Episode 3: Fabulous Fajitas and Zesty Vanilla Lemon Sugar [Discussion]

[tokenuser]

Another week and another fantastic episode of Food Mob. This week we've gone Mexican with Niall's famous Chicken Fajitas recipe.

We've also got an amazing tip for those with a sweet tooth. Vanilla Lemon sugar. Try it out and you'll never use plain sugar again.

Watch/Download Here (http://revision3.com/foodmob/chickenfajitas)

[tokenuser]

I need to watch the show later this morning but a quick note from the show notes ...

Coriander is what the rest of the world calls cilantro.

[boldfire]

Good episode, really digging this show a lot!

[vpr]

I need to watch the show later this morning but a quick note from the show notes ...

Coriander is what the rest of the world calls cilantro.

FYI - In other parts of the world it's a tortilla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortilla) not a "wrap".

It is the Mexican meaning of "tortilla" that may be most familiar to North Americans. The corn tortilla (tortilla de maíz), made from specially treated (nixtamalized) maize flour, have been a staple food of the Mexican region since pre-Columbian times; these are also now commonly made from wheat flour (tortilla de harina or tortilla de trigo).

What was used in the show would be a "Flour Tortilla" - the common brand bought in grocery stores is Old El Paso. Side Trivia, El Paso is a city in Texas (I'm Texan) oddly enough :)

In northern Mexico and much of the United States, "tortillas" mean flour tortillas. They are the foundation of Mexican border cooking and a relatively recent import. Their popularity was driven by the low cost of inferior grades of flour provided to border markets and by their ability to keep and ship well.

A "wrap" would be more appropriate word for the final product. A chicken fajitas wrap. Of course, you could debate that it's a burrito, but that's not a topic I want to touch.

Overall, I enjoyed the episode. Perhaps it was done off-camera, but you said turn over the cutting board because of the raw chicken after you put the tomatoes on the board then quickly took them off again. I never saw you flip it, and I watched it twice to be sure I didn't miss it. Was this an oversight, or was this done off-camera?

I'll give that sugar a try - it looks good.

I also noticed the salt he used was called "Dunnes Easy Flow Table Salt" wasn't able to find anything with a google search, but I like the way it pours out. I've never seen anything like that before.

[tokenuser]

FYI - In other parts of the world it's a tortilla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortilla) not a "wrap". Wrap is fairly generic though. Lavash is Mediterranean, pita is middle eastern, Naan is Indian, ... just about every culture has an unleavened flatbread (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatbread) that can be used as a wrap.

The corianader/cilantro thing is confusing until you know they are the same. Part of the problem is that you can buy coriander root (raw) in the vegie section, and coriander seed in the spice aisle, but the leafy part if sold as cilantro.

[maracle]

am i crazy or did he do the salsa on the chicken cutting board and dident cook it after?

[computoman]

I am from Texas too, but prefer to make what you call tortillas (torteeyas aka flat bread) from scratch. We would only buy the stuff in the store as a last resort. Home made is cheaper, tastes better, and you can make them the size you want. We call a tortilla, a piadina though. It is a centuries old Roman staple. I might slip once in a while and say tortilla. Piadini are a filled piadina or what you call a wrap. Agreed, most of the world has a different name for a tortilla. Chicken fajitas (piadini pollo) are awesome!!! Old wives tale says that lemon and chicken is lucky for finding a marriage partner.

[tokenuser]

Just watched the show. Niall said to flip the board over before he did anything.
I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Kitchen hygiene is important - cross contamination can be lethal ... or just give you a bad case of Montezuma's Revenge.

With respect to the salsa, I make an avocado salad that is similar fairly often.
I add a diced avocado to Niall's recipe. I also take out the chili (my wife doesn't like peppers - but I slip a little heat back in with a couple of drops of Garlic Tabasco). I also don't cut out all the flesh from the inside of the tomato - I scoop the seeds out with a teaspoon, but the rest of the flesh has a lot of flavour.

