Margarita Cake

I do not normally go for citrus-y desserts. I am of the mindset that dessert should be chocolate or it is worthless. However, I really liked this cake. The original recipe called for an orange cake mix. I know that I definitely saw orange cake mix at the commissary on one of the end of the aisle displays a couple weeks ago, but of course, they had none in stock when I needed to buy one. So I used a lemon cake mix because I remember seeing in the comments that someone did this and it turned out fine. So, if I do make this again, I will try it with the orange cake mix instead. But for this, I just juiced an orange into the mix to add some orange flavor.

Cake:
1 box lemon cake mix
1 3.4 oz vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
juice of 1/2 orange
1/4 cup tequila

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp tequila
juice of 1/2 lime

Mix all the cake ingredients and beat for about 2 minutes. Bake it at 350 in a greased/floured bundt pan for 45-50 minutes. Drizzle it with the glaze before serving. I didn't take a picture of this but will when I have a leftover slice tomorrow : )

Chicken and Steak Fajitas

This is one of my favorite things to make. The marinade I used for the chicken and steak was almost identical except for one ingredient.

For the chicken marinade, I used:
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp lime juice
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Blend it all up in a food processor or something similar, and then spread it over 2 lbs of chicken cut into fajita strips. I usually marinade it over night and then cook it in a skillet or on the griddle.

For the steak marinade, I used:
2 tbsp olive oil
juice of 1 lime
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup fresh, chopped cilantro

Same process, and I spread it over 1.5 lb of flank steak cut into fajita strips and marinaded over night.

I also chopped up some red, green, and yellow peppers and onions and cooked them in a skillet with some olive oil, cumin, salt and pepper. I love, love, love these fajitas and I am so excited that I have leftovers! I also made some tomalito and will be eating this for dinner for the next 4 nights.

(thanks to Bailey and Lucy for giving me this absolutely beautiful platter!)

Ranch Bean Dip

Tonight I hosted a get together for the ladies in the battalion who are sans-husband. I made fajitas, and we did pot luck for appetizers and desserts (so many yummy dips!). I saw this recipe on pinterest this weekend and thought I'd give it a try since I had all of the ingredients and because it looked really easy.

1 can refried beans
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 pack dry ranch dressing mix

Mix them all up and heat it on medium heat. So good warm but goes down easy cold too. I don't normally like Ranch dressing, but I really loved this! I'll definitely be making it again.