What I'm cooking
It's finally fall! Even if the stoopid local weather isn't cooperating. I'm still gonna cook my cold weather dishes, even if it is record-breaking 70-something degrees out there. Hmpf. All the soups. That's what I want. All of them. One of our very favorites is this one. It is so warming on what should be a chilly day. (Stoopid weather.)
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, pepper, and garlic. Cook until onions are translucent then add the chicken and spices and mix well.
Add tomatoes and chilis, broth, tomato paste, water, and both beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.
Mix cornmeal with a small amount of water and make a slurry. Add to soup and mix well, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes, stirring often. When done, allow to cool for 15 minutes.
Before serving, add tortilla strips to each bowl and then ladle in the soup. Garnish with sour cream, grated cheese, chopped green onion, diced avocado, salsa, or whatever floats your boat.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 2 cups cooked or leftover chicken, diced or shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 heaping tablespoon cumin
- 1 heaping tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped (or yellow or orange or a mix of all)
- 1 can tomatoes with green chilis
- 6 cups salt-free chicken broth (if using regular, cut back the salt amount above)
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 2 cups water
- 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 tablespoons cornmeal
- 5 small corn Tortillas, halved and cut into 1-inch wide strips
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, pepper, and garlic. Cook until onions are translucent then add the chicken and spices and mix well.
Add tomatoes and chilis, broth, tomato paste, water, and both beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.
Mix cornmeal with a small amount of water and make a slurry. Add to soup and mix well, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes, stirring often. When done, allow to cool for 15 minutes.
Before serving, add tortilla strips to each bowl and then ladle in the soup. Garnish with sour cream, grated cheese, chopped green onion, diced avocado, salsa, or whatever floats your boat.
What I'm reading
A Gentleman in Moscow
Amor Towles
Continuing with my New Year's resolution to read at least one book a month that I probably normally wouldn't read, I recently finished this one. And whoa, Nelly, was it WONDERFUL. As an English major in college, it was a given that I would read a decent amount of classic Russian literature. What wasn't a given was that I would actually enjoy reading classic Russian literature. (Which I didn't. Sorry, not sorry.) Amor Towles writing about Russia, however, kept me up nights turning pages. And unlike the classics, I didn't feel bleak and hopeless after finishing. On the contrary, after finishing A Gentleman in Moscow, I felt WONDERFUL.
This is just such a sweet, upbeat, feelgood read, filled with characters who will stay with you for a long, long time after you turn the last page. I've already picked up Towles's other two novels, and I cannot wait to start reading.
Amor Towles
Continuing with my New Year's resolution to read at least one book a month that I probably normally wouldn't read, I recently finished this one. And whoa, Nelly, was it WONDERFUL. As an English major in college, it was a given that I would read a decent amount of classic Russian literature. What wasn't a given was that I would actually enjoy reading classic Russian literature. (Which I didn't. Sorry, not sorry.) Amor Towles writing about Russia, however, kept me up nights turning pages. And unlike the classics, I didn't feel bleak and hopeless after finishing. On the contrary, after finishing A Gentleman in Moscow, I felt WONDERFUL.
This is just such a sweet, upbeat, feelgood read, filled with characters who will stay with you for a long, long time after you turn the last page. I've already picked up Towles's other two novels, and I cannot wait to start reading.
What I'm watching
Top Chef World All Stars
Top Chef, I can't quit you. And now you're in London, my most favorite city in the whole world, and you've stirred my Kentucky girl Sarah into the mix. Of course I'm gonna watch.
I cannot believe these people can chop stuff so fast without losing a hand. And then, then, they put food on a plate in literal minutes that looks amazing. I mean, really. An American south thali? A peach melba Wellington? What time is dinner?
Top Chef, I can't quit you. And now you're in London, my most favorite city in the whole world, and you've stirred my Kentucky girl Sarah into the mix. Of course I'm gonna watch.
I cannot believe these people can chop stuff so fast without losing a hand. And then, then, they put food on a plate in literal minutes that looks amazing. I mean, really. An American south thali? A peach melba Wellington? What time is dinner?
What I'm listening to
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Joâo Gilberto - "Amoroso/Brasil" Summer means bossa nova. Lots and lots of bossa nova. Jimmy Cliff et al. - "The Harder They Come" Summer also means reggae. Lots and lots of reggae. Caro Emerald - "Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor" 'Cause you know there's gonna be a patio party in there somewhere. Even if you have it in the kitchen. Frank Sinatra and Count Basie - "Sinatra at the Sands" And of course every season is jazz season. |