It is a great side dish for grilled steak :)

[chefniall]

am i crazy or did he do the salsa on the chicken cutting board and dident cook it after?

Thanks for pointing that out but rest assured when had a quick change of the chopping board in between filming. I've been a chef for 10 years and that is drilled in to you from day 1 as food hygiene is so vitally important. Good that you guys are keeping me on my toes though :)

Niall

[chefniall]

Hey guys I knew there would be a lot if feedback on the different names for the food this week. It's funny how Mexican food changes all over the world. There are lots if different names for raps and fajitas but the one most important thing is that no matter what they are called is that they taste amazing! It's all about the taste!

[hellslinger12]

And you've managed to do that in three weeks time. Only other show I like more is Diggnation but I've been watching that for years.

I had a friend who is terrible at making food. And I had him watch last weeks episode and he really wanted to try out making the steak and wedges. Wedges were really great, so much that I'm making them for dinner tonight. But the steak really shocked me. This is a guy who overcooked sauce and undercooked spaghetti and this was great, not the best steak but still a major improvement over his usual attempts.

[maracle]

Thanks for pointing that out but rest assured when had a quick change of the chopping board in between filming. I've been a chef for 10 years and that is drilled in to you from day 1 as food hygiene is so vitally important. Good that you guys are keeping me on my toes though :)

Niall

I dident think you would do that but thanks. i love the show neill, haven't made any recipes yet but im looking forward to.

[scottiesng]

Such a good show.

Glad to see kevin and alex pimpin the show on diggnation.

Much love from a Corkonian foodie. Don't know if rev3 understands how many european (specifically Irish) fans they have!!!

Glad to see you got your online show out there eventually Niall, those dragons are gonna regret their decision!!!!

[tokenuser]

Glad to see you got your online show out there eventually Niall, those dragons are gonna regret their decision!!!!<facepalm>

I knew I knew Niall from somewhere ... I saw this on BBC America.

7RRliK-_k98

Finding a unique domain name is a huge problem. I've been down that route.

[scottiesng]

God dammit that looks so good... Wonder if it'd be nice on grapefruit?? Too much maybe?

[chefniall]

And you've managed to do that in three weeks time. Only other show I like more is Diggnation but I've been watching that for years.

I had a friend who is terrible at making food. And I had him watch last weeks episode and he really wanted to try out making the steak and wedges. Wedges were really great, so much that I'm making them for dinner tonight. But the steak really shocked me. This is a guy who overcooked sauce and undercooked spaghetti and this was great, not the best steak but still a major improvement over his usual attempts.

Man reading stuff like this really makes my day and drives me on to make the show even better. We don't make the show so as we can have the fanciest food and try to out do other chefs and in fact the main reason we do the show is so as we can get people like your friend cooking good honest food! We can look at making things more complictaed in the future when people get up to speed but for now simple good food is best :)

[chefniall]

Such a good show.

Glad to see kevin and alex pimpin the show on diggnation.

Much love from a Corkonian foodie. Don't know if rev3 understands how many european (specifically Irish) fans they have!!!

Glad to see you got your online show out there eventually Niall, those dragons are gonna regret their decision!!!!

Yeah I am stunned as well at just how many people are watching Revision 3 in Ireland. I knew it was popular but I thought I knew most techy people in Ireland who would know about it but clearly not!

Glad that you are liking the show :)

Cheers

Niall

[chefniall]

<facepalm>

I knew I knew Niall from somewhere ... I saw this on BBC America.

7RRliK-_k98

Finding a unique domain name is a huge problem. I've been down that route.

Good that you have figured out the Dragons' Den link and didn't know that so many people had seen it over in the USA. Thought the BBC was tiny over there. Was a good experience and if anything I think we were just a little early with our online interactive cooking show and just happy that it has found a great new home here on Revision 3

[chefniall]

God dammit that looks so good... Wonder if it'd be nice on grapefruit?? Too much maybe?

