We’ve been longing for a hefty dose of summer in our house. The final nip needed to take away those last few winter blues. Something fresh that takes the stale smell out of the air. Not that we have a stale smell in the air…okay that could very well be a lie. We most definitely do have a smell and I’m blaming it all on the littles who still wear diapers and drop food crumbs randomly throughout the house waiting to grow mold or get stale. But that story isn’t as enticing as this one.
Grilling, strawberries, guacamole, Baja chicken, you know pretty much everything that screams summer is lying right before your eyes. Heaping piles of deliciousness atop that soft, crispy grilled homemade shell. The kickin’ mix of spices coating the chicken combined with the sweetness of the salsa, fresh cilantro, creamy garlicky guacamole with a squeeze of lime juice all wrapped in a dream of eating these on the beach.
Dreamy right?
While I was dreaming, fully immersed in this delicious plate of food I happened to missed life that was quickly happening in front of me. I was awakened to reality as my four-year old flipped off of her chair catching her elbow on her plate that contained the heaping piles of goodness which landed right on top of her as my husband was cleaning up the spilled glass of water from the two year old who was trying to fish out ice.
Me, still eating not even worrying about the chaos of the dinner table. Fully immersed, enjoying every taste of the sweet strawberry salsa, moist chicken and those fried plantains. Dying!
It was one of those nights, after one of those days where you have waited all day in anticipation for the very moment.
Hungry, tired and so excited to see the colorful mix of food that everything around you gets put on hold for. For one moment, one instant you take in and savor each bite, each flavor explosion that you experience.
This was my moment and I wasn’t about to let the employees ruin the peace that was over me.
Besides, this is life as we know it. Crazy shenanigans happening at every meal. Spills, food playing, laughter, crying, more spills, fighting, you know the drill. But the passion, the excitement, the legacy of food bringing a family together makes each family dinner worth it no matter the chaos.
You just accelerate that passion times ten when it is this, colorful, summary, delicious grilled Baja chicken tostada with strawberry pineapple salsa.
Summer is in our midst and this very well may be our new go-to summer meal.
- CHICKEN
- 2 chicken breast halves pounded thin
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp coconut sugar
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground thyme
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp chili powder
- GUCAMOLE
- 1 avocado
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- lime juice from ½ lime
- salt, to taste
- PLANTAINS
- 2 plantains, sliced
- 4 Tbsp coconut oil
- freshly cracked salt
- SALSA
- ½ cup chopped strawberries
- ½ cup chopped pineapple
- ⅓ cup diced onion
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice from ½ lime
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- SHELLS
- 4 medium-large tortilla shells
- Make tortilla shells according to directions.
- Heat grill.
- Mix paprika, cumin, sugar, garlic powder, salt, ground thyme, red pepper flakes and chili powder together in a small bowl.
- Pound chicken and rub seasoning mixture on both sides of chicken.
- Place on grill and cook until cooked through.
- Once done slice.
- PLANTAINS
- Meanwhile slice plantains and heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add coconut oil and once sizzling fry plantains.
- Season with salt and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
- SALSA
- Add chopped strawberries, pineapple, onion and cilantro to a bowl and mix well.
- Add in olive oil, lime juice and salt. Mix to combine.
- GUCAMOLE
- Remove the shell and pit from avocado.
- Place in bowl and mash with a fork.
- Add in garlic, lime juice and salt, mix well.
- ASSEMBLE
- Grill the tortilla shells on both sides (optional).
- Spread guacamole on the shell and add chicken and friend plantains.
- Top with strawberry salsa and additional cilantro, avocado and a squeeze of lime juice.
