Fajita chilaquiles casserole are feel-good favorites. I make cozy meals for myself or for my family at the end of especially long days, on nights when I feel a cold coming on, or when we are in need of a little cheering up at your house.

SERVES 4

Ingredients:

8 (6-inch) flour tortillas, cut into 1-inch-wide strips

Cooking spray

1 tablespoon onion powder, a palmful

1 tablespoon garlic powder, a palmful

1 tablespoon ground cumin, a palmful

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/3 palmful

1 tablespoon chili powder, a palmful

1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/3 palmful

1½ pounds sirloin steak or boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless pork chops, thinly sliced Salt and pepper

4 tablespoons high-temp cooking oil, such as safflower or peanut or vegetable

1 bottle Mexican beer

2 red bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

2 red onions, thinly sliced

3 to 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley leaves

2 limes

2 cups shredded pepper Jack cheese

Sour cream, for garnish

Salsa, store-bought or homemade

Method:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

On a rimmed baking sheet, arrange the tortilla strips in a single layer and spray with cooking spray to coat. Bake until crispy, 7 to 8 minutes. When you remove the tortilla strips, turn on the broiler and place a rack in the middle of the oven.

In a small bowl, combine the onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon, chili powder, and oregano. Season the meat with salt and pepper, then toss with the spice rub to coat evenly.

Place a large skillet over high heat with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the meat to the pan and sear, caramelizing the meat a few minutes on each side. Add the beer to the pan and cook to reduce, 2 minutes.

While the meat is cooking, place a second large skillet over high heat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the bell peppers, onions, and garlic to the pan, and cook until the vegetables are brown around the edges and tender, 3 to 4 minutes.

Add the chopped cilantro or parsley, the juice of 1 lime, and salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Remove from the heat.

Combine the meat, peppers and onions, and toasted tortilla strips together into a casserole dish. Top with the cheese and place under the broiler to melt the cheese, about 3 minutes.

Garnish with the juice of the remaining lime, sour cream, and salsa.