That is the sort of thing that it would work on perfectly! Give it a go and you will not be disapoitned at all!

[wbreim]

am i crazy or did he do the salsa on the chicken cutting board and dident cook it after?

He said in the episode

"flip the chopping board over"
and he did flip his.

[smack300]

"Lime on the floor that doesn't matter"

haha thats awesome.

And I bet the dragons den are going to be sad once they see how big your show gets on Rev3

[nomensteven]

Great episode and great show. Fajitas are always a win in my book and the salsa was quite simple. I would love to see your take on bruschetta as well.

[walinmichi]

I am not a vegetarian, but do like to stuff my meals with plenty of vegetables. Are there other veggies that can be included in the wok? Most recipes tend to rely on onion and bell pepper. Be nice to have a bit more options.

[mrpopular]

Another Solid episode.. they make me hungry.

Here's my steak from last week
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/wantansfool/photo-4.jpg

[tokenuser]

I am not a vegetarian, but do like to stuff my meals with plenty of vegetables. Are there other veggies that can be included in the wok? Most recipes tend to rely on onion and bell pepper. Be nice to have a bit more options.Ummm ... fajitas IS peppers and onions. If you want to move it to being something else try adding:

A can of corn kernels
Sliced zucchini (or other summer squash varieties)
Snow peas
Thin sliced carrots, or celery
Thin sliced/shredded napa cabbage

By the time you've done that, it is no longer a fajita but a chicken stirfry ... and a completely different show (but one Niall should consider).

Quick note: Niall talks about Cajun seasoning. I did a tourist focused cooking class in New Orleans (http://www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com/calendar.html) back in the 90s (my last day in the US, as a "WTF are we going to do before we fly to LA and back to Australia" type filler that was very cool) and got hooked on Joe's Stuff (http://shopping.nosoc.com/browseproducts/21-oz-Joe's-Stuff.HTML). I add it to just about everything that requires a seasoning mix now - especially good in chili, and Bolognese meat sauce for pasta.

[enporter]

Loving the show, as soon as I get moved into my new place next week I am gonna start cooking up some of the awesome food you guys are showing how to make. Can't wait to try out the fajitas. Keep up the good work.

[crystalhawk]

I noticed something in this video.

It seems "and... yer laughin" is a bit of a catchphrase at this point. There is one thing i find a little distracting though. See whenever you say it you glance at the cameramen, so it seems as though you interrupt yourself mid-sentence to note that your crew is laughing their asses off on the other side of the camera at what you've just said. I'm sure I'll stop thinking this as the show goes along, just wanted to point it out, case you'd get a laugh out of it.

Otherwise good episode, I feel like I'm learning a lot watching the show and I like that. it really helps that unlike those shows on TV I can watch this whenever I want, so when I have the time and am in the mood ther it is.

[chefniall]

Another Solid episode.. they make me hungry.

Here's my steak from last week
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/wantansfool/photo-4.jpg

Really good efforrt on the steak! Looks like you have got it nice and pink in the center and I think I can see some garlic and cheese cream potatioes in the background there can I?

Nice work :)

[chefniall]

I noticed something in this video.

It seems "and... yer laughin" is a bit of a catchphrase at this point. There is one thing i find a little distracting though. See whenever you say it you glance at the cameramen, so it seems as though you interrupt yourself mid-sentence to note that your crew is laughing their asses off on the other side of the camera at what you've just said. I'm sure I'll stop thinking this as the show goes along, just wanted to point it out, case you'd get a laugh out of it.

Otherwise good episode, I feel like I'm learning a lot watching the show and I like that. it really helps that unlike those shows on TV I can watch this whenever I want, so when I have the time and am in the mood ther it is.

