Trashy Food

I love Nigella Lawson. I checked out her book Nigella Bites from the library this week and there is a whole chapter on "trashy" recipes. I really liked the idea so I thought I'd feature one of my favorite "trashy" recipes here. Nigella has the following criteria for a trashy recipe: it should contain at least one brand-name ingredient. In the case of my Southwestern Chicken in the Crockpot- that ingredient is Pace Medium Salsa - "Chunky Style". Next, it should use a "low-rent" ingredient, one that food snobs would turn their noses up at- for my purposes here, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips maybe? I am going to add to Nigella's list that it should be prepared using some kind of gimick-y kitchen tool or appliance.

This is everyone's favorite recipe that I have. It's the easiest recipe I make and it tastes pretty good. I'd venture to guess that 75% of you who know me and read this blog already have this recipe, but for those of you who don't, you're going to like this one.

1 small bag frozen corn
1 can black beans
2 large frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 jar Pace medium salsa - chunky style
shredded cheddar cheese
tortilla chips
lime wedges
chopped cilantro
chopped avocado

Pour bag of frozen corn in bottom of crockpot. Place frozen chicken breasts on top of corn and cover with rinsed and drained black beans and jar of salsa. Cook on high for 1 hour, and then on low for 4 hours. Shred chicken with forks and then sprinkle cheese on top and let it melt until you're ready to serve. Serve over tortilla chips with desired toppings.

I've learned a lot from Nigella, like maybe it's okay to cook with Campbell's Cream of Mushroom every once in a while... :)

"Yes, I want whatever I do eat to be good, but there is surely a place- and in my heart a very fond one- for a bit of kitsch in the kitchen." - Nigella Lawson