# [[Fajitas - Veggie]] (Marinade + Finishing Glaze) **Prep Time:** **30 minutes** (+ **45 minutes** marination) **Cook Time:** **20 minutes** **Yield:** 4 servings ## Ingredients - 3 bell peppers (any color), sliced (≈ 450 g) - 1 large red onion, sliced (≈ 250 g) - 8 oz (225 g) cremini mushrooms, sliced - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons (≈ 200 g) --- ### Marinade (Base Flavor Layer): - 2 tbsp (30 ml) avocado oil - 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice 👀 - 1 tsp lime zest 👀 - 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce (or tamari) - 1 tsp (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced (≈ 6 g) - 1½ tsp (4 g) smoked paprika - 1 tsp (2 g) ground cumin - 1 tsp (2 g) chili powder - ½ tsp (3 g) kosher salt - ½ tsp (1 g) sugar (helps caramelization 👀) --- ### Finishing Glaze (Restaurant Trick): - 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable stock or water - 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice 👀 - 1 tsp (5 ml) soy sauce - ½ tsp (2 g) honey or sugar 👀 - ¼ tsp smoked paprika - Pinch of salt --- ### To Serve: - 8 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed - Fresh cilantro, chopped - Crumbled cotija or queso fresco - Sour cream or crema - Guacamole or sliced avocado --- ## Instructions 1. In a large bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients. 2. Add vegetables and toss thoroughly until evenly coated. 3. Cover and marinate for **45 minutes** (ideal sweet spot). Do not exceed **2 hours**. 4. Preheat a large cast iron skillet over high heat until it is **lightly smoking**. 5. Remove vegetables from marinade, letting excess drip off. (Too much liquid = steaming, not searing.) 6. Cook in batches if needed. Add vegetables in a single layer and DO NOT stir for **2–3 minutes** to develop hard char. 7. Stir and continue cooking for another **5–7 minutes** until deeply browned but still slightly crisp. 8. Once vegetables are nearly done, pour in the finishing glaze. 👀 It should sizzle violently. 9. Toss quickly for **30–60 seconds** until the glaze reduces and coats everything. 10. Remove from heat immediately to preserve brightness. 11. Serve hot with warm tortillas and toppings. --- #### Notes - This is the key difference: marinade builds depth, glaze adds brightness + shine at the end. - The sugar in both phases is intentional—it drives caramelization AND balances acidity. - If your pan isn’t ripping hot, stop and fix that first. This recipe depends on it.