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SRC: Chicken Tinga Tacos

January 7, 2013January 5, 2017 Sarah

Whoa, it’s been awhile since I’ve done a recipe post! Since before Christmas, in fact. Between Christmas, and my little sister’s wedding[!!!], and a quick trip to Chicago with my parents and Ben for New Years’… I’ve been busy. And got sick. 😦 But now it’s back to real life… and that means plenty of recipes! To start off the new year, it seems fitting to begin with a dose of the Secret Recipe Club! We took a break in December, but I’m so happy to be back in the swing of things. I absolutely love being part of the SRC. It’s a fun way to try new blogs and recipes and be part of a great community. If you’ve missed my past SRC posts, the premise is this: you’re assigned a different member’s blog every month. You visit their blog, choose any recipe you want, then make it and share it on your blog… all while keeping your assignment a secret! Everyone else posts about their secret blog the same day. It’s fabulously fun to try out new blogs. If you have a blog, definitely check it out and consider joining! I highly recommend it.

This month, my assignment was for Holly’s blog, PheMOMenon. Holly is a mom of three, and uses her blog as an outlet to “conquer [her] world, one recipe at a time.” Sounds like a good thing, if you ask me!! I had a hard time deciding which recipe to choose, because it’s no lie to say that everything I looked at sounded so amazing! If I had my act together and made this recipe in December, before I OD’d on sweets, I probably would have made these crepes or this Sugar Plum Puff Pastry. YUM. Definitely pinned.

Instead of sweets, I decided to make a flavorful, spicy taco dish as our first home-cooked meal of 2013. Holly’s Chicken Tinga Tacos are absolutely incredible, and so super easy. I had never heard of chicken tinga before, but I had a suspicion that it was something legit, so I turned to the powers of Google to learn that it is a traditional Mexican dish of shredded chicken in a tomato and chili chipotle sauce. The source of that knowledge, Muy Bueno Cookbook, is definitely a site to check out too. But back to Holly.

Normally, to make a shredded/marinated chicken dish like this, I would throw these ingredients in the crockpot to marinate and cook all day long. In fact, I’ve made many similar Mexican-inspired shredded chicken recipes that way…and they are good. But sometimes the crockpot leaves everything tasting kinda the same, if you know what I mean. Or is that just me? Regardless, there’s just something to be gained by preparing this meal on the stove.

Instead of all day like a crockpot would take, the whole meal came together in less than an hour, most of which was idle simmer time. The taco meat was smoky, juicy, and pretty much perfect. And while our first-day tacos were super, I must say the leftovers may have been even better, as these flavors got better over time. As a special bonus, I’ll be sharing one of my leftover recipes on Wednesday… so be sure to come back for Mexican Cornbread Pot Pie. It is so good! Enjoy!

Chicken Tinga Tacos

Servings: 6-8
Time: 60 minutes
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from PheMOMenon as appearing on Smart Balance’s blogger recipe contest on Facebook

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chipotle salsa or 2 chipotles in adobo, pureed with a 6 ounce can tomato paste
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts [Holly used thighs]
tortillas
lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, etc. for serving as desired

Directions:

Melt butter in a large skillet or dutch oven set over medium heat. Then add onions and garlic, and season with black pepper before cooking until soft, about 5-6 minutes. Next, reduce heat to low and add salsa and chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add chicken to the pan.

Spoon salsa mixture completely over the chicken, then cover pan with a lid. Simmer, covered, for 35 minutes or until chicken can be easily shredded with a fork.

Shred the chicken in the sauce with two forks, then simmer for another 5 minutes. Serve in warmed tortillas with toppings of your choice.

Be sure to check out the other fabulous recipes posted today [click below] for this week’s SRC reveal. Have a great day!

This recipe is also linked up with: Weekend Potluck.

Main Dishes, Recipes, Sandwiches and Wraps

Mushroom Egg Salad

November 30, 2012November 30, 2012 Sarah

So, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted any recipes for a no-heat lunch and/or a 10 Minute Lunch. Sad day. Lately when I’ve been on campus, I’ve been eating a lot of PB&Js and soup for lunch, usually leftovers that I’ve stashed in the freezer. On the couple days a week that I work from home, my lunches have as of late have consisted of things like a giant bowl of popcorn, smoothies, and cereal. Healthy and complete meals, I know. But such is life. And thesis writing. However, I did recently put a new spin on egg salad… just as a little experiment since I had some mushrooms to use up. I wasn’t sure how the final product would turn out, but it was just so good that I had to share!

