Category / Recipe

by Pinch Plate Party

No Fuss Chicken Taco Filling

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So I know it’s not taco Tuesday but that does not mean I can’t share a recipe for you to use on Taco Tuesday!

This recipe is so simple and don’t tell anyone, but it’s a slow cooker recipe. I rarely cook with the slow cooker but for this recipe it just makes sense. Some things that you will need for this recipe is a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, a red onion, and traditional tex-mex spices. This is a set it and forget it type of recipe that cooks for a few hours.

Unlike most slow cooker recipes, there is a secret step that happens just before serving. After the chicken is cooked, you separate the chicken from the broth and then reduce the broth in a separate saucepan. The result is a rich, silky, and flavorful broth that you toss the chicken back in before serving. The reduced broth is the secret step that separates this recipe from all other slow cooker chicken recipes.

I serve my chicken on corn tortillas with a variety of toppings. My favorite combination is corn tortillas with picked red onions, avocado, cotija cheese, and cilantro. I find the best way to warm corn tortillas is on the open flame of a gas stove top (I love that texture from the charred edges).

Check out the video, give the recipe a try, and let me know what you think!

No Fuss Chicken Taco Filling

  • Servings: 8
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

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Unlike most slow cooker recipes, there is a secret step that happens just before serving. After the chicken is cooked, you separate the chicken from the broth and then reduce the broth in a separate saucepan. The result is a rich, silky, and flavorful broth that you toss the chicken back in before serving. The reduced broth is the secret step that separates this recipe from all other slow cooker chicken recipes.

Ingredients

  • 2.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1//’4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
  2. Cook on high for 3 hours (or on low for 6-8 hours).
  3. After cooking, remove all the chicken from the broth and shred it using two forks.
  4. Pour the broth into a medium saucepan and boil over high heat for 6 minutes or until the broth has reduced to 1/3 cup.
  5. Combine the chicken and the reduced broth.
  6. Serve the chicken with your favorite taco ingredients.

by Pinch Plate Party

Birthday Cake Crispy Rice Cereal Treats

July is the month of birthdays for us. My husband, sister, father, nephew, brother-in-law- and sister-in-law all have birthdays this month. Two of these family members even have a birthday on the same day!

So in honor of the month of birthdays, I’m sharing a recipe for crispy rice cereal treats. It’s yet another twist on the traditional treat. To achieve the birthday cake flavor you mix in salt, vanilla, white cake mix, and sprinkles!

It’s an easy treat that comes together really quickly… and it has a flavor that both kids and adults will enjoy.

Birthday Cake Crispy Rice Cereal Treats

  • Servings: 16
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

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White cake mix is the secret ingredient for this crispy rice treat cereal recipe. The cake mix gives these treats that birthday cake flavor!

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 10 oz package of marshmallows
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3/4 cup white cake mix
  • 6 cups crispy rice cereal
  • 1/2 cup sprinkles
  • 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
  • Food coloring, additional white chocolate chips, and sprinkles for decorating (optional).

Directions

  1. In large pot, melt butter over low heat. Add in marshmallows and stir until melted.
  2. Add in the salt, vanilla, and cake mix and stir to combine. Once combined, remove from the heat.
  3. Add cereal and sprinkles. Stir until combined.
  4. Press the mixture into an 8 x 8 inch pan coated with nonstick spray. Let cool completely
  5. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave (using short 30 second bursts until melted).
  6. Pour the chocolate over the top of the treats and spread it in an even layer.
  7. Melt additional white chocolate and tint it with coloring. Drizzle over the top and add more sprinkles.
  8. Place treats in the freezer until the chocolate has hardened, about 5 minutes.
  9. Cut the treats into 2″ x 2″ pieces and serve.

by Pinch Plate Party

Grain Bowls with Salmon, Goat Cheese, and Roasted Vegetables

These bowls are a perfect combination of sweet and savory, roasted and fresh… light and filling. I’ve seen recipes for grain bowls before but what sets mine apart is the roasted garlic vinaigrette that ties all the flavors together. My mouth is watering just thinking about this. These grain bowls have the husband stamp of approval and are SUPER filling.

The recipe uses easy to find ingredients like quinoa, farro, onions, tomatoes, and garlic. If you don’t like tomatoes, use broccoli instead. If you don’t like farro just double up on the quinoa or replace it with brown rice. This recipe is a blueprint so you can make adjustments until you find a combination that works best for you!2020-06-01-08.33.27-1I reccomend using frozen salmon for this recipe. Just make sure you defrost it ahead of time. I’m embarrased to say this but the extra moisture in the fish helps to steam it while it cooks in the oven. 2020-06-01-08.30.00-1I hope you enjoy preparing and eating this recipe as much as I enjoy eating it!

Grain Bowls with Salmon, Goat Cheese, and Roasted Vegetables

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

2020-06-01-08.32.10-1This recipe provides a healthy and satisfying meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. These bowls are packed with whole grains and roasted vegetables. The sweet and tangy vinaigrette ties the entire recipe together. All or parts of the recipe can be prepared ahead of time – just warm and combine before serving.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup quinoa, uncooked
  • 3/4 cup farro (or brown rice), uncooked
  • 3 tablespoons plus 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil, divided
  • 16 oz salmon
  • 2 medium red onions, cut lengthways into 1/2 inch wedges
  • 10 oz cherry tomatoes
  • 1 head of garlic – loose, papery, outer layers removed but leave the head of garlic intact with all the cloves connected
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 4 oz plain goat cheese, crumbled or cut into small cubes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. In two seperate pots, cook the quinoa and brown rice according to their package instructions. Once cooked, set aside.
  3. On a sheet pan, combine red onions and cherry tomatoes and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Trim 1/4 inch off the top of the head of garlic, exposing the tops of the garlic cloves. Place the head of garlic on a piece of foil and drizzle the garlic with 1/4 tsp of olive oil. Securely wrap the head of garlic in the foil and place on the tray with the tomatoes and onions.
  5. Roast the onions, tomatoes, and garlic in the oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring once. Once cooked, remove the garlic from the foil pouch and set aside.
  6. Meanwhile, coat the salmon with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. place the salmon on a sheet pan and roast in the oven for 7-10 minutes (the fish can cook in the oven with the vegetables)
  7. While the grains, vegetables, and fish are cooking, start preparing the vinaigarette. In a small bowl whisk the honey, extra virgin olive oil, and apple cider vinegar until emulsified.
  8. Once the roasted garlic has cooled enough to handle, squeeze the bottom of the cloves to push the garlic out of its paper. Gently smash the garlic with a fork and add to the vinaigrette. Stir to combine and add salt and pepper to taste.
  9. To assemble the bowls: Combine the quinoa, rice, roasted vegetables and 1/2 of the vinaigrette mixture in a large serving bowl. Gently stir until well incorporated.
  10. Flake the salmon with a fork and add on top of the grain mixture.
  11. Top with the goat cheese, parsley, and the remaining vinaigrette.

Can be served warm or room temperature.