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Appetizers & Sides, Vegetarian

Best Homemade Guacamole

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This is my all time favorite way to make Guacamole, that is why I call it “The Best Homemade Guacamole“. 

There is a trick to making the best guacamole so follow along.

Your going to love this recipe!

Now, I know there are a ton of so called AMAZING Guacamole recipes out there. However most are mediocre if you ask me, as I have been making this stuff for years.

In my pursuit for the best recipe, I have also spoken to many Mexicans who have shared some of their recipe secrets with me. If that is not market research, then I don’t know what is. 

WHO INVENTED GUACAMOLE?

The Aztecs from the old world have been credited for inventing this delicious dip. The dip was called ahuaca-molli; molli was the Nahautl word for “something mashed or pureed.

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST GUACAMOLE?

  • I don’t know about you but I like my guacamole to be medium spicy, so I will add 1 serrano pepper to 3 avocados.
  • Also I like to make my guacamole in a traditional pestle, however it  will turn out the same way if you decide to make it in a bowl and then mash it with a fork. 
  • Be sure to not over mash the avocados, because you want to leave some small chunks in there. It just tastes better that way 🙂
  • Season well with salt and the right amount of citrus and you will have the best guacamole ever!

WHAT MAKES A GUACAMOLE AUTHENTIC?

  • It is in the ingredients, true Mexican guacamole uses:
  • Serrano Peppers not Jalapenos and White Onions not Yellow or Purple.

WHAT MAKES A GUACAMOLE AMAZING?

  • The ratio of ingredients that are used
  • The right amount of spices
  • The right ingredients 

How do I know how to make real Guacamole you ask? Well I have traveled to Mexico before along with have visited Old Town in San Diego and ate at every single Mexican restaurant I could find! Asking how it’s made, if that is not market research, then I don’t know what is. 

I’ve also spent a lot of time testing many of those recipes and came up with our favorite way to Mexican Guacamole at home. 

Real Mexican Guacamole highlights the avocados and does not allow any other ingredient to take over. That is why I do not add roma tomatoes anymore as they take from the avocados. 

In this house we eat guacamole every week, because we adore Guacamole. And whenever we go down to Mexico or the States we always order it as an appetizer.

Okay, I’m now ready to reveal the SECRET  ingredient.

Ready? It’s Fresh Squeezed Orange juice!

Along with fresh squeezed lime juice ~But that is not so secret!

Both of those fruits really help to enhances the avocados. I learned about this secret ingredient from one of my favorite mexican restaurants, however I won’t say which as I do not want anyone to get in trouble!

IS GUACAMOLE HEALTHY FOR YOU?

YES! Guacamole is very healthy for you because it contains fat to have in your diet, so eating this often would be a win win! Here are just a few benefits of The Avocado.

  • They contain Vitamins A, C, and E are all present in the flesh of tasty avocado.
  • They’re are immune-boosting, so forget an apple a day eat an avocado a day. 
  • They protect the eyes
  • They can curve hunger, eating just one and you will feel full. 
  • The antioxidants in avocados are good for fighting off cancer. 
  • They lower cholesterol and help fight diabetes and so much more. 

If that is not reason enough to eat more Guacamole, than I don’t know what is. I really encourage you to try a few Guacamole recipes to decide what is your favorite!

Below you will also find my favorite recipe for Cabbage Pico De Gallo it’s AMAZING! 

If you want it more spicy, simply chop more of the Serrano pepper.

Also you can add a diced roma tomato if you’d like. Also be sure to not over mash the avocados, because you want to leave some small chunks in there. It just tastes better that way 🙂 Want to store it in the fridge for a couple of days, be sure to place the pit from one avocado into the dip. This will allow it to store longer and not brown to fast. 

LOOKING FOR MORE AWESOME DIP RECIPES?Try some of my favorite Homemade Creations below!

 

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Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes

Salsa Verde Pork Chops

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These Salsa Verde Pork Chops remind me of Mexico and if you know me you know that I love mexican cuisine. The chops are seared with butter at first then are covered in a delicious tomatillo salsa verde sauce. 

What are Tomatillos you ask? Well there the Mexican tomato basically and now a days this tomato can be found in a jar called “Salsa Verde” at pretty much any supermarket in North America. I like to use this salsa in many different types of recipes, it goes especially well with pork and chicken dishes. 

