice super fluffy).  You won’t be happy with yourself if you don’t do this. Be patient. Good things come to those who wait.
Remove lid, let some of the steam out. It may be helpful to transfer rice into a mixing bowl for the next step.
Mix salt and juice of key lime together until salt is dissolved.  Pour it over rice, fluff with a fork.   Sprinkle in cilantro, and toss well to evenly coat with cilantro and lime mixture.

To assemble the fajitas, it  couldn't be easier:

Tortillas (try whole wheat ones and make sure they don't have lard in them!)

Rice

Fajita Veggies

Other toppings you like (lettuce, tomato, fresh onion, Guacamole (see 2 versions here), salsa, etc)

Steam your tortillas... Easiest way: wet 2 paper towels, put one on a plate, then the tortilla(s), then the other paper towel.  Heat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.  If you steam more than 2 tortillas you may want more wet paper towels layered in between them.  This makes them more pliable.  

Add some rice, then the veggies, toppings then roll up and enjoy! :-)

***Side Note:  If you want to add a spicy kick to it, add some cayenne pepper to your veggies OR find a vegan friendly fajita spice mix, coat pieces of gardein chick'n scallopini with the spice mix, slice into strips and cook in a pan on medium heat with a little bit of oil.