It is stupid of me to call these fajitas since the term fajita refers to grilled beef, but this dish, even in its vegetarian incarnation, is now so much part of the American-Mexican food vernacular that I am continuing blithely on with my version. If you feel strongly about this, call this something else but please do make it. The "fajitas" are very good and are a near perfect Friday night supper - they are very little work other than opening a can and cutting up an avocado, and take no time at all to assemble (which is often pretty much all you want from an end of the week meal).
2-3 tortillas per person, corn or flour as per your preference
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/2 shallot, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1 Tbsp chilis in adobo sauce (this can be found in the International food aisle of most supermarkets and adds a nice smokiness to the beans. Omit it if you can't find it.)
Salt to taste
Toppings of your choice: I used sliced avocado, cilantro, sour cream, onions quickly pickled in red wine vinegar and coriander hot sauce but more traditional toppings are a mix of sliced red peppers and onions that have been fried until tender. Some cotija cheese would have tasted good had I remembered to buy some. Jalapenos would be good too if you are looking for additional heat.
Preheat the oven to 350. Even before it reaches the mark, put your tortillas in the oven to heat and crisp up. Usually i would cook them on the stove in a little olive oil but this is my Friday night version of things.
Place your olive oil, shallot, garlic and spices in a skillet over medium heat. Stir often and cook until the shallot is translucent and cooked through - a couple of minutes, if that. Reduce the heat to low, add the beans and the chilis in adobo (if using), mix well and allow to heat through while you prepare your toppings. Once the beans are warm salt to taste.
As soon as the tortillas are slightly crispy around the edges and the beans are heated through, all that is left for you to do is to spoon some of the black bean mixture onto a tortilla and top with whatever you have chosen to use. Repeat until you are happy and know that it is now the weekend.
As I said, a perfect Friday dinner.
