Lower your blood pressure with sizzling beef fajitas

This Mexican fiesta-on-a-plate consists of strips of marinated steak, peppers and onions presented smoking-hot from the grill. It's a treat for the family, but also ideal party fare, so double or triple the recipe if you're entertaining a crowd.

• Preparation time: 10 minutes.
• Cooking time: 20 minutes.
• Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml (1/4 c) fresh lime juice
• 5 ml (1 tsp) chili powder
• 3 ml (3/4 tsp) oregano
• 3 ml (3/4 tsp) ground coriander
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp) black pepper
• 375 g (12 oz) well-trimmed beef sirloin
• 2 large onions, thickly sliced
• 2 large red peppers, cut lengthwise into flat panels
• 50 g (1/4 c) minced cilantro
• 4 flour tortillas, 18-cm (7-in)
• 1 kg (4 c) shredded romaine lettuce
• 50 ml (1/4 c) fat-free sour cream

Instructions:

1. Combine lime juice, chili powder, oregano, coriander and black pepper in medium bowl.
2. Place beef in a shallow bowl and spoon 30 millilitres (2 tablespoons) of lime mixture on top; turn to coat both sides. Let stand while you broil the vegetables.
3. Preheat broiler. Spray broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place onions and pepper pieces, skin side up, on broiler pan. Broil 10 centimetres (4 inches) from heat until peppers are charred and onions are golden brown, about 10 minutes.
4. Remove, and when cool enough to handle, peel peppers and thickly slice. Add peppers and onions to lime juice mixture in bowl. Add cilantro and toss.
5. Broil beef until done to medium, about 8 minutes, turning it over midway. Let stand 5 minutes before thinly slicing. Broil tortillas until lightly browned, about 15 seconds per side.
6. Place beef, peppers, onions, lettuce, sour cream and flour tortillas in serving containers. Let each person fill their own tortilla.

• The vegetable mixture for these fajitas provides more than twice your daily requirement for vitamin C. This important vitamin works as an antioxidant to fight off a wide range of diseases.
• Olive oil is rich in unique disease-fighting phytochemicals, vitamin E and monounsaturated fat, which all help to clear cholesterol from arteries. Research also suggests that olive oil may manage diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, and various cancers.

Each serving provides:

• Key nutrients: 370 calories, 90 calories from fat, 10 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 36 g protein, 34 g carbohydrates, 6 g fibre, 135 mg sodium.
• Blood pressure nutrients: 184 mg vitamin C, 52 mg magnesium, 935 mg potassium, 88 mg calcium.

• Use two 150 gram (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts in place of the steak. Slice the chicken into 1 centimetre (1/2 inch) strips and sauté in 10 millilitres (2 teaspoons) olive oil until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add chicken in place of the steak in Step 5.
• Use orange or yellow peppers in place of the red ones.
• For a twist, place the meat mixture into large lettuce leaves instead of tortillas.

With this recipe you can lower your blood pressure without sacrificing flavour. Try it today for a filling dish that's sure to impress!