When it comes to preparing mouth watering ingredients for fajitas and quesadillas, the fajita skillet is a must. Perfect for stir frying meats and vegetables for use in various types of Mexican dishes, the fajita skillet is easy to use. Here are some facts about the fajita skillet, how it is constructed, and ways to use the fajita skillet to prepare all sorts of tasty dishes.
Like most skillets, the fajita skillet features a construction that employs a flat cooking surface that is surrounded by short walls. It is not unusual for the fajita pan to have an oblong design, with the walls ranging from a quarter inch to around one inch in height. Typically, fajita skillets are made from sturdy cast iron and are usually seasoned before they are ever used. More recently, fajita skillets made of stainless steel and coated with a stick resistant coat on the cooking surface have been introduced. At present, the cast iron types still are preferred by most restaurants as well as persons who love to prepare fajita meals at home.
The purpose of the fajita skillet is to sear meats and vegetables. Generally, strips of meat that are meant for use in fajitas are marinated overnight in various ingredients, so they are infused with flavor. The meat and a small amount of the marinade are placed into the fajita skillet and allowed to slowly cook through, searing the meat slightly so that there is a texture to the meat. In some cases, persons who like to include some seared vegetables with the meat will add strips of onion and peppers shortly before the meat is finished. This allows the vegetables to absorb some of the taste of the spices and the meat as they cook, while still retaining a slight amount of crunchiness.
Aside from using a fajita skillet for fajitas or quesadillas, many people find the weight and dimensions of the skillet are ideal for other purposes as well. For example, a fajita skillet works very well when searing vegetables like sections of squash, zucchini, or even selections of green leafy vegetables such as collards or kale. Searing thin sections of fish, roast beef, or chicken is also easy with a fajita skillet. Sautéing vegetables in a light sauce is also another use for the skillet, as well as making a light gravy from meat drippings. Like many kitchen utensils, the fajita skillet can easily perform several different tasks, as well as the job it was designed to perform.