Before the one you see now, I had Chipotle in there too, but wow, it was just way too much of a tongue twister. I am actually beginning to get annoyed with myself that for the life of me I just cannot write-up a simple, non confusing recipe title. I mean, they happen, but only occasionally. Oh well, I just can’t leave anything out. I just can’t.
Sooo, how about some fresh flavors and colorful Mexican food to brighten up your Wednesday? Like don’t you just want to hit the beach with me and my pineapple up there? Cause I do. If you read my post on Sunday, you’d know that I said I was freezing. Well, yeah, I am still freezing and it is snowing again. Welcome to late February in Colorado. Just three more months of the cold and snow and then it’s mud season. Oh my gosh, sounds so fun, right. Oh yeah… I am actually OK with all the cold weather though because when it gets really cold like this, it just makes me think of tropical warm places… and well, apparently really freaking delicious Mexican food. With pineapple, because you know, crazy me bought TEN at the grocery store the other week. <–Can you say, Tieghan loves pineapples? YUP.
So you can see why I especially love these chicken tingas… with pineapple. And beneath it all sits a crispy all cheese quesadilla (so kind of like a quesadilla tostada)…with um, tequila lime pickled jalapeño’s, and well lots of cajita cheese, because life should be extra fun on this Wednesday! You see, I clearly got a little carried away with this recipe. This seems to happen a lot with me, but I kind of like it. This way I get to eat really good food. Score.
Oh, and did I mention this is one of those crazy simple and crazy easy crockpot recipes? I mean, I tried to get the word crockpot into the title too, but it just wasn’t gonna happen. You can actually make this in the crockpot OR in the oven. Both ways turn out just the same. The crockpot is just nice and convenient though. Gotta love a delicious warm meal that is waiting for you when you get home. Plus, the house smells AMAZING all day long. I loved walking in from the cold only to smell tropical Mexican cooking away. It really is the very best way to handle these late February days.
If you are wondering, tinga just means a smoky tomato based Mexican sauce. It can be made with chicken, pork or beef and is typically served over rice or in a tortilla. I did my tinga just a little differently, but it’s the perfect combo of spicy and sweet, and it’s made even better by the crispy cheese quesadilla sitting underneath it.
By the way, making a quesadilla into a tostada is the best. You get to stuff so much cheese into your dilla and everything stays so nice and crisp. On top of that, you get to pile on the toppings like you would a tostada. Epic.
And those pickled jalapeño’s? I really just added those because one – I love spicy jalapeño’s and limes, and two – I feel like all of our Wednesdays could possibly use a little pick me up. Thinking these are just the perfect final touch to help us through the hump.
Pineapple Chicken Tinga Quesadilla Tostadas with Tequila Lime Pickled Jalapeño’s – whew, happiest fiesta Wednesday!!
