Chipotle Chicken Tostadas

Ok so... seriously?

With this heat?

I can't even even.

I have no idea how Mr. Vittles works outside on days like this.  Although he must be a glutton for punishment because he just got home from work... and decided to go for a run.

Isn't that what everyone does when it's 96 degrees out?

But hey, the longer he's out of the house the longer I have to finish watching last night's episode of the Bachelorette on the DVR.

Er... I mean... who watches that garbage?

As you can probably imagine, Mr. V is not a fan of the show. 

I know he's right, it's hardly 'reality' and the couples never even stay together.  But that doesn't stop me from watching every silly episode of every silly season.

I just have to do it by myself.

Similarly, my husband's surprising distaste for these tostadas probably will not dissuade me from making them again. 

For myself.

He thought the chipotle was too much, I thought it was absolutely delicious.  But he also prefers more Americanized Mexican dishes and while I love me some sour cream and loads of shredded cheese, these were good in a totally different way.

Ah well.  We can't like all the same things.

Chipotle Chicken Tostadas

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken (about 2 breasts)
• 2 small yellow onions, divided
• 1/2 C. + 1 C. diced fire-roasted tomatoes in a can (14.5 oz), drained
• 2 garlic cloves, divided
• 1/2 one 7-oz. can chipotle chiles in adobo
• 1 t. salt
• 8 prepared tostada shells
• queso fresco, for sprinkling (I used feta)

Cut one of the small onions in half.  Place one half in the bottom of a medium stockpot, and add 3 C. water, 1 t. salt, 1.2 t. minced garlic (or 1 garlic clove, cut in half) and chicken breasts.  Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Simmer 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  Remove chicken, but reserve stock for later.  Cool the chicken and shred.

In a blender, combine other half of onion, 1/2 C. fire-roasted diced tomatoes, chipotle chiles, and another 1/2 t. garlic.  Add 1/2 C. reserved chicken stock, and blend until smooth.  Set aside chipotle sauce.

Dice remaining onion.  In a large saucepan/skillet, heat 2 T. canola oil over medium heat.   Add onions and saute about 5 minutes until translucent.  Reduce heat if necessary, and add remainder of drained tomatoes.  Saute 5 minutes over medium-low.

Add shredded chicken and chipotle sauce, and increase temperature enough to bring to a boil.   Then reduce heat back to medium-low and cook 7-10 minutes until most of liquid is absorbed.

Serve on tostada shells with sprinkled queso fresco.  Serves 4 (2 tostadas each).

Recipe Adapted form Muy Bueno Cookbook

Smoky Restaurant-Style Salsa

In addition to being a brownie snob, I'm also kind of a salsa snob. 

I rarely eat salsa out of a jar, and when I do it's only IN recipes, and only certain brands.

To be honest, I didn't even really eat salsa until I was older because I had only had the likes of Pace and Tostitos.  I'm sorry to knock those brands but... ugh!  Not good.

Then in high school my mom started making her own salsa and oh my - I can remember Lauren Vittles and I coming back to my house after a night out and devouring a huge bowl of it.

Like... 3 to 4 times a week.

For a month straight.

Yeah.  It was that addicting.

Although come to think of it,  we actually had to take a breather from it for a while because we ate so much of it we could barely stand the sight of it.

That is... until a few weeks later, when we were back off the wagon again.  Ha!

Anyway, I know I already shared with you a recipe for fresh pico de gallo & salsa verde.  But I realized on my blogoversary last week that I never shared a basic restaurant-style recipe!

I have been on a kick of using fire-roasted tomatoes in recipes though, so I decided to change things up a bit and use those in place of whole canned tomatoes.  I also used a touch of chipotle to add to the smoky flavor.

Considering all the ingredients just get thrown into the food processor, there is no excuse not to make your own delicious, fresh salsa at home.

The beauty of a salsa like this is that you can change anything to your taste.

Don't like your salsa to be spicy?  Use less jalapeno.  (The recipe below makes what I would consider a medium salsa, in regard to the level of heat).

Can't fathom the thought of using tomatoes out of a can?  Use fresh ones (and if you're really feeling frisky, you can oven-roast them yourself first.)

Love chipotle?  Double the amount below, or to taste.

You get the idea.  You're a smart cookie.

Now make it happen :)

Smoky Restaurant Style Salsa

• 1 can (14.5 Ounce) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 can (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced tomatoes And green chilies)
• 1/4 red onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/2 jalapeno, chopped
• 1/8 t. Sugar
• 1/8 t. Salt
• 1/8 t. chipotle chili powder
• 1/4 C. cilantro (more to taste)
• 2 t. lime juice

Combine roasted tomatoes, Rotel, red onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, chipotle, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you’d like. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.  Let sit in refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.  Serves 6.

Recipe Adapted from Pioneer Woman