Sunday, November 23, 2008

Soup Night!

I have been feeling like soup lately. It has gotten cooler and I need to free up some freezer space for Holiday stuff. This is my favorite soup recipe and I make enough to freeze some and have at a later time.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

6 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas, coarsely chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 onion, chopped
1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 bay leaves
6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
5 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked


In a large stock pot heat oil. Add tortillas, garlic, cilantro and onion. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add cumin, chili powder, bay leaves and chicken stock. Return to a boil, reduce heat to medium and add salt and cayenne. Simmer for 30 minutes remove bay leaves and stir in chicken. Heat through and serve.


Now, I used to cut up everything and it took forever, especially shredding the chicken. But with the food processor I got this summer this soup was much faster to make. I cut up the tortillas with a knife and threw in the pot. I put the onion, garlic and a couple handfuls of cilantro in the processor and zap... Done! Started to cook those while I threw in a big bag of thawed homegrown tomatoes into the processor and zap...into the pot. Then cut the chicken breasts into quarters and into the processor zap... Done. It was that quick. And I am sure it will be yummy!

Charles is outside starting to build our new arbor/patio. It should be wonderful. Now if we can just figure a way to get rid of the masses of mosquitoes, I might acturally get out there to use it!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Get Something For Nothing!


Oprah had a special today about clutter. I recorded that one because I could use all the help I can get! Well they are giving away a free custom picture book from Snapfish.com. Go to this link then click on "Get your free book" to make your book. It is usually $30 and all you have to pay for is shipping! I have been wanting to redo our wedding album and this may be the best way to do it. But you only have till Friday to sign up and then have to upload the photos and purchase the book by Sunday. Not much time. And I have to scan all the pictures I want to use. But it might be worth it!