Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Always Something to Do...and Vegetable Fajitas


I remember when I was 15 or 16 my parents wanted to move to "the country."  We would drive around the country what seemed like every Sunday afternoon, looking at properties while my parents dreamed about their country house with chickens and goats.  I sulked because I thought that if we moved to the country, there would be absolutely nothing to do, none of my friends would come see me, and my parents wouldn't let me as a 16 year old drive "in town" to see my friends.  I was afraid of isolation and boredom.  Now I know that country living would have been just fine.  There is always something to do, even if it is a little different from city living. 

There's also a difference between small city living and big city living.  There was always something to do in Montgomery (despite how much we complained about being bored), some place to explore or some mall to shop.  However, Montgomery could never quite compare with Atlanta, or even Birmingham.  So, now that we're in the northeast, with quite a few big cities at our fingertips, we can never complain about having nothing to do.  We've explored Washington, D.C., spent Thanksgiving in NYC, and this weekend it was time for us to tour a bit closer to home in Center City, Philadelphia. 

Now, we've walked through parts of Center City before, but it has been a while.  And while I have explored parts of Old City, my husband has not.  With pretty weather, and a bit of a break in studying, we decided it was time.  We started at City Hall and made our way down Market Street toward the Delaware, ending up at Penn's Landing.  We were not able to explore everything in Old City, but then again, there will always be something to do.

The Largest Organ in the World is located in Macy's

Macy's Annual Flower Show


Reading Terminal Market:
A hodgepodge of anything you might want or need.

Philadelphia is full of History: City Hall, The Liberty Bell, Christ Church

All in all, we had a great time.  You might think that I would be making cheesesteaks tonight in honor of our Philadelphia outing, but I'll leave the cheesesteaks to the professionals.  Instead, I'm going to pay homage to the ethnic diversity and availability of fresh produce in Reading Market. 


Vegetable Fajitas

2 bell peppers, sliced into thin strips
2 portobello mushrooms, or 8 oz white mushrooms, sliced
1 onion, halved and sliced
1 can black beans, drained
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
3 tablespoons lime juice
3 tablespoons tequila, beer, or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Olive oil, for skillet
Four 8-inch tortillas
Sour cream, for serving

Mix together the first 14 ingredients in a small bowl.  Cover and let sit for 1 hour (up to 4 hours).

Set the oven to the lowest possible setting.  Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place in the oven to warm. 

Heat a large skillet over high heat.  Add olive oil and turn to coat the pan.  When the pan is hot, add the vegetables with their marinade.  Cook for 8 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant and there is very little liquid in the skillet.  Serve with the warm tortillas, salsa and sour cream. 

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13 comments :

Simply Life said...

gorgeous pictures and great looking fajitas!

Sprad-Rad said...

There is no doubt in my mind that you used tequila or beer! :) Jared loves Philly, and I can't wait to come up there and explore it with ya'll!

Sarah @ Mum In Bloom said...

Visiting from the Foodie Blogroll. Your pictures are really beautiful. I had no idea the world's largest organ is at Macy's. My mother-in-law used to have a pipe organ in her home. Philly and those fajita's look great. I've only drivin through before, next time we'll have to stay a couple days and explore those great sites.

gluten free pammy said...

your pictures are amazing come by my blog and grab my button and please check out my new cookbook

Anonymous said...

Peggy and I saw the flower show in NYC Macy's in 2001. I want to come see you next year.
Aunt Dianne

DessertForTwo said...

These fajitas look amazing! Thanks for the recipe!

Kitchen Butterfly said...

That Tomato Salsa rocks. Welcome to the foodie blogroll. The fajitas too look dleish!

Abby said...

I'd love to live in the country, and I think it would be a great experience for my kid(s)!

Got here from the blog roll. Welcome! Fajitas are one of my faves; I love them with shrimp.

Velva said...

The vegetable fajitas looked fresh, healthy and delicious. Very nice.
I could not resist smiling at telling how your parents would drive you through the country with hopes of owning some land and raising goats and chickens. We have done that to our kids since they were little. We have yet to get to the country ourselves.
Thanks for sharing.

grace said...

what stunning images, and for once, i'm not just talking about the food! :)
however, i am what i am and i can't NOT talk about your awesome fajitas--excellent use of that fresh produce!

Chandra said...

Your photos are beautiful, as always. We LOVE Reading Terminal Market (spent Christmas Eve there with the kids last year) and there's a great lights show in the Wanamaker building. So fun!

Devan @ Accustomed Chaos said...

That looks SO YUMMY!!!!! Your photos are gorgeous!

Stopping in from SITS

Devan @ Accustomed Chaos
http://accustomedchaos.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Lovely blog! This post reminds me of when I lived in New Jersey back in elementary school and we'd visit the historical sights in Philadlephia.