Cheers for pointing that out! Far from getting annoyed by people pointing stuff out to us we want as many people as possible chiming in with what they would love to see in the show and what format they like best because this show is all about the viewers and thats what'll make it even better!

[tnorm5828]

Do you have any suggestions for people who cannot eat bell peppers? The more raw they are the worse it is for me, so is there any good substitute for bell peppers in any recipe?

[chefniall]

Do you have any suggestions for people who cannot eat bell peppers? The more raw they are the worse it is for me, so is there any good substitute for bell peppers in any recipe?

Yeah you could maybe use something like red onions or even swap in some other vegetables like Zucchini or even sundried tomatoes. Do you like any of those? Also the other thing with red bell peppers is the longer you cook them the better they are going to get so try the one last time when they are real soft and you might be surprised!

Cheers

N

[sivik]

not sure if this is common sense or not, but i just wanted to make sure about the lemon sugar

tea is made in different ways from just hot water and a tea bag, or bowling tea bags and filling a pitcher with it, or making it coffee style, etc etc.

with the "hot/heat" methods, would the heat cause the lemon/vanilla taste go away? I've tried something similar to this recently but the taste was gone. But maybe yours is different since you said to leave it there for a few weeks.

awesome job on the show. I love it. I thought it was funny during the chicken bit where you said "f****** gorgeous" when you were finished and had it plated

[computoman]

Yeah you could maybe use something like red onions or even swap in some other vegetables like Zucchini or even sundried tomatoes. Do you like any of those? Also the other thing with red bell peppers is the longer you cook them the better they are going to get so try the one last time when they are real soft and you might be surprised!

Cheers

N

My mom used to boil bell peppers for about ten minutes and they became so soft. She would fill them with ground hamburger, onions, tomato sauce, and etc. Awesome. Artichokes are anohter one of my favorites. I usually get lazy and get them in a jar in the store.

[bkkkk]

Just wanted to say I love the show and I actually made the steak last time, not my first time making steak but the show really got me craving for it. I was going to take pictures but the steak just disappeared, it was on the plate one second and then poof gone. Very strange, the sweet potato wedges were gone too, most peculiar.

Oh as far as disasters in the kitchen, while I was cutting the sweet potatoes the knife got away from me and sliced a couple of milimeters into my finger. Was bleeding for a while but I kept on cooking, with a band-aid around my finger of course.

[daleclarke]

Great show, but please be careful with hygiene, as you did what a lot of people do, touch chicken then grab utensils and jars (such as spice) and then swap hands and jars!

[ipxzor]

Fantastic show just finnished making the fajitas. In Australia there arn't many mexican restaurants and even fewer good ones. What I made today absolutley kicks the arse of every place I've been to in Melbourne.

On the show:
1) I love the direction the show has gone with the dishes, everything is actually doable for me.
2) More shenanigans/background stuff from Niall and the crew. Diggnation is so special because you feel like you know everyone.

Keep up the good work!

[chefniall]

Just wanted to say I love the show and I actually made the steak last time, not my first time making steak but the show really got me craving for it. I was going to take pictures but the steak just disappeared, it was on the plate one second and then poof gone. Very strange, the sweet potato wedges were gone too, most peculiar.

Oh as far as disasters in the kitchen, while I was cutting the sweet potatoes the knife got away from me and sliced a couple of milimeters into my finger. Was bleeding for a while but I kept on cooking, with a band-aid around my finger of course.

Sounds like you are having a lot of problems with disapearing food! It wouldn't be vanishing in to your big belly by any chance would it!

As for cutting yourself you would want to be careful on the old hygiene there!

N

[chefniall]

Fantastic show just finnished making the fajitas. In Australia there arn't many mexican restaurants and even fewer good ones. What I made today absolutley kicks the arse of every place I've been to in Melbourne.

On the show:
1) I love the direction the show has gone with the dishes, everything is actually doable for me.
2) More shenanigans/background stuff from Niall and the crew. Diggnation is so special because you feel like you know everyone.

