White Fish Tacos

Oh my goodness. This recipe is so fresh and so delicious. I love making fish tacos because they come together relatively quickly and never disappoint. I'm pretty sure these tacos came together in less than 15 minutes total. The fish is quickly seasoned and pan fried and then it's topped with a crunchy light coleslaw and a drizzle of tangy sauce. 

Depending on how much filling you put in the shell you can get roughly 6-7 tacos. For reference my husband and I each ate 3 and were plenty full with no side dishes. 

Avocado Salsa

One thing I miss about living a little further south is El Pollo Loco. Everything I got at that restaurant was delicious (although slightly over priced in my humble opinion). My favorite thing to order was their Chicken Taco Al' Carbon and I would drench it in this amazing avocado salsa.
So being that we no longer live by an El Pollo Loco I had to go in search of a copycat recipe. 
This recipe is PRETTY DARN CLOSE to El Pollo Loco's Original avocado salsa. I say original because they changed the recipe for theirs a few years ago (per the update below). I don't know if they changed it back but this is our favorite homemade version.
We like ours a bit more thick then how they have theirs but aside from thickness, everything else is pretty spot on.
This recipe is a great alternative to salsa's that use a tomato base for those who can't have tomatoes or who are just looking for something different. We like to make a double batch and keep it in the fridge for a few days to eat with chips and quesadillas.

**UPDATE** I have recently been noticing that the kind at El Pollo Loco is spicier then it used to be and read a sign somewhere that they don't use the jalapeno anymore to make this but they use a habanero pepper instead. So I guess if you like the extra heat you can change the type of pepper in this recipe but I prefer the taste of the original salsa better.

Spanish Rice

In this house we actually call this Orange rice because as you can see it is bright orange, but I will call is Spanish rice as this is what I make to go along with all of our Mexican themed meals. Is this true Spanish rice? No idea...but does it taste good...YES! So call it what you may, just make it.
I feel like when I make any kind of Mexican dish I need to have rice and beans with it. I don't know if that's just because it's been ingrained in me because every Mexican restaurant serves rice and beans with all of it's meals or because it's traditional to do so. Either way, I like the combination of it all together, so I always do it.
This recipe is super simple and doesn't require any prep-work other then putting everything in the pot and letting it do it's thing.
The two seasonings I use in this recipe I have been asked quite a few times what they are and where to buy them.
First, the Sazon Goya seasoning. I like to use either this one or this one. Either work just fine and taste pretty similar. As you can see one has chicken on it and one has fish on it. So I use one or the other depending on what I am serving it with. You can buy these through Amazon, or I am always able to find them at local Mexican markets.
The second seasoning is Knorr Tomato Bouillon. I use this in quite a few of my Mexican themed dishes. This can be purchased through Amazon or I often am able to find it in most grocery stores down the Mexican food isle next to the chicken bouillon.

Chicken and Lentil Soup

It has really begun getting colder here lately and I for one have not been ready for it. I hate being cold, so when I have been planning my meals all I can think of is soup. What is it about soup that just warms the body so well!?
This has become one of my families favorite soups over the years. I think one of the reasons we like it so much is because it has more of the Spanish flavors that we like. I also love the fact that it is jammed with delicious lentils. I love lentils. Especially in soup. You won't regret trying out this soup recipe because it's got amazing flavor and is packed with protein.

Creamy Cilantro Dressing

I can't believe that in my many rantings and ravings about me missing and loving my precious El Pollo Loco that I forgot to post this very very delicious recipe I found online for their creamy cilantro dressing. I'll tell you what...I could order their little itty bitty Loco Salads every single day  and never EVER get tired of it. Anyway, this recipe isn't EXACT,but it tastes pretty darn good regardless.
If anybody does happen to have the EXACT recipe they use and want to share it with me....I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER! BUT--until then, this is close enough!

Tilapia Tacos

Okay after taking pictures I realized that I had a LOT of tomatoes in this shot, but I promise there is good fish in there as well!!
We don't eat fish enough at our house, but when we do I like to make sure that I make it in a variety of ways. My kids aren't the biggest eaters of fish (although my oldest LOVES salmon), so when I am cooking fish I tend to try to hide it with lot's of flavor so they don't realize they are eating fish. Thus, the taco. I love fish tacos and I love that there are so many different ways of making fish tacos!
This recipe is great for those who are watching their weight and looking for a non deep fried piece of fish. It's so full of flavor and takes 15 minutes to make!
One of the reasons we don't eat a lot of fish is because it's so darn expensive! Healthy, yes...but expensive! When I'm trying to add some fish in, but not break the bank I always resort to using Tilapia! It's affordable and can be eaten in so many different ways.
So if you are looking for a cheaper way to incorporate fish into your diet, this is your recipe!