CAN YOU USE ANY KIND OF PORKCHOP? 

Absolutely! Any kind of porkchop will work for this recipe. Such as bone in pork chops, pork loin or ribs. 

These chops are super easy to make and are really really delicious! Go ahead and serve these pork chops over a bed of rice. 

The trick to cooking the best pork chops is to use ample butter, because you are going to be basting the pork in the butter while it cooks. Giving it it’s depth of flavor and also helps to keep it moist and juicy.

Barriga llena, corazón contento = Full stomach, happy heart.

The second trick is to season the pork chops generously on both sides prior to cooking with salt and pepper. If you follow those two tips alone you are sure to prepare the best pork chops ever. Also feel free to use bone in pork chops, pork loin or ribs.

Loving the mexican flavors of this recipe? Then you are sure to love my “Homemade Chicken Verde” which is another popular recipe of mine that utilizes some of the same ingredients! Go check it out > https://canadiancookingadventures.com/recipe/quick-chicken-verde/

 

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER GREAT RECIPE FOR PORK CHOPS? Try my Dijon Mustard Honey Pork Chops

 

I’m thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! You can post a review, picture below or via Instagram and by doing so you will be automatically entered into our seasonal CONTEST to win one of our great prizes. Winner will be notified via email within a week after the contest closes. Thank you and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

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Quick and easy recipes

Cajun Creamed Corn

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This Cajun Creamed Corn is not your sweet Southern Corn you may be more familiar with, not to say this isn’t sweet. Because it is, we are still using sweet corn after all. 

However we are omitting the sugar and using cajun seasoning to spice it up some.

This is my kind of creamed corn, I hope you enjoy it too.  

My cajun creamed corn is so good it can be enjoyed as is or as a side to just about any meal.

Made with just a few simple ingredients of milk, butter and cornstarch then seasoned to perfection.

Your sure to crave this stuff next time you’re looking for a unique side dish to serve.

Feel free to use milk in replace of cream or almond milk if desired.

Also if you want it more thick simply add one more 1 tbsp of cornstarch during the cooking phase.

Did you know that sweet corn is very good for you? 

It’s true, it’s loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that promote healthy vision.

Besides helping with weight loss, the insoluble fiber in corn feeds good bacteria in your gut, which aids in digestion and helps keep you regular.

Once this recipe has been cooked, feel free to add cooked bacon pieces to this corn mixture. It works really good in this side as well.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

Chicken, Dinner ideas, Pasta, Quick and easy recipes

Chicken Tortellini Verde

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This simple one pan recipe is made with chicken tortellini, baby tomatoes, sour cream and green verde sauce. It doesn’t get any simpler than this folks!

If you have tried Green Chili verde in Mexican cooking before and liked it. Then your sure to like this Chicken Tortellini Verde which is made in the same Tomatillo green sauce. 

Your probably thinking, Italian pasta and Mexican Green Chili Verde! Could that possibly be good? Well I assure it is because it has the right balance of flavors.

And this recent recipe creations has turned out to be a favorite in our home.

Sure, you won’t typically find this offered in any mexican or italian restaurant. However I encourage you to give it a try if you are a foodie like me! It’s an excellent fusion dish and is absolutely delicious! 

Now there is a process to making authentic tomatillo sauce and that starts with roasting tomatillos, along with garlic, jalapenos and onions in the oven. 

However that takes a lot of time and would make this recipe not so quick. So instead we are using a pre -made green chili sauce that has all those authentic mexican ingredients in it. 

So what are Tomatillos anyway? Well they are little green looking tomatoes, known as the Mexican husk tomato, but they are hard to find here in Canada. 

And even so I prefer to buy it pre-made its still natural and fresh. Also don’t forget to add the sour cream as well, this really kicks up the flavor and pulls the dish together.

 


I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, I appreciate every single one of you! If you made this recipe i’d love to hear how it turned out. You can post a review/picture below or via Instagram and let me know. And by doing so you will be automatically entered into our seasonal CONTEST  to win one of our great prizes. Winner will be notified via email within a week after the contest closes. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

 

 

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Chicken, Dinner ideas, Meal Prep, Quick and easy recipes, Salads

Mexican Corn on the Cob Salad

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This is my take on a Mexican Corn on the Cob Salad! It is full of flavor and can be ready in less than 30 minutes! 

