Mmm, mmm, good!

     Hello, everyone!  I hope you're staying warm on this unnaturally cold November weekend.  I guess Georgia decided to skip fall (although the forecast is saying that it will be 80 degrees next Thursday).  I've pulled out all of my sweatshirts, which has made me miss the college life and the fact that I could wear a sweatshirt almost every day.  Sadly they are not quite "work appropriate;" I'm sure many of you feel my pain in this.

     I can't say that the winter months are a favorite season for me.  I'm a naturally cold person, so living at home where my parents refuse to put the thermostat above 65 can be uncomfortable.  Hence the reason my Snuggie is permanently attached to my body.  With all of that, however, there is still one thing I enjoy about cold weather: soups!  I've been waiting and waiting for a cold day so I could make chicken tortilla soup.  That stuff kicks some major butt.  Wigal introduced me to it last fall/winter, and we ate it all the time.  It is seriously soooo good.  And check out how nice I am: I'll even share the recipe with you.  ;]  Super easy and super delish...try it!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

4 cloves garlic, minced (I just toss in some garlic powder)

1 tbsp. and 1 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. chili powder

2 bay leaves

1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper (I put a little less than it calls for b/c it's so spicy)

3/4 tsp. salt

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (I tend to put a bit more b/c I like it so much, but I warn you that it is strong)

2/3 onion, chopped

2/3 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes (I use Rotell)

4 cups chicken broth

3-1/4 boneless chicken breasts, chopped (or shredded)

1 can of corn (optional)

1 can of black beans (optional)

Combine chicken broth and spices in large pot over low heat.  Throw in cilantro, onion, tomatoes, black beans, and chicken.  Simmer over heat for a while (from 1 hour to all day in a crock pot).  Add corn 10 minutes before serving time.  Garnish with sour cream, cheese, and tortilla chips.  Enjoy!  

Note: I choose to make my own chicken broth, so the amount is normally a little more than what the recipe calls for.  If you feel like the soup is too "soupy," you can add more tomatoes, chicken, corn, etc.  Essentially this is one of those "throw it together" recipes.  :]

     Let me know what you think if you make it.  Wigal and I tweaked the recipe a lot, so feel free to do the same.  What have you been waiting to make this fall/winter?  Wanna share the recipe?  ;]

     Oh, and I'll share my other favorite soup recipe soon, as well as one I found online that I want to try.  Stay tuned!

-Abby :]