Carne Asada Fries

GUYS!!!! Oh man. I had this baby last night and had to jump on today to share it with you. The marinade on this steak is amazing and paired with the guac and fries just takes it over the edge.
One thing I have decided lately is that everything is better served on top of fries. We went to a little mom and pop sandwich place a couple weeks ago and they suggested that we try the fillings on top of fries instead of in the sandwich buns and holy smokes. It was so much better, and we all know how much I loves me some bread! So for me to say it was better on fries is saying a lot.
This recipe is simple, fast, and screams Southern California lovin. One thing I miss about living there is the amazing carne asada you could pick up pretty much everywhere. I'm here to tell ya that this is a great recipe if you want to get that So Cal vibe in your home for a meal. It won't let you down.

Pulled Pork Tacos

OH MY GOODNESS! I don't know why I don't make these more often! Not only are these ridiculously easy but they are RIDICULOUSLY GOOD!
This is a recipe that my mom had started making during my teenage years and I fell in love with them. These flavors in the cooking liquid is amazing that you don't even need to top your tacos with anything, unless of course you want to. The flavors remind me of a classic Mexican taco wagon. You know the ones I am talking about!
Cooking the meat in the slow cooker allows the flavors to really develop in the meat while making the meat nice and tender, also making it easy to shred.
One thing I love about shredding meat is that it makes it go a long way. I did a pretty small roast and we will be eating this for leftovers for at least a few days. This is also a meal that warms up fantastic.
You will not be mad you tried this one out.

Chicken Enchiladas

Okay guys...this recipe here...is A-MAZE-ING!! I thought I liked enchiladas before, but after having this recipe I literally don't know if I can go back to my other recipes. This is by far the BEST wet, red, chicken enchilada recipe I have ever come across.
The reason this recipe is so different from others I have tried is the sauce.
THIS ENCHILADA SAUCE is to die for! It's homemade, so yes, it takes a little more effort then just dumping the red deliciousness out of a store-bought can, BUT, it is absolutely worth every additional second it takes to make it.
*Quick tip* I will usually make a double or triple batch of the enchilada sauce alone and freeze it in recipe sized portions so that I don't have to make it from scratch every time. This way you only have to go to the effort of making it from scratch once every few times.

Grilled Chicken Tacos

Simple meals are my favorite. I have been on a simple meals kick lately and been loving not spending quite as much time in the kitchen. This recipe is no joke. I have made it quite a few times for people and every time I run out of food because everybody keeps going back for more...and more. The ingredients are simple, light, and refreshing and really remind me of Southern California. The thing I like best about this taco recipe is the salad you put on top of it. It adds all the flavor and adds freshness. This meal comes together in under 30-40 minutes which is a huge bonus for those weeknights where you just don't have much energy. ENJOY!

Chicken Avocado Ranch Burritos

I love easy meals. I love even better when those easy meals are semi-nutritious as well. This meal comes together in 15 minutes or less which makes it perfect for a busy weeknight. My whole family gobbles these babies up easily which is always a plus because whining at the table is a nerve killer at my house. The thing I love about this recipe is it takes basic California burrito flavors, combines them, and leaves room for you to be able to add your own flare as well.
Don't like avocado, leave it out. Want to add some rice, do it. Wanna change the dressing flavor, go right ahead. This particular ingredient list is just how I like to eat it.

Carne Asada

I realize this picture isn't the best of quality but my camera on my phone was all I had around when I made these the other night.
I could eat beef tacos every day of the week. While living in Southern California and working at the mall I grew accustomed to being able to have fantastic carne asada tacos whenever my little heart desired.
Since we are still fairly new to Arizona I haven't found a place yet that sells fantastic tacos for a good price so I had to resort to making my own. This recipe is fantastic. Its nice and zingy from all the citrus you put in the marinade but has all the wonderful classic flavors of a true Mexican taco. I served mine up on a white corn tortilla with some fresh made Pico De Gallo and avocado.