It’s made with fresh sweet corn on the cob, Szeged seasoned chicken breasts, avocados, baby tomatoes, orange peppers and some chives.

And it is topped with my homemade “Creamy Lemon Lime Vinaigrette” which makes for a very tasty carb and gluten free meal. 

The sweet corn and orange pepper give this salad a hint of sweetness!  Mix that with this tangy dressing and you have yourself one fantastic summer salad.

Who said you have to be Mexican to enjoy good food?

The first time I had a cob salad like this was down in San Diego, we were staying near old town and we ventured out and found this little Mexican spot that served one of the best cob salads I ever tasted.

Since that day, i vowed to learn how to make it. And this my friends is my favorite cob salad vertition, I hope you give it a try. 

As you may know I’m obsessed with “Szeged Chicken Rub” it’s so very versatile. I use it alot when I’m cooking chicken.

If you have never tried it, then I really encourage to order it either from the link that I provided below with Amazon or search your local grocery for it.

Trust me it’s the bomb!

So here we are full swing into summer, finally.

And fresh corn on the cob is now available at most grocery stores and outdoor markets!

Sweet corn on the cob is one of my most favorite summer time vegetables.

And I just picked up a bunch recently from my local farmers market along with a orange pepper that I used in this recipe. 

The baby tomatoes, cilantro and chives came straight from my little garden. 

Your going to want a light Vinaigrette to accompany this salad, so i’m sharing that recipe with you too.

It is not only perfect for this particular salad it also can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 weeks and used on plenty of other salads.

The Creamy Lemon and Lime Vinaigrette gives this salad  extra depth of flavor that you’re sure to love. It’s best to eat this dish right away, fresh is always best.

However you can store it in the fridge in a sealable container/meal prep type bowl for a couple days ahead if desired.

Just be sure to only pour the vinaigrette overtop once your ready to eat it, otherwise you bare the chance of having mushy avocados.   

 

Here is my recipe for: Creamy Lemon and Lime Vinaigrette

If wanting  your to feed more people than what this recipe does.

Then I recommend doubling this recipe up with my easy to use recipe adjuster above and then you can serve a larger group. 

Meal Prep Inspiration: Store in sealable containers for up to 3 days in the fridge, just make sure you are using firm avocados and not putting the dressing on top till your ready to eat.

What are some of your favorite summer time salads? 

Looking for more Summertime salads? Try these popular recipes below. 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every month!

 

Salads

Cabbage Tomato Salad

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This Cabbage Tomato Salad is packed full of amazing Mexican flavors! So simple yet so refreshing!

Have you ever tried fresh Mexican pico de gallo salsa on a taco, fajita or burrito and thought “WOW” this would be great as a salad?

Well I have and eat it often as a salad too so instead of chopping the cabbage super fine I will leave it a bit more chunky.

This salad is made from chopped roma tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeños peppers, salt, and lime juice.

And has literally no calories so feel free to eat as much as you like. Buen provecho!

I could eat this all day everyday!

When making this salad make sure to drain most of the liquid out of your tomatoes otherwise it will become mushy to fast. I recommend using roma tomatoes, that way there is not to much liquid. 

SUPER FRESH AND FLAVORFUL!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, I appreciate every single one of you! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

Chicken, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Slow Cooker recipes, Soups & Stews

Chicken Verde Soup

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This simple one pot chicken verde soup will knock your socks off! If you have tried my Authentic Green Pork Chili and liked it. 

Then you’re sure to like this Chicken Verde which is made in the same Tomatillo green sauce. 

This soup is perfect for Cinco de mayo which is coming up here in two days. 

¿Estás emocionado por el cinco de mayo = are you excited for Cinco de mayo?

Or you can just enjoy it just because Mexican food is an awesome anytime of the year!

Now there is a process to making authentic tomatillo sauce and that starts with roasting tomatillos, along with garlic, jalapenos and onions in the oven. 

However that takes a lot of time and would make this recipe not so quick.

So instead we are using a pre -made green chili sauce that has all those authentic mexican ingredients in it. 

