Tortilla Soup

I had a craving, so I came home from church and got crackin! A few weeks before a friend an I tried the tortilla soup at Qdoba and I knew it would soon become an obsession. Several years ago a family member made something like this for me, but it was before my vegetarian days so I hadn't thought to attempt to recreate it since hers was a focus on chicken. I cracked open my "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" book and got to brainstorming.

As always I made some modifications to the original recipe. I'm very pleased with how it turned out though! Note, I doubled what is below to give myself plenty of leftovers - I have three full mason jars left, plus the lunch I'm about to consume.

1-2 Tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, peanut)
1 large onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
1 quart veggie stock or water (I did 1/2 and 1/2 - you can of course use chicken as well)
1 can black beans
cilantro, to taste
oregano, to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
lime wedges
cheese (I prefer colby/jack mix)
sour cream
tortilla chips (original recipe calls for home frying tortilla shells, but I had a bag of stale chips to use!)


Heat oil in large saucepan and add onions. Cook for about 5 minutes before adding garlic and jalapenos, cook another 5 minutes. Add stock, tomatoes, black beans, and season with cilantro, oregano and s&p to taste. Heat through, simmering for ~20 minutes and adjusting seasonings as needed. Serve with a lime wedge, spoonful of sour cream, handful of cheese and chips (all or none of these will make a delicious soup!). Depending on your spice tolerance adjust jalapeno usage or addition of sour cream accordingly. I like to add a few crushed chips as I eat to give it more crunch. Original recipe calls for blending the soup, but I like the chunkiness. I meant to add mushrooms the first time round but forgot - beans are not in the original.

Yummy!

Salmon and Potato dinner

It's no secret that I love cooking and baking. Last night I was able to truly revel in my cooking desires. Here was our meal:

Honey Roasted Red Potatoes
Spicy Salmon with Caramelized Onions
And a can of green beans

It was absolutely delicious. I'm excited to eat the leftovers for lunch!

Frogged

I have officially frogged my first project. I have a couple projects that I've put to the side while I regroup my thoughts over it, but I have every intention of returning to them and fixing it. Two nights ago I decided there was no saving this one. It turned out close to double the size I expected. I'll be salvaging the yarn for a new project that will hopefully turn out much better!

New Focus

I have been revamping my spending habits. Trying to focus more on the necessities, and less on the clothing wants. Granted my pant size has changed, again, so I'll fill a few voids there as I have the finances to do so. But, maybe if I focus even more on my crafting I'll be able to better spread my "salary". (In quotes because even though I'm working 60 hours each week, it's quite laughable).

I have several projects I want to take on. My mother has helped me gather supplies for quilting, but I have barely made a dent in the wish list of knit/crochet projects! I'll have to alternate the wealth.

So, this blog is now deemed my crafting focus blog. To keep me focused on non-costly desires!

Lincoln, you never cease to amaze me

Went for a walk/jog this morning and was passed by a 60+ year old woman rollerblading. All decked out in the pads and helmet. Just cruising along the MoPac at 6:00 AM.

On the walk to the bus I passed Runza and they had a sign saying "Purchase a $1 or more drink, get a free straw."

On the bus the woman in front of me had piercings on her earlobes which I can only assume were to take the place of actual earrings.

A few weeks ago a girl jogged by while I waited for the bus and she had vertical lines symbolizing the seem of old-fashioned pantyhose tattooed on the back of her legs. At the top of each leg was the tattoo of a bow. That same day I got on the bus and it reeked of liquor. I hope it wasn't the driver.