Spicy Black Bean and Chicken Soup

I am so glad to be back to my blog!  My laptop has been acting up and wouldn't connect to our WIFI for more than 5 minutes. I finally found time to take it in and got it fixed, or so they said.  One day back with my computer and I am already having connection issues.  So this sucker will probably be back to be repaired this weekend.  Everyone keep your fingers crossed that they will finally just replace the dang thing and Steve can help me pick out a computer that actually works!

I am very excited for this recipe!  It was easy and one of my new favorites!

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup salsa (we used medium salsa)
• 1 package taco seasoning (we used a chipotle taco seasoning)
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (optional)
• Tortilla chips (optional)

1. Place chicken in crock pot. Pour broth, beans, corn, salsa, and taco seasoning over chicken. 
2. Cook on low for 6 hours (or high for 3 hours). 
3. Remove chicken and shred. Re-add chicken.
4. Add almond milk to crock pot and stir (if you are not dairy free, add sour cream and cheese)
5. Serve with tortilla chips (we had rice and tortillas with our soup)

We had left overs of this which I ate for lunch the next day.  It thickened up over night and made a wonderful rice bowl.

Because we used medium salsa and chipotle taco seasoning it was extremely spicy!  I had to eat every bite with rice.  Steve loved it, but he loves spicy!

Enjoy!
Bry

Avocado, Black Bean and Corn Salsa

Ingredients:

• 1 whole very firm avocado, diced
• 1 cup of corn, rinse and drained, thawed if frozen
• 1 cup of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 1 small jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
• Juice of 1 lime, to taste
• Plenty of chopped cilantro
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon vinegar

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate before serving.  Serve with chips, chicken, tacos, etc etc.



Bry

Sweet Potato Enchiladas

These sweet potato enchiladas were amazing.  They were filling and full of flavor.  Definitely a new favorite in my house.



Quickie Green Chile Sauce (I like more sauce so next time I will double this):

• 1 cup light vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon corn starch dissolved in a little cold water
• 1 generous cup chopped roasted green chiles- hot or mild
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin or chili powder, hot or mild, to taste

Sweet Potato Filling:

• 2 heaping cups cooked sweet potatoes, mashed
• 1 15-oz can organic black beans, rinsed, drained
• 1/2 cup of chopped onion
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• Lime juice from 1 big lime
• 1 small jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped, more for spicier flavor
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or curry, mild or spicy, as you prefer
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

• 10-12 corn tortillas
• Shredded cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Boil a pot of water. Boil your sweet potatoes until tender (about 4 small to medium potatoes).
3. While the potatoes are boiling start the chile sauce. Combine the broth, dissolved corn starch, green chiles, garlic and spices in a sauce pan and heating over medium-high heat. Bring to a high simmer. Simmer until it starts to thicken. Taste test. Set aside.
4. When potatoes are finished pull off the peels and mash the insides in a large bowl. Add black beans, onion, garlic, lime, jalapeno, spices, and cilantro. Mix well.
5. Pour about 1/4 cup of the Green Chile Sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.
6. In a skillet and heat a dash of oil. Lightly cook the corn tortillas to soften them, one at a time, as you stuff each one. Dip the corn tortillas in the chile sauce on each side, fill with about 1/4 of a cup of potato stuffing, roll and put in pan. Continue with the rest of the tortillas (10-12). Top with the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle with cheese, if using.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the enchiladas are hot and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.

Enjoy!

Bry

Quinoa Enchiladas

I am not a usually one to invent a recipe, but I have failed to go grocery shopping for the last say week and my poor family has been eating rice and beans and other left overs.  So scraping together what I could find I made this awesome quinoa enchilada!  Use as a taco filling or eat plain or with lettuce.  Anyway this recipe is a keeper in my book.

