FRESCO Supermarket San Jose - Tinga Con Pollo Recipe

Bottom line is I love this grocery store!  I have never seen any concept like it.  They cater to the Mexican, Asian and N. Indian demographic of the immediate area.  It's like the cumbaya grocery store of the base of Evergreen San Jose.  You go up the hill you have one of the largest Gurdwara's for Punjabi Indians.  Go another way you are in Saigon away from Saigon.  Head east we are Mexican rooted.  HOWEVER BEING SAN JOSE.. all these folks and more make up the area.

Enter the store and there is a large food court currently the only vendor is 'Elma's Taqueria'.  Whomever Elma is, her food rocks.  So many fresh food options inclusive of ceviche and cold salads Mexican style.   Oddly enough you can also have a 'real' cold one meaning a beer with your meal if you wish.  In fact there is a happy hour in this food court.  Maybe some Carne Asada Fries and a Modelo fit's ya.

I had the carnitas plate and it was darn awesome! 

Finished lunch and time to start shopping.  I was making Tinga con Pollo that eve and Fresco has the only perfect tostaditas in town for this dish.  They are sturdy, perfect unlike buying them at another where in the bag they are half cracked if not a crumbly mess.  

They have the food court, a bakery, extensive fish and meat counters.  Also a deli for your cheeses, lunch meats, salsa's and items like rellenos.  

In the produce area is much that appeals to all.

 Never been to a market where was shopping to cook a Mexican dish but also grabbed some curry leaves that love to toast with snack mixes.

The place is amazing with all it offers.  I can't imagine the mastermind behind this place.  

Need some fish.  Any kind of fish.  Fish you never heard of.  Fish, roe of 5 types.  They got ya covered.

Of course where else can you get a pinata for your kid's party.  Maybe some Chinese New Year Gift envelopes for your neighbor from Chunghwa or some real deal fish balls for that home made Phoa.  

The liquor section is quite unique to where you can find branded bottles of Jenni Tequila or Warriors (yes Golden State) liquor gift packs.  

I mean where else do you find bottles shaped like golf clubs filled with Reposado:)

Quickie Delish Recipe of Items from Fresco - Tinga con Pollo

Shopping list:

• 1 can chipotle peppers
• 2 large onions
• 2 cans of chopped tomatoes or if you wish to chop your own tomatoes, about 6-8 depending on size but why waste time.
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 3 heaping spoons Mexican dried oregano.
• 3 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Bag of Fresco's tostadita's
• 1/4 pound cotija cheese
• 1 head lettuce
• large tub of sour cream

1. Salt and pepper your thighs and bake at 350 for about 35 minutes.  
2. Slice onions into half strands and saute in a couple tablespoons of oil.
3. When the onions are translucent, add your cans of tomatoes, the whole can of chipotles, the spices and cook down.  
4. Slice up your head of iceberg lettuce into thin half strands.  
5. Grate/crumble your cotija cheese and let sit in the fridge until ready to eat.  

The thighs should be done.  Pull from oven and dice them and add to your tomato/onion/chipotle mix up.  Simmer for about 15 minutes more on low.  

To plate as was told by some co worker's from Mexico... you first put the sour cream on the tostadita, then the iceberg lettuce.  Next up the tinga con pollo and top with cheese.  I've done Mexican cheese and good old Kraft parmesan in the past as well.  DEEEEELICIOUS!  Such an easy and satisfying recipe!

Frankly I don't know what the right way is but I tend to find if slather the sour cream and smather with lettuce and cheese.  Then scoop on the tinga as I go along, it works just fine!  

Remember, life is too short to eat badly!!