Beef and Avocado Fajitas

We had company for dinner this weekend, and the preparation was a nightmare for various reasons but mostly because of indecision. One result of our indecision was a flank steak sitting unloved in the refrigerator. With Ash Wednesday tomorrow and the start of Lent and meatless Fridays, I needed to use it and some of the other leftovers in the fridge. I found this recipe for Beef and Avocado Fajitas. The recipe was simple and allowed me to use some leftover tortilla shells and queso fresco. The preparation was super easy - chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper on the steak and cooked in a cast-iron skillet (I don't have a grill pan) for 10ish minutes until medium-rare. I had some guacamole from Whole Foods that I used instead of avocados, and we improvised the rest of the so-called fajitas with purchased tomatillo salsa, Old El Paso refried beans (which were really good!), queso fresco (which didn't add much to the taste) and shredded Romaine. I didn't bother with the cilantro the recipe recommended. The meat was spicy but very tender, and the guacamole was a great contrast in flavor.

I love recipes like this one. It's simple and adaptable to whatever you have on hand and whatever you're in the mood for. For me, that always means cheese. My teenager spread his taco wings beyond tortilla and meat to include refried beans and tomatillo. As for my husband, he pronounced that he never wants to have plain tacos again (until I make plain tacos, I'm sure).  If I had time and/or inclination, I would have made my own tomatillo salsa and refried beans, but I'm not sure it would make a big enough difference for the effort it would take. For a Monday dinner, it was perfect the way it was.

Bonus! For Fat Tuesday lunch, the leftover meat was delicious on Italian bread with melted provolone, Romaine, and mayo (I wish I had some tomatoes) for a Cheesesteak-kind of sandwich. The spice on the meat made me think I never wanted to have another plain cheesesteak again.

Emerald City and Other Stories, Jennifer Egan

A few years ago at George Mason University's Fall for the Book Festival I heard Jennifer Egan read an excerpt from the new novel she was working on. I was enthralled by the quirky characters and well-told tale and anxiously awaited her book. This is not it (that's A Visit From the Goon Squad which I hope to read in the next few weeks), but that's okay because this collection of short stories is fantastic. The first story, "Why China?" is about a well-to-do family on vacation in China who encounters a man who had swindled $25,000 from them a few years earlier. As I began the story, I was wary. What did I know about people like this and why should I care about them or what they do? Like a good storyteller, Egan shows you why. Story after story, Egan introduces disparate characters and situations that are real, recognizable, and resonant. Some people love short stories, love how you can read an entire story start to finish in under an hour in many cases. I don't. I like to immerse myself in a novel and live with it for awhile. What I like most, though, are stories that move me and stick with me. Emerald City and Other Stories did just that.

Invictus

I was under the mistaken impression that this was a Matt Damon movie about soccer. It's not. It's a Morgan Freeman movie about Nelson Mandela and how rugby (and Captain Matt Damon) brings South Africa together as a nation. I should have realized that from one look at the movie poster and the trailer, which I just watched. I don't even remember seeing the trailer when the movie came out. This movie did not penetrate my consciousness at all. Was the problem with me? In fact, the only real notice I took of it was at awards season last year, and it took me this long to get around to finally watching it. I did start the movie with an open mind though, ready to be pleasantly surprised.

Plot summary: The movie begins as Mandela is elected to the presidency of a badly divided South Africa. Mandela recognizes that rugby can be the thing that brings blacks and whites together. He's right! Roll credits.

Invictus is okay. It's Saint Nelson stretching out his arms and pulling the country into one big group hug - or high five - over a successful World Cup run. Freeman is good as Mandela and Damon is okay as the captain of the rugby team, but the movie is too long. It's interesting and there are some good moments, but it's predictable and not particularly moving. Like I said: it's okay. Catch it on cable if there's nothing else on.

Linguine with Pancetta and Sauteed Cherry Tomatoes

 Our go-to meal on busy weeknights is pasta with sauce (either Safeway Select or Classico) from a jar. It's fast and filling and satisfying. It's also so predictable. I had pancetta left over in the refrigerator from the Pasta and Lentils, Sicilian Style so I searched Epicurious for something quick and easy using ingredients I already had in the house. The ingredients - linguine, olive oil, garlic, pancetta or bacon, red pepper flakes, cherry tomatoes, grated cheese, and fresh basil - are pantry staples and summer garden bounty. It was good in February, but my mouth waters thinking of how it will taste this summer prepared with just-picked tomatoes and basil. I would not use canned tomatoes or dried basil for this recipe. There are so few ingredients that the ones you do use should be as fresh as possible.

Winter or summer, it can't be simpler to make. In the time the linguine cooks the sauce can be prepared. You heat the olive oil, sauté the garlic, add the pancetta and red pepper and cook until the pancetta is crisp, add the tomatoes and cook until soft (maybe 4ish minutes), and then add chopped basil and shredded Parmesan (please, please, please use only fresh), and salt and pepper to taste. It's oh-so-simple but good. I didn't love it (my husband did) but I loved how easy it was to make and that makes it a keeper in my book.

Pasta and Lentils, Sicilian Style

I love lentils. I love pasta. Who doesn't crave comfort food? Healthy comfort food is even better. Pasta and Lentils, Sicilian Style fits the bill exactly. This recipe is from The Washington Post Food section last December (there's a nice picture there too which I realized I probably shouldn't be copying without permission). The only meat in it is two tablespoons of pancetta so it could easily be omitted for a vegetarian meal. It's basically a lentil stew (onion, carrot, tomato puree) with broken pieces of thick spaghetti in it. Definitely drizzle it with olive oil and serve with grated Pecorino as recommended. I served this with a small green salad to start, some good Italian bread (homemade!), and a nice Italian red wine for a hearty, filling meal.

Full disclosure: I have not actually made this. My dear husband has made this several times, and it's been delicious each time. There's not a lot of "cooking" required, merely following easy steps. If you open the red wine while you're cooking, it's even easier!