When I think of Peggy's cooking, the last thing I think about is a crock pot. She probably dies a little inside every time this blog has a slow cooker recipe on it. But lets get real, in today's busy fast paced life, sometimes you only get 20 minutes in your day to throw a meal together, and it most likely isn't near meal time. So a crock pot can be a life saver for busy moms. Just tell the foodie inside of you to look the other way. This recipe will certainly not go down in our blog history for most beautiful, but it is definitely delicious. And coming together in less than 5 minutes of prep? How can you say no to that? 

Ingredients: 
2 frozen chicken breasts
2 cups salsa
2 cups chicken broth 
8 ounces quinoa 
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 ears corn, trimmed
1 cup cheese, shredded 
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 avacado, diced
2 tsp cilantro, minced
1 lime

Directions: Place your chicken breasts in the slow cooker, add your salsa, broth, quinoa, beans, corn, cheese, salt, and pepper. Cook on high for 4 hours. Pull apart your chicken into bite sized pieces. Mix in the juice of 1 lime. Top with avacado and cilantro. 

This dish is super simple, so fast, and extremely flavorful. 
Enjoy!

I've been making this Mexican skillet for my family for years. This week when I made it, my husband commented that it is actually one of his favorite recipes of mine. Its just a filling stick to your ribs no fuss meal. Classic Mexican flavors that come together in a cinch. 

Ingredients: 

1 lb lean ground beef

1 small onion, diced

1 packet taco seasoning

2 tsp olive oil

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 tsp butter

1 can black beans

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1 avocado, sliced 

2 tsp chopped cilantro

Directions: Cook your rice with 1 tsp butter and a pinch of salt. While that cooks, in a large pan heat some oil, cook your onions until they begin to brown. Add your ground beef and crumble and cook until golden brown. Mix in your taco seasoning, and beans. In a large dish, layer your rice on the bottom, meat mixture on the top, then cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro. 

We hope this easy weeknight meal quickly becomes a favorite in your household as well. 
Enjoy!

When you are in the need for an easy weeknight meal, this dish will fit the bill. Its a one pot meal, less dishes is always a win in my book. Also, everything is super easy to assemble and throw together. Nothing to baby sit and no steps in this recipe are tricky. 

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cans black beans, rinsed
1 can corn, rinsed
1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tablespoon cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil 
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper 

Heat your oil in a large skillet. Pat your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and sprinkle each side with salt, pepper, and cumin. Place your chicken in the skillet and saute for about 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. There should be a nice golden crust on the outside of your chicken. Remove your chicken from the pan and saute your onions in the drippings with salt and pepper until golden and translucent. Add your bean, corn, parsley, cilantro, & pepper flakes to the pan and heat through. Add your vinegar at the end and stir. Place your chicken on top. You can also serve this dish over rice if you are like me and need carbs with every meal. Wink wink. 

Simple, affordable, tasty. 
Enjoy!

My husband decided to call this dish a Southwestern Hay Stack. He said even though the name doesn't sound very gourmet, its a pretty descriptive way for you to picture what this meal is about. Its basically like a Hawaiian hay stack, but with more of a Mexican flair. 

This meal is something that is deeply satisfying and healthy at the same time. I love win win dishes like that. Its easy to whip up and a meal where you can do lots of the prep ahead of time. Again, a win win. Normally when I make this dish, I add shredded cheddar cheese to it. I forgot to do that today and guess what? It was just as good. So I'm leaving the cheese out of the recipe because if it doesn't need it, why add the expense or calories? Right? 

Ingredients: 

2 cups uncooked white rice 
2 chicken breasts
1//2 cup salsa + extra for garnish
2 tsp fajita seasoning 
2 ripe avacados
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp cumin
1 can black beans
1 can corn
2 tsp dried cilantro 
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt & Pepper

Place your chicken breasts, 1/2 cup of salsa, and fajita seasoning in a slow cooker. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook for 3-4 hours or until your chicken breaks apart when cut. 

While your chicken is cooking, you can also cook your white rice in your rice cooker. 

When your chicken is almost ready, you can begin to cook your beans. Add your olive oil to a warm pan. Then add your onions, salt and pepper them. Let them sauté until they are translucent. Add your garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Then add your beans, corn, cumin, and cilantro. Let those mix on low heat while you make your guacamole. 

Cut and mash your avocado in a small bowl. Add salt, pepper, and lime juice, stir together. 
Take your chicken out of the slow cooker and chop it into small pieces. 

Assemble your "haystacks" part by part. Rice, beans, chicken, guacamole, then add salsa on top as your garnish. 

My husband said I could make this meal once a week and he would be a happy man. He loves fresh tasting healthy recipes, but that also leave you feeling satisfied. Hopefully this will satisfy your family as well. 

Enjoy!