Sad news in the IGE household (I mean, not really, don’t panic!) Ben got a new job (hooray!) but is no longer working mere steps away from our favorite Mexican restaurant in town, Monterrey. This is how obsessed I am with the place. My joy for Ben is being slightly overshadowed by the fact that I no longer have an excuse to enjoy the city’s best chips, salsa, guacamole (so garlicky, so good,) and fajitas any time Lincoln and I just “happen to be in the area” during lunch time, which, let’s be real, is all the time.
I mean, Monterrey is now a grand total of 10 minutes out of the way, but sniff! it just seems so far away. What is my life coming to? Speaking of, yesterday I used a pink, $1 store chip clip to pull my hair into a ponytail because I didn’t want to go upstairs to get a ponytail holder. It’s true. Also, am I the only person on earth watching Last Man on Earth on FOX? Ben said his eyes were going to bleed if I made him watch another episode but I’m really digging it! Kristen Schaal is uncomfortably hilarious and I giggle throughout the entire 30 minute episode. Which, how refreshing are 30 minute episodes of TV?
HELLO, Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowls! Because Fridays deserve a festive recipe like this bowl of goodness which combines many of Ben’s and my Monterrey favorites like chips and salsa, guacamole, tostadas (<– Ben’s jam) AND fajitas into one delicious dish.
Blue corn tortilla chips are combined with fresh lettuce, warmed refried beans, seared fajita vegetables, and a mountain of guacamole and salsa, plus a sprinkling of fresh cilantro. It’s crunchy, sizzling, bright, and fresh – these bowls are fantastic and super easy to make at home.
Part fajitas, part tostada, and part salad, these Vegetable Fajita Tostada bowls are f-i-l-l-i-n-g and so flavorful. I don’t know about you but I’ve tried 5+ recipes for fajitas at home and they’re all so…complicated, and honestly taste nothing like my favorite restaurant’s version. My fajita veggies are simple. Sliced green bell peppers and sweet onions are seasoned with garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice then seared until caramelized and lightly charred. Thaz it. So simple, so good. You must try this dish!
I forgot to mention that this meal takes less than 20 minutes to make! All you need to do cooking-wise is sear the fajita vegetables. That’s just sliced green bell peppers and sweet onion seasoned with garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice, then sizzled in vegetable oil until caramelized and lightly charred. You know how you can always hear and more importantly smell fajitas before they get to your table? Prepare to get the restaurant experience at home!
Once the vegetables are seared and cooling, divide fresh lettuce between four bowls.
Next, slightly warm 1/2 cup refried beans. I used vegetarian beans to keep this dish vegetarian, but use whatever you like. This is also a good time to mention that this “recipe” is more of a guideline. If you want to add more beans than I’ve listed (and guacamole and salsa for that matter,) go for it! :)
Next add a handful of blue corn tortilla chips to each bowl along with fresh guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro, and the sizzling fajita vegetables. Grab a fork and dive in!
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Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowls
Description
Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowls are a mix of vegetable fajitas and filling tostadas. Fresh, healthy, and ready in 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil, divided
- 2 green bell peppers, sliced thin
- 1 sweet onion, sliced thin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 lemon
- 5oz mixed greens
- 1/2 cup canned refried beans, slightly warmed
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- blue corn tortilla chips
- chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
- Preheat 2 Tablespoons oil in a large cast iron or heavy bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until just beginning to smoke. Add half the green bell peppers, half the onions, half the garlic powder, and half the cumin, season with salt and pepper, and then squeeze in some fresh lemon juice. Turn heat to high then shake the skillet to get vegetables into an even layer, and then then let sit and sear until browned. Continue to saute, stirring the vegetables every now and again, until tender and caramelized/evenly charred. Remove vegetables to a plate then repeat with remaining 2 Tablespoons oil, vegetables, and seasonings, turning heat down a touch if vegetables begin to burn.
- Divide lettuce between bowls then top with 1/4 of the fajita vegetables, 2 Tablespoons each warmed refried beans, salsa, and guacamole, a handful of blue corn tortilla chips, and lots of fresh chopped cilantro.
Notes
- This is a very loose recipe so if you want to add more refried beans, salsa, or guacamole - go for it!
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I love the simplicity and flavor of this dish! Pinning :)
Well I know what’s for dinner tonight!
This recipe looks delicious! I love fajita bowls!
My sister-in-law was telling me about that show and my brother-in-law felt the same way as Ben. Ironically his name is Ben too. So apparently Ben’s don’t like it. I’m gonna have to make this tostada fajita bowl while my husband is at the fire house, snuggle on the couch and check it out.
