Drug Stores and Garlic Fajitas

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone!

I was in the drug store this morning picking up a prescription. Nothing serious, thanks for asking...

The pharmacy is located way in the back of the store so I had to wind my way through a couple of aisles to get to the pick up counter.

What is it about drug stores these days? All the stuff a drug store should carry is located in the back of the store. Cold tablets, cough medicine, anti-gas pills (not that I need that), band aids, ointment, vitamins, ace bandages and of course, the pharmacy.

In the front, middle and sides of the store all manner of other merchandise can be found. Since when did drug stores start carrying motor oil? Or toys? Toys? Yes, two entire aisles filled with toys; swim toys, dolls, stuffed animals, huh? Isn't that what Toys R Us is for?

A refrigerated case took up an entire side aisle. It contained milk, eggs, butter, cream cheese, sour cream, lunch meat and cheese. Opposite the refrigerated case were shelves with bread, ketchup, mustard, cake mixes, spam, beans and cans of vegetables, to mention just a few products. Is this where people now go instead of the grocery store?

I understand the hair dye, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, deodorant, cologne, makeup and magazines. I do, I get toiletries (and in my house a magazine is considered a toiletry.. ahem).

But my biggest surprise came when the last aisle I needed to circumvent to get to the pharmacy was blocked by a big display rack with, wait for it...

Shoes. Yes, shoes.

So now you can get your RX, cure your cold, dye your hair, freshen your makeup, smell good, buy lunch, stock your pantry, catch up on the latest rompings of Kate Gosselin and Lindsay Lohan AND buy yourself a pair of shoes.

Wow. I guess that's where they get the term "convenience store".

Oh, and I LOVE my new shoes.

And the two pair I bought for my grand daughters.

Garlic Fajitas: feeds 4

1 bulb garlic, top sliced off
1 Pound Skirt Steak (preferably grass fed)
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 sweet yellow onion, sliced
1 avocado, sliced
1 package flour tortillas
2 limes, juiced
Olive oil
Kosher Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cilantro, chopped
Sour Cream or Greek style yogurt for serving (optional)
Salsa for serving (optional)


Roast the Garlic by preheating oven to 350 degrees F. Slice off the top 1/4 inch of the garlic bulb. Set the bulb on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil and top with a pinch of salt. Bunch up the foil to create a "flower" top and place in oven for one hour. Remove from oven, unwrap and allow to cool. Can be done one or several days in advance. Store in refrigerator if not using right away.

When the garlic bulb is cooled, squeeze out the soft cloves and mash on a cutting board using the flat edge of your knife.

Place meat in a plastic bag, add garlic and a few good drizzles of olive oil, the juice of one lime and a generous pinch of salt and a few grinds of fresh pepper. Using the outside of the bag, massage the oil and garlic and seasonings into the meat. Refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a bowl toss the peppers and onion slices with a few drizzles of olive oil. Place on a rimmed cookie sheet and sprinkle with a little salt. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, turning half way through. When done, remove to platter. Set aside.

Slice the avocado and sprinkle with lime juice, arrange on the platter with the vegetables. Set aside.

Wrap the tortillas in some foil, place in the oven to warm while you prepare the meat.

Preheat grill or grill pan. Grill meat for 3-5 minutes per side, depending on your preference. 3 minutes for rare, 4 for medium, etc..

When meat is done, tent and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and slice on the diagonal. Place on the platter with the roasted vegetables, and sliced avocado. Pass the tortillas for wrapping. Pass sour cream on the side.

A Cook's Notes: I am serving the fajitas this evening with black beans and yellow rice on the side. And of course a Margarita. And I will be wearing my new shoes.

A word about the shoes: My shoes are called Aspire by okabashi (okabashi.com) - they are made in the USA, supportive, dishwasher safe, anti-microbial and endorsed by The American Chiropractic Association. But the best part? They are really comfortable and were a bargain at $14.99.

Legal Stuff: I am not an employee of Okabashi nor have I been paid for a review of their shoes. I just went to the drug store this morning, bought them and have been wearing them all day.