Shredded Beef Tacos

Oh....my.....goodness!!!!!
Between the amazing beef in this recipe and the tomatillo dressing recipe (recipe to come tomorrow) that goes with it I think I died and went to heaven! This I must say has got to be one of the best recipe finds I have ever found. The beef is slow cooked all day in a fantastic combination of flavors and then shredded to put in tacos! Then there is a tomatillo dressing recipe that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
If you have ever been to Cafe Rio, this is a copycat version of their Shredded Beef Tacos and their Tomatillo dressing. So if you like it there then you will love this recipe!

Chicken Taco Salad

I decided to switch things up with my taco salad the other night. I usually just use ground turkey (which is still amazingly yummy) but decided that I wanted to use up some chicken breasts I had sitting in the fridge. This has to be one of the quickest, meals I have ever put together in my life. How simple. I personally like to throw some homemade Pico De Gallo (gave the recipe yesterday) on top to give it that extra homemade feel. This meal will come together in 10 minutes or less, so its the perfect weeknight, I don't feel like cooking but want something delish meal!
Also, down below in my side notes I have a homemade recipe for Taco Seasoning if you don't have any or you can't use the store bought ones for one reason or another!

Pico De Gallo

Oh yes. Look at me getting all creative in my picture setup! Ha...not really.
I absolutely LOVE fresh homemade salsa! Oh boy. In fact I love it so much that my "taster" chip..usually turns into half of it disappearing before it makes it to the fridge. Oops. The thing I love about it, you can adjust the heat of it all depending on your own personal preferences!
Serve this deliciousness on top of Taco Salad (recipe to follow tomorrow), in burritos, nachos, alone..you name it...it will be good on it!

Oldies but Goodies

You know, sometimes I feel that really good recipes get left in the dust because you only see the newer stuff on here. Today I got thinking about some of my all time favorite recipes. The reason I started this blog initially was so that I could put all my favorite recipes online and eventually turn it into a cookbook for myself to have at home so that I could get rid of all my cluttering recipe cards and cookbooks. That hasn't happened yet but someday it may. I've had requests from some people to bring out some of my favorites that you may not see often due to to many recipes being put in front of them. So I will pick my favorite oldies from most categories and have the links to click on. Thank you so much for all my friends and family who have been with me and encouraged me to keep up this blog. If you ever have any requests or suggestions I would love to hear them!

Crockpot Refried Beans

Who knew that making refried beans at home could be so easy?! I always thought that you had to sit at home and keep a close eye on them all day and night for 24 hours! Well hate to break it to you but if you want REALLY authentic tasting ones you will be told that that is the only way to do it....OR you can do it this MUCH easier way for the same flavor without really having to watch it at all! My sister found this recipe off of Pinterest (everyones best friend when it comes to looking for something tasty to make). The original recipe (for the fat free kind) makes so much that I end up cutting it in half and still freeze enough for another meal at least! These beans freeze beautifully and warm up is easy breezy! These are good all alone, or loaded up with cheese, or mixed in with spanish rice, whatever floats your boat! Enjoy.

Chicken Fajitas

 I've decided that you can't go wrong with chicken fajitas. They are loaded with flavor and you don't have to put them in a tortilla to make them taste good. You can serve this up as is, chopped up over a salad, or try your hand at some quinoa tortillas (which I have personally never done, but wanted to try).

So here's for you gluten free, dairy free, soy free.....yes the list is quite long so I will stop there

Super Easy Chicken and Rice

First of all I am well aware that my picture taking abilities are pretty much amazing and I take pictures of food in such an artistic way. LOL. This is a recipe that one of my friends shared with me while living in California. It is just a basic basic basic recipe for chicken and rice. This is my go to chicken and rice recipe, for the fact that its fast, easy, doesn't cost very much money, and tastes great.

Slow Cooker Jambalaya

I don't know why I have always feared making jambalaya. For some reason it always seemed really time consuming and difficult. But I found this recipe on the betty crocker website and I had to try it. IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD, so I thought I would share it with everybody. I hope you like it as much as we did.
This particular recipe isn't a spicy one. Although you can totally adjust the spice in it by simply adding more of the red pepper sauce, or some of your favorite spicy flavorings.