August 18th is National Fajita Day and the delicious dish has come a long way since its invention. Fajitas are thought to be invented in the early 1930s by Mexican cowboys in Texas, who received throwaway cuts of beef as part of their payment for their job. As a result of this, they learned how to cook and season these cuts of beef, usually over an open fire or grill. They were then served with whatever fresh ingredients they could find, which were often tortillas, guacamole, sometimes peppers and onions and southwestern spices. These meals became a staple of Tex-Mex culture, and by the late 1960s fajitas were being sold by food establishments up and down the country.

The Art of the Tortilla

The tortilla wrap is perhaps the unsung hero of the Fajita. Whether you prefer flour or corn tortillas, the wrap holds the Fajita together and makes or breaks the delicious dish. Making tortillas from scratch is easier than you think, and elevates your Fajitas from good to great. From tortilla presses to skillets, here at Cooksmill, we have everything you need to prep and cook a memorable tortilla.

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add the vegetable oil and stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add the warm water, stirring until the dough comes together.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
5. Grease a large bowl with vegetable oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat all sides with oil.
6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
7. After the dough has rested, divide it into 12 equal pieces.
8. Place the dough into the Tortilla Press and press down gently.
9. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
10. Cook each tortilla for 1-2 minutes per side, or until lightly browned.
11. Serve warm with your favourite fillings.

Show Stopping Sizzlers

Cast iron sizzlers are the best way to bring sizzling hot dishes straight to the table, and in the case of Fajitas, the best way to serve customers is with sizzling meat and veg. There’s nothing more appetising than hearing your meal sizzling on its way to the table, catching the eye of everyone in the restaurant before your customer tucks into their fajitas. Here at Cooksmill, we have a wide selection of sizzlers that are incredibly versatile and helps takes your fajitas to the next level. A vast majority of our sizzlers come with a wooden base, that keeps the table safe from the hot metal. The Rounded Rectangular Sizzler and Base is perfect for serving perfectly grilled meat and veggies and can be used to serve more than one person, which is great for busy restaurants where fajitas are a popular choice.

Fiery Fajitas

Today, there are several different types of Fajitas you can make, including veggie options! To celebrate Fajita Day, we’ve put together a recipe for the traditional beef Fajita that can be made with or without your own homemade tortilla wraps. The beef can be swapped out for chicken breast, shrimp, vegetables, or even grilled tofu. Additionally, spices can also be added to level up the spice of your Fajitas to make them truly spicy. Experimentation is half the fun when it comes to Fajitas!

Ingredients:

• 1 pack of steak (sirloin, flank or skirt), precut or cut by you into thin slices
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
• 1 onion, sliced into strips
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 8 flour tortillas (homemade or store-bought)

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the beef, chilli powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the bell peppers and onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly charred, about 5 minutes more.
4. Remove the beef and vegetables from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before assembling the fajitas.
5. Warm the tortillas according to the package directions.
6. To assemble each fajita, spread a tortilla with some of the cooked beef and vegetables. Top with your favourite toppings, such as salsa, sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, or jalapenos.
7. Fold the tortillas in half and enjoy!

Serving Perfectly Spiced Fajitas

So you’ve cooked your Fajitas to perfection, and now you’re struggling with ways to best serve the dish. Like most Tex-Mex dishes, fajitas are best when served in a buffet, self-serve style, similar to Tapas. We sell several types of Tapas dishes that would make a great serving option for the toppings. For example, the Terracotta Green Tapas Dish would be perfect for holding guacamole. The Rustico Carbon Round Tapas Dish is a great option for serving salsa or holding the meat filling. Our rustic-to-oven tabletop tapas dishes are perfect for serving smaller toppings that are best served hot, as this range can withstand high temperatures.

Fajitas are a dish that can be enjoyed any time of the year, thanks to their hearty fillings and warming spices. Cooksmill stocks a wide range of prep, cooking and serving items that make it easy to serve up high-quality and tasty Fajitas, whether this be at home or for your customers. Our selection helps you to enjoy these iconic Tex-Mex dishes, and enjoy them the way they were intended to be eaten.