While I know that egg salad isn’t going to win any beauty contests, adding some extras to a traditional salad definitely ups the taste value!! My mushroom egg salad includes a savory blend of sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions to add some unexpected heartiness to lunch. Though this egg salad is a bit more involved than most, it is definitely worth it. You can sauté the mushrooms and caramelize the onions while fixing dinner at night, and then throw the rest of the salad together afterwards… leaving you a gourmet lunch ready for the next day! Win win! I seasoned this egg salad with a little fresh and tangy lemon and dill and let me tell you… it was so good. I couldn’t just stop at one sandwich and I bet you won’t either! Hope you enjoy!

Mushroom Egg Salad [adapted from Let’s Eat!]
click to print

Ingredients:

1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
4-5 small baby bella mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
3 hardboiled eggs, chopped
~1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon whole grain dijon mustard
1 teaspoon lemon juice
zest of 1/4 lemon
1/4-1/2 teaspoon dried dill
freshly ground black pepper
bread, spinach/lettuce, tomato for serving

Directions:

In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, season with pepper, and cook, stirring often until onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Then reduce heat to low and cook for 10-12 minutes or until lightly caramelized. Stir occasionally during the process, but for the most part they can be left alone. Remove from skillet when done and place in a medium bowl to cool.

Next, add remaining 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil to skillet set over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until golden, stirring often, about 7-9 minutes. Remove from skillet and place in bowl with onions.

Add eggs to mushrooms and onions, then prepare dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1/4 teaspoon dill.

Pour dressing over egg mixture and toss to coat, then taste and add more dill and/or ground pepper as desired. If more dressing is needed, thin with extra mayonnaise or lemon juice.

Serve on bread with spinach and tomato as garnishes.

Time: 30 minutes.

Yield: 2 sandwiches.

Note: Can easily be doubled, tripled, etc.

Main Dishes, Pork, Recipes

Pork, Apple, and Ginger Stir-Fry

November 14, 2012November 18, 2015 Sarah

So, on Monday, I shared the fabulous recipe I use for Carnitas. It makes more than any couple or family could reasonably eat for one meal, or even for one meal plus leftovers. Seriously, this makes a ton. Thank goodness it’s so tasty!! But you know what I think possibly could be tastier?

If you guessed Pork, Apple, and Ginger Stir-Fry, then you would just so happen to be RIGHT! [Bet you didn’t see that one coming from a mile away, huh?]

I usually shy away from combining various ethnic-type foods in a single dish. Habit, I suppose. But this meal takes a bit of Mexican food [carnitas] and adds in a bit of Asian food/preparation methods to come up with something really special. To add to the culture confusion, the combo of pork and apples is classic Americana [yes?]. Hold that thought. Just googled it… and apparently pork and apples is a classic dish for many of European descent, including the British and the Danes. Who knew?

Regardless of heritage, blending traditional flavors of many cultures in a stir-fry may seem a bit weird, but give it a chance. The sauce alone–sweet, salty, deep–is worth giving this recipe a shot. The way it coats the tender, tender pork and the substantial veggies… oh man! You will want to drink it with a spoon, I tell ya! And just wait til you get a bite with some fresh ginger. Absolutely amazing! Since the ginger is grated, it’s not too intense of an experience, but it does make an ordinary leftover-remake dinner a pretty awesome meal of its own. Enjoy!

Pork, Apple, and Ginger Stir-Fry

Servings: 4
Time: 20 minutes
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adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
6 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 pound cooked shredded pork [leftover Carnitas]
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup onion, diced
4 cups vegetables [I used half carrots and half lima beans]
hot cooked rice, to serve

Directions:

Preheat wok or large skillet set over medium heat.

In a small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, and applesauce. Set sauce aside.

In another bowl, toss together pork and cornstarch. Set aside.

