Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Oh, hi.  Its been a while, yes?  I could list excuses, but I won't.  But I promise, they're all good ones!  In fact, this recipe is a good one too.  So good I had to pop in and post it! 

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Here's what I used:

4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup good salsa (I used Jack's "Garden Fresh Gourmet" Special Salsa in Medium)
1 cup water + 3 cubes bullion (OR) 1 cup Chicken Stock
1 green bell pepper, rough chopped
1 large onion, rough chopped
1/2 lb cherry/plum tomatoes, stewed (instructions below)
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Tony Chacheries (or other cajun seasoning)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp cumin

For Plating: white rice, shredded mexican cheese blend and lite sour cream. 

Here's what I did:

Prepare the tomatoes by adding them to boiling water.  Allow water to return to a boil, and then remove from heat.  Gently peel away skin from the tomatoes, and set aside.

In the crockpot, add all ingredients, and cook on high for 5-6 hours, or low for 8-9 hours.

As a final step, remove chicken and chop into 1" slices, cubes, or shred with two forks, if desired.

We served this with white rice, and several typical "mexican" toppings or fixings.  Feel free to add what your group would enjoy.  Fresh chopped cilantro and jalapeno's would be a really nice addition.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce & Corn and Black Bean Salsa

I must again give credit to someone else for a recipe.  As a final hurrah while my little sister was in town, my brother and sister in law had us all over to their house for pork tacos.  I had heard much about them, and while optimistic - had never actually had pork tacos.  Let me say right now, I am now a believer, and not an italicizer.  I can say with certainty that I would make these again, and again, and again.  And yes, I had FOUR of these puppies that night.  At the time I said I would repent by skipping dessert.  But by the time dessert came, I had that too.  We were celebrating though, so its ok, right??

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos

Here's what they used:

1 4lb pork roast
1 cup medium salsa
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup 7-Up

Here's what they did:

Put roast in crock pot. Mix other ingredients together and pour over roast. Cook on low for 8 hours. Shred when done.

Yea, that's it.  Hahaha.  So easy its funny.

This was served buffet, or "make your own", with the following choices:

Pan-Warmed Corn Tortillas (we used a cast iron skillet, but a non-stick skillet will also work.  Keep them warm between the folds of a clean dishtowel until serving)
Corn and Black Bean Salsa (recipe to follow)
Grated Cheddar/Monterey Jack Cheese Blend
Green Onions
Shredded Romaine Lettuce
Cilantro Lime Sauce (recipe to follow)

Cilantro Lime Sauce

This may have been my favorite part of this recipe.  Tangy, zippy, perfectly topped each little dainty taco.  I think I have had dreams about this in the 2 days since we had it...

Here's what they used:

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
3/4 cup mayo
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 bunch cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp salsa verde (green salsa)
1 lime, zest and juice
**add 1/2 of a fresh jalapeno for HEAT
Here's what they did:

Add dressing ingredients in blender and mix well. Make ahead and chill for several hours.

Are you seeing a theme here?  EASY.  And delicious.

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

While we added this to our tacos, it is also delish with chips, or just warm corn tortillas, scooping up portions as an appetizer.

Here's what they used:

1 (15 ounce) can yellow corn, drained
1 (15 ounce) can white corn, drained
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained
1 bunch finely chopped cilantro
5 green onions, finely sliced
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/4 cup lime juice
1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
2 tbsp olive oil, or to taste

Here's what they did:

Stir the yellow and white corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, green onion, red onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a large bowl. Gently mix in the lime juice and avocado. Drizzle with olive oil to serve. I would also add S&P to taste, and adjust flavors to your liking.

So the theme of that meal was not only DELISH but EASY.  Easy, easy, easy.  Enjoy!!