Put this in my face IMMEDIATELY. I would eat this for lunch 3-4 days a week and feel no shame about it! Although that might be a lot of bean consumption…
My husband and I LOVE Last Man Standing. It’s hilarious! And his co-workers watch it too and they all say hilarious things to each other the next day, like – Don’t let that bear snatch your picnic basket!
Love Last Man on Earth! I laugh out loud the whole time too. Hubby likes it- but I love it. We have also been into Better call Saul (trying to get our Breaking Bad fix if even ever so slightly), and cannot wait for Mad Men to start. Too bad its ending like every other show I have love this year! Anywoo- Congrats to Ben! And love these bowls!! XO and ps just bought chambord and tequila yesterday. It’s so on!
I’ve never tried making fajitas at home – you’re right, this version looks so easy! And delicious. I have to tell you, I also find Last Man On Earth to be hilarious!
I will 60 minutes from Monterrey so buck up buttercup:)
Perfect timing to post this to have during the games on tonight!
OMG this week’s episode of Last Man on Earth was soo uncomfortable that I had to hide during most of it. I will keep watching but it gave me more secondhand embarrassment than an episode of the Bachelor :o
My husband and I have been watching Last Man on Earth. It’s hilarious.
My husband and I LOVE Last Man on Earth, although after this week’s episode, we’re wondering if they should really continue calling it that! It’s so funny, and Will Forte is perfect for that role–he’s so great playing the uncomfortable/awkward parts.
This looks so yummy! Thanks for another vegan friendly recipe! Pinning now!
We love Last Man on Earth. I think Will Forte and Kristen Schaal are hilarious together!
Looks so yummy! I recently had to give up dairy, so this looks like something I can have that is also satisfying!
Ive never seen blue corn tortilla chips before,
They look crazy!
Yeah, I live 25 minutes from a grocery store, so you lost me in the second paragraph.
I love anything with the word “fajita” in it, so these are totally for me! My husband loves Last Man on Earth, which is saying something because he isn’t in to too many tv shows at all!
The first thing I thought of when I say this post was “that bowl is beautiful!” I had something similar tonight but not nearly as pretty! :)
I’m loving all of the veggies in these bowls! And everything is so much better with guacamole!
Looks delicious
We are LOVING Last Man On Earth!
Also, we love all things Mexican. Lately I’ve just been keeping tostadas on hand for quick dinners. We’ll have to give this a try!
This vegetable Fajita looks like a delicious and healthy stuff I can try out
I swear, there’s nothing better than a good Mexican restaurant…
OMG these look scrumptious! I really, really want to try those fajita vegetables. Thank you for the fab recipe!
I think you’ll like my Mexican quinoa salad, which you can find here: https://cookiesnchem.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/mexican-quinoa-salad-sushi-at-grandmas/. Love to try it with your cilantro rice and some guacamole!
This looks so amazing and so tasty. Pinned for sure, and definitely going to try. Your pics are great ! :-)
I was nervous about making this for husband but he loved it. I did add mushrooms and shredded chicken (I usually have some precooked frozen on hand) which was delicious and it was still quick.
Made this last night!
It was so delicious!!!!!!!!!
Perfect Sunday night – I don’t feel like cooking meal!
I’m with ya on the Last Man on Earth! So funny, but I kinda hate Phil, he’s so mean! But I keep watching cause it’s so silly! And I keep thinking of things that wouldn’t be that way if almost everyone was gone….like the yards aren’t overgrown (yes I know he’s in Tucson, but still, things would be raggedy after a year). And why would you stay in Tucson?? Ugggh, that would be misery with no air conditioning!
Thanks for the filling, healthy and veggie recipe! Happy to see vegetarian recipes on IGE :)
Thanks for the filling, healthy and veggie recipe! Always happy to see vegetarian recipes on IGE – I know they’ll always be delicious and omnivore-approved!
[…] Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowl from Iowa Girl Eats […]
[…] Veggie Fajita Tostada Bowl (recipe from Iowa Girl Eats […]
I don’t usually write but I feel like you should know when one of your recipes becomes a staple in someone else’s home. My husband and I love this meal. It is in the routine of recipes and a great go-to. Healthy, fresh, quick, great flavors! Thanks! (it must be IGE week because last night I made your Farmers Market Skillet – another fave of ours)
That is so great!! Glad you could add a fresh and healthy meal into your weekly rotation. :) Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback!
[…] Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowls (I’ll take a HUGE bowl of these right now, please and thanks, Kristin) […]
[…] Dinner was scrumptious, thanks to Kristin’s Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowls. […]
[…] Sunday: Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowls […]
[…] The Recipe can be found HERE […]
Made these for the first time, and we loved them! Didn’t miss having meat at all! Thanks for a great recipe!
[…] Tuesday | 131 – Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowls– Similar recipe HERE […]
I loved how fresh and flavorful this meal was! It was easy to put together, colorful, and I look forward to having it for work lunches this week.