Add oil to wok, then add ginger, garlic, and onion and saute until soft. Then add vegetables and cook until tender. Add pork and sauce and stir to combine. Cook until hot, then serve over rice.

Main Dishes, Pork, Recipes

Carnitas

November 12, 2012November 12, 2015 Sarah

Carnitas, literally “little meats,” is a braised or roasted pork dish that is typically something you’d find on the menu at your local Mexican restaurant. But did you know that you can easily make Carnitas at home in the crock pot? Well, you can! [Duh. Otherwise this post would be a lie. HA! :)] They miiiight not be quite authentic, but they are tasty. Ben even prefers them to the carnitas available at our favorite Mexican restaurant in town.

I’ve been making this recipe for about three years now, and it’s pretty much your easiest crockpot recipe: add ingredients to crockpot, cook, shred, and serve. There aren’t many seasonings [just pepper, oregano, and onion], so it might not sound impressive, but the simplicity allows the natural goodness of the meat to shine through. You know that my meat loving husband adores that!

Every single time I have made this, the results have been a perfect juicy and tender pork. It makes a ton, so after eating our fill of several meals of soft Carnitas tacos, we usually freeze some, enjoy some with rice a la burrito-bowl-style, and experiment with different leftover techniques. Later in the week I’ll be sharing the stirfry of our dreams, but first you need to make this awesome pork so that leftovers are possible. 🙂

For your first go-round, I highly suggest making a good guac and investing in some fresh soft tortillas for the ultimate Carnitas experience. Then you can go hog wild with toppings if you want, but I think that sometimes simple is best so try it that way first. Enjoy!

Carnitas

Servings: lots
Time: 8 hours
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from Good Cheap Eats
Ingredients:

3-4 pound pork shoulder roast
freshly ground black pepper
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup water

Directions:

Place pork roast in crockpot and season with pepper. Cover with onion and oregano, then pour water on top of everything. Cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for 4 [though I haven’t tried that].

Meat should be falling apart, so shred with a fork and serve with soft tortillas and guacamole.

Notes: Freezes well.

Main Dishes, Recipes, Soups

Pumpkin, Kale, & Black Bean Stew

October 29, 2012October 29, 2012 Sarah

I’ve definitely been slacking on the pumpkin front this fall. I’ve made several batches of my favorite pumpkin chocolate chip muffins…. a few breakfasts of pumpkin pie baked oatmeal… and a few other treats that I’ll share about soon. But all in all, I’m not sure what my deal is: I still love pumpkin and still have been using it in recipes, but I just haven’t been blogging about it. How weird!

Well, that’s going to change. This week. Right now, in fact.

A couple weeks ago, I didn’t feel like the dinner I had planned on my weekly menu plan [this happens semi-often…], so I just started pulling things out of the fridge and pantry and put together this quick Pumpkin, Kale, & Black Bean Stew. I wasn’t sure if it would be blog-worthy, but once I took a bite, I was smitten!

This thick stew’s pumpkin base is the perfect canvas for flavorful, healthy black beans, stewed tomatoes, and kale. For non-pumpkin lovers, the pumpkin flavor simply serves as a base for hearty ingredients. But for pumpkin lovers, just a pinch of pumpkin pie spice[!!!] is the secret ingredient to lasting pumpkin love! And boy, do I love pumpkin. This stew comes together in a flash, and is so flavorful that it doesn’t need any typical soup toppings [cheese, sour cream, etc.]. However, to make it a little more indulgent, I stirred in a bit of half and half at the very end. Great decision! And an even better decision on my part [and yours!] would be to make this stew again asap. It is that good. 🙂 Enjoy!!

Pumpkin, Kale, & Black Bean Stew
click to print

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
freshly ground black pepper
3 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups black beans, drained and rinsed
1 [15 ounce] can stewed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 leaves kale, chopped [about 2 loosely packed cups]
1 tablespoon fresh sage, minced
2 tablespoons half and half

Directions:

In a stock pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and season with black pepper. Saute for about 5-6 minutes or until soft and translucent. Next, add chicken broth, pumpkin, black beans, tomatoes, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir until combined, then cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Lastly, add kale and sage, and cook for another minute or two. Stir in half and half and serve immediately.

Time: 30 minutes.

Yield: 4-6 servings.