Ingredients:
 
Enchilada Sauce:

• 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
• 1 packet of enchilada seasoning
• 1 cup of vegetable stock

Quinoa Mix:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 small onion
• 1 small zucchini, pepper, corn or any veggie you want 
• 2 minced cloves or garlic
• 1.5 cups uncooked quinoa
• 3 cups water or vegetable stock
• 2 cups of cooked black beans, rinsed

Sour Cream Mix:
(I made half vegetarian, half chicken)

• 1 cup of sour cream
• 3.5 cups of cheese
•  Lime juice, about 1 lime
• 1-2 cups of shredded chicken (optional)
• 1 small can of sliced olives (optional)
• 1 small can of green chillies (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat up olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium high.  Add onion and zucchini and saute for a few minutes until slightly browned.  Add garlic and cook for about a minute more.  Add quinoa and cook for a few minutes on medium until toasted.  Add 3 cups of water and the black beans to the quinoa.   Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low.  Let cook for about 15 minutes until most of the moister is soaked in, stir and turn off heat, cover til all the water is gone.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. While the quinoa is cooking in another small sauce pan mix the diced tomatoes, tomato paste until it starts to bubble.  Add enchilada seasoning and 1 cup of vegetable broth and bring back to a simmer and allow to thicken.
4. When the quinoa and sauce are done cooking mix quinoa, 2.5 cups of enchilada sauce together.  Add cheese, sour cream, lime juice (chicken, olives, chillies if using).  Mix all together and transfer to a large greased baking pan.  Top enchiladas with left over sauce and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake in the over for about 20 minutes until cheese is melted and center is hot.

Bry

Pico de Gallo

Ingredients

• 5 whole Plum (Roma) Tomatoes
• 1/2 whole Large (or 1 Small) Onion
• 3 whole Jalapeno Peppers (my family are spice wimps so I left these out)
• Cilantro
• Lime Juice
• Salt To Taste

Directions

1. Chop jalapenos, tomatoes and onions into a very small dice. (Leave seeds in your jalapenos for a hotter pico). Adjust amount of jalapenos to your preferred temperature. 
2. Next, chop up a nice-sized bunch of cilantro. Just remove and discard the long leafless stems before chopping. No need to remove the leaves from the stems completely. 
3. Place all of these ingredients together in a bowl and give it a good stir.
4. Squeeze the juice of half of one lime into the bowl. Add salt to taste and stir again.
5. I put my pico in my food processor for a couple quick pulses.  My family enjoys smaller chunks.  Just be careful not to over blend, this isn't salsa.

 

 Bry 

Quinoa Bean Tacos

I borrowed this recipe idea from one of my new favorite gluten free blogs: Giving Up Gluten.  The fun thing about cooking though is you can add and change things as you see fit :)  The recipe I made made enough to last us for the rest of the week, which in a house of Go, Go, Go people that is a good thing, but this recipe could easily be cut in half and be plenty for a family meal.

• 1 15oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 15oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes (I used a couple of fresh tomatoes chopped up finely)
• 1 can corn, drained (I left out the corn, we don't try to eat a lot of corn in my family)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 tsp. olive oil
  
• 2 cups quinoa
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 lime, juice and zest
• 1 tsp. salt
• 4 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 3-4 heaping tablespoons taco seasoning
• Hard or corn taco shells
• Shredded cheese
• Any of your other favorite taco toppings 
• ** I also added 1 small zucchini shredded and about a cup of shredded broccoli

In a large skillet, cook onions and bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until soft.
Add minced garlic and cook 1 min. longer.
Add beans, corn, diced tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, salt, and taco seasoning. Mix well.
Then add quinoa, broth, and lime juice/zest. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated together. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for until most of the water is absorbed and quinoa is cooked, about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.