So what are Tomatillos anyway? Well they are little green looking tomatoes, known as the Mexican husk tomato, but they are hard to find here in Canada.

We even send Bubba out to locate these rare tomatillos for this recipe, but he failed to come back with any local ones.

Rather he did come back with a bottle of “Tomatillo Salsa” which has the tomatillos in it, along with the cooked jalapenos, onions and garlic that are needing in this recipe.

Add some sliced avocados and tomatoes on top along with chopped fresh cilantro for garnish. Oh and don’t forget to squeeze the juice of a lime over top too!

This really kicks up the flavor and pulls the dish together so well. Also if your wanting to tone down the spicy flavor some feel free to add a dollop of sour cream.

I like to serve this dish with warm corn tortillas for dipping or serve alongside a bed of rice. If you have a little more time on your hands and want to make the salsa verde from scratch, here is a great recipe for “salsa verde“. 

If your cooking for a large crowd keep this recipe in mind, not only is it easy to prepare it’s also inexpensive and goes long ways.

Just double the ingredients up if your wanting to feed more than four people, by using my easy to use recipe adjuster above. 

Recipe inspired by: Kevin over at Closet Cooking


I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, I appreciate every single one of you! If you made this recipe i’d love to hear how it turned out, you can leave a comment below. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Seafood

Easy Tilapia Fish Tacos

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These Easy Tilapia Fish Tacos are one of my all time favorite Mexican recipes.

Not only are they absolutely delicious! They take less than 15 minutes to make. I like to serve these tacos with all types of salsa, such as the one you see here for my Pico de gallo . Also you can serve it with my award winning Jalapeno Peach Salsa as seen below.

ARRIBA MEXICO!

It’s that good guys, amo los tacos mexicanos! We make this in our house at least once a week.

Just make sure you have some either high quality fresh fillets or frozen always on hand and you can too.

ARE FISH TACOS HEALTHY

Yes, white fish is a lean protein then the taco shell itself is low in calories as well as the added ingredients and spices.

HOW TO MAKE TILAPIA FISH TACOS

  • You can use a high quality frozen fish for this recipe. Otherwise fresh fillets are always my top choice.
  • This type of fish can also be served in burritos, hard tacos or over rice with beans.

TYPE OF FISH TACOS

  • You can also substitute the tilapia for another white fish such as halibut or cod.
  • Shrimp too is also a popular option. 

WHERE DID FISH TACOS ORIGINATE

In Baja, California. Some say that the roots come from Japanese immigrants that made there way to Mexico in the 1950s – 1960 who brought them in.  Either way they this is a very MEXICAN recipe to most of us today!

TILAPIA FISH TACO SEASONING

  • Chili Powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Garlic Powder
  • Cumin Powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

These tasty tacos can be pulled together in less than 15 minutes.

Making for a super quick and tasty dinner option.

Just make sure to make the “pico de gallo” ahead of time.

But not to ahead of time as the tomatoes won’t be as fresh past a day!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TILAPIA

  • Sour cream
  • Cheese
  • Avocado

WHAT IS PICO DE GALLO

These fish tacos are so darn delicious, pair them with fresh homemade “pico de gallo” and you can’t get a tastier or healthier fish tacos if you ask me.

It’s Mexican salsa y’all and it goes great with just about any type of Mexican food.

See below for the recipe!

Also don’t forget to squeeze some fresh lime juice over top the fish at the end.

This really helps the flavors to pop!

FISH TACOS FOR A CROWD

You can feed roughly 4 people with this recipe.

So if it’s just the two of you dining tonight then there certainly will be some leftovers.

If your wanting to feed more people, simply MAKE more by doubling the ingredients! 

Super easy to prepare too, all you are doing is a little prep work that takes less than 15 minutes.

If your wanting to serve this with the same  “pico de gallo” salsa you see in the picture here.

Be sure to make the salsa one hour ahead of time, as it’s best to let the salsa marinate which enhances it’s flavors. 

Check out my two favorite recipes for Pico De Gallo you will serious love them! 

  1. Pico De Gallo this goes great with these tacos.
  2. Cabbage Pico De Gallo this also goes great with these tacos.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Looking for another way to make Fish Tacos? Try my Blackened Tilapia Fish Tacos