Keep up the good work!

Good to know that you are liking the show! We have a lot of fun making it!

I actually spent 6 months in Melbourne working as a chef and love it as a place, great food but you are right, I don't remember any Mexican places!

We are trying to increase the interaction as much as possible in the show and want to get more talking involved with the guys who are off camera, think that really is the key!

Cheers

NIall

[masherscf]

Looks delicious. I was thinking that you might try Roma tomatoes. They have less guts to remove.

[crd90]

http://i43.tinypic.com/2zp2hcm.jpg

Had fun making these!

The only problem I encountered was trying to chop things up finely. Wasn't too bad with the tomatoes, but with the coriander I couldn't get it as fine as I would have liked.

Any chance you could maybe go over the chopping technique?

[sivik]

The only problem I encountered was trying to chop things up finely. Wasn't too bad with the tomatoes, but with the coriander I couldn't get it as fine as I would have liked.

Any chance you could maybe go over the chopping technique?

make sure your blade is sharp, that bit is very vital and even tho its common knowledge, its highly over looked.

newly bought knives are not sharp either, they are sharpened but not sharp.

[masherscf]

I was sort of inspired by this episode. I had some of the same ingredients around so I came up with a variation.

I call them Food Mod Grilled Chicken Quesadillas


Step one.

Instead of cutting up the chicken and marinading it. I marinaded the chicken breasts for a couple of ours in the same ingredients and then grilled them.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4604475661_6e66966cf5.jpg

Step 2 - I cut the breasts up into thin slices.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1168/4605089962_96d39aa081.jpg

Step 3: I put the tortilla on the grill and spread out the chicken the salsa and covered it with cheese.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1387/4604476649_2863ddbe81.jpg

Step 4: I turned it once.


Step 5: Cut into quarters and serve with salsa and sour cream.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/4604477371_1876391278.jpg

[socialdisorder]

I was sort of inspired by this episode. I had some of the same ingredients around so I came up with a variation.

I call them Food Mod Grilled Chicken Quesadillas


Oh man. That looks delicious. I'll give that a shot tomorrow night.

Also...

Food Mod! I love it!

Food Mob Food Mods.

[ai25]

@chefniall I am Mexican by decent and when I saw your salsa I cried a little bit when you added oil :'(
So I wanted to pass you a long a my family's version of "Pico de Gallo" . Not very hard to
make and its only a few ingredients:

-One or Two Fire Roasted Tomato's: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4612765899_ff80eafaa0.jpg
-Some Cilantro: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2648343226_58f61f7ed3.jpg
-Half of one Red Onion: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2790731212_1fd09ab2ba.jpg
-Some Lime Juice : you know how that looks :P
-Salt
-and your choice of Chili peppers
(my family uses Habaneros: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/2983713787_5396afe917.jpg )

Preparing:

-Rinse all your Veggies in water, and lightly dry them with a towel
-Roast the tomato's
you can even Roast the Tomato's on your Stove Top if its a Gas Stove till they are burned (but not turned to charcoal :D )
-Dice the Onion Half, do the same with the Cilantro.
-Cut just a little bit of the Skin of the Chili (no seeds for Habaneros if you cant handle heat, you have been warned)
-Put everything in the Blender and add some lime juice and Salt to taste.
-Blend till its Chunky or how ever you like it should look like this:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2107/2428578630_731acca3f8.jpg the one on bottom left hand corner

Hope this helps some one

P.S plz @chefniall don't use oil in salsas :( its not salad dressing
Thanks for reading this, enjoying the show the Show ;)

I might make a video about making salsa and post it here later on

[xfuuey]

wish me luck people. gonna try & cook the perfect (ya i said perfect) fabulous fajitas tomorrow night for my wife :D
& will of course submit pic to flickr group

[bepeacock]

I need to watch the show later this morning but a quick note from the show notes ...

Coriander is what the rest of the world calls cilantro.

Ha. I was coming on here to share how my experience with the fajita wraps went. I didn't know what coriander was...but I had cilantro and was going to brag about my epiphany to add it. Oh well. LOL

Well here's a look at my fajitas as I poured them in the wok.

http://web3.twitpic.com/img/116521387-0dbbcc47120da12bbbcccdb49e114abb.4c197390-full.jpg

They turned out really well! I was nervous about how much paprika was going in, but it turned out fine. I think next time, I'll add some more spicy...wasn't quite there for my tastes. Plan on making them for a group next time!

[computoman]

I may make some beef fajitas today for the heck of it. just have to run tot he store and get some peppers and onions.

[ariastar]

Coriander versus cilantro, flour tortillas versus wraps.... I didn't realize that the interchangeability of these words wasn't commonly known. I knew that bicarbonate of soda and bakings soda aren't always known. I wonder what some other things are that have different names.

[tokenuser]

Coriander versus cilantro, flour tortillas versus wraps.... I didn't realize that the interchangeability of these words wasn't commonly known. I knew that bicarbonate of soda and bakings soda aren't always known. I wonder what some other things are that have different names.Capsicum vs (red/green/orange) peppers, arugula vs rocket, endive vs radicchio, clementine vs mandarin, poTAYto vs poTAHto, toMAYto vs toMAHto ... by necessity, I needed to learn translations pretty quickly when I moved to the US.

Cuts of steak are an issue as well. Lamb cutlet? Rump steak? For the most part they don't exist because sheep and beef get butchered slightly differently.

[shevaneltaketwo]

Just made this today. Fajitas were really good!!!! However, the salsa was really REALLY bad tasting. The cilantro was wowww!!! Incredibly strong and almost like some sort of cleaning smell. I don't know what happened. I think I might like the cilantro in very very small amounts. This was my first time ever tasting it and it was so overpowering.

Fajitas were so amazing, though!!

[ronaldo]

Just made this today. Fajitas were really good!!!! However, the salsa was really REALLY bad tasting. The cilantro was wowww!!! Incredibly strong and almost like some sort of cleaning smell. I don't know what happened. I think I might like the cilantro in very very small amounts. This was my first time ever tasting it and it was so overpowering.

Fajitas were so amazing, though!!

This may end up being a dupe reply. I think the interwebs ate my last one.

There are people that for them cilantro tastes like soap. You won't like it in any amount. I forget the exact reason why but I have a good friend that experiences this phenomenon.

You can probably find the reason if you google it.

Hope this helps (again).

[shevaneltaketwo]

Oh, that makes me curious to wonder what other people who like it taste. Can I use another substitute?

Haha, I was sure that I did something wrong with the salsa because it tastes so awful. I tried a little bit on the fajita and it still overpowered all the flavors of the fajita. I'm going to try again and see what happens. Thanks!

[shevaneltaketwo]

Nope. Haha, I tried the just tiniest bit inside my fajita, and it overpowered it and tasted like soap. Dammit...I feel like I am missing out.

[ronaldo]

Sorry. The good news is if you ever think a dish needs to taste more soapy you know which herb to buy.

If it makes you feel any better there are many people for whom most food tastes rather bland altogether.

I used to use crystal springs water delivery to my house but after they changed bottles I couldn't stand the taste of the water anymore. It was foul. My wife couldn't taste it. In fact, the only other person I could find that could taste it was my SiL.

[mriegger]

I just wanted to say that a modified version of this recipe has become my favorite meal. Lunch or dinner, I make it maybe 4 or more times a week. Really great stuff.

The modification: instead of store torillas, I use

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebAFCGWIfok

Robert Rodriguez's homemade tortilla recipe. I also skip the sour cream and sometimes use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking up a breast.

BTW, I know some people have suggested alternatives to pepper and onion, but I think it would be cool to watch Niall whip up some variations. Steak especially sounds good.