Bry

Veggie Enchiladas

Ingredients: 
Sauce:

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin, ground 
• ¼ cup flour (I used rice flour since I am gluten free)
• ¼ cup tomato paste 
• 14.5 oz. vegetable broth 
•  Salt and pepper 

Enchiladas: 

• 3 cups (12 oz.) pepper-jack cheese; grated 
• 12 oz. can black beans; rinsed and drained 
• 1 carton (10 oz.) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed ( I ALWAYS use fresh!)
• 11 oz. can corn kernels; drained  ( I used frozen)
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced 
• 1 tsp cumin; ground 
• 16 corn tortillas (6” size) 
• I added red and green pepper for some extra flavor

Directions: 

1. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil and add cumin, flour, and tomato paste. Cook 1 minute, whisking. 
2. Whisk in broth and ¾ cup water. Bring to boil and then simmer until slightly thickened (5-8 min.). Salt and pepper, then set aside.
3. For filling, combine in a large bowl 2 cups cheese (saving 1 cup for topping), beans, thawed spinach, corn, half of green onions, cumin, plus salt and pepper. 
4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
5. Lightly oil a 9x13 baking dish. 
6. Stack tortillas in a damp paper towel and warm 1 min. in microwave. 
7. One-by-one, fill tortillas with about 1/3 cup filling, roll tightly, and arrange in baking dish, seam down. 
8. Cover enchiladas with the sauce and top with remaining cheese. 
9. Bake 15-20 minutes, until sauce is bubbly. 
10. Remove and let cool five minutes. Top with remaining green onions and serve.

Bry

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Chicken Enchilada Soup

• 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 10-ounce package frozen whole kernel corn
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow, green, or red bell pepper
• 1 10.75-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup (I used cream of mushroom, gluten-free recipe posted below)
• 1 1/2 cups milk 
• 1 cup shredded Pepper jack cheese (4 ounces)
• 2 chicken breasts

1. In a 3 1/2 to 5 quart slow cooker, combine drained beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, and bell pepper.  Place 2 chicken breasts on top of mixture.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together enchilada sauce and soup. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Pour sauce mixture over ingredients in cooker.Cover; cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
3. Remove chicken and cut or shred into bite sized pieces. Add chicken back into soup. Note: if the soup is too thick for you, just add a little more milk after it’s all cooked.

Top with pepper jack cheese and serve. Can also be topped with avocado, sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips.

 

Bry


** I just found this recipe for a gluten-free cream of mushroom.  I have never tried it but it looks good

Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 3 mins

Total time: 8 mins

Serves: 3

Using only a blender and a microwave, you can make your own condensed cream of mushroom soup. Easy to customize to your needs and tastes.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to your taste)
• Pinch of sugar
• 8-ounces 2% evaporated milk
• Handful (approx. 3/4 cup) fresh mushrooms, sliced

Directions

1. Put all ingredients except the mushrooms in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Add mushrooms and pulse 2-3 times until mushrooms are chopped.
2. Pour into a 2-quart Pyrex bowl and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes, whisking well after two minutes and again at the end of cooking time. If not thick enough, add 30 seconds and whisk again.

Steak Fajitas

Fajitas

• 1 cup thick and chunky cilantro salsa
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle chili pepper powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lb beef flank steak, trimmed of fat
• 1 sweet onion, cut into 3/4-inch wedges
• 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch strips
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch strips
• 12 low-fat flour tortillas (8 inch) (I used corn)
• Fat-free sour cream, if desired

Relish

• 1 can (11 oz) Green Giant® Niblets® whole kernel sweet corn, drained
• 1 large tomato, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, if desired

1. Spray 3- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, mix salsa, garlic, chili pepper powder, salt and cumin.
2. Cut beef into 3x1/2x1/2-inch strips; stir into mixture in cooker.
3. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 7 hours.
4. Add onion and bell peppers to beef in cooker. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook 30 to 45 minutes longer or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix relish ingredients; set aside.
5. To serve, wrap tortillas in damp microwavable paper towels; heat in microwave on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds or until warm. Spoon about 1/2 cup beef mixture down center of each warm tortilla; top with relish and sour cream. Fold 2 sides of tortilla over filling toward center.

Zesty Corn Combo

• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1 medium red bell pepper, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
• 1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
• 1 medium jalapeño chili, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 bags (1 lb each) frozen whole kernel corn
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook bell peppers and chili in butter 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bell peppers are crisp-tender.
2. Stir in frozen corn, oregano and salt. Cover and cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until corn is tender. Stir in cilantro.

My Favorite Bean Dip

There are a lot of bean dips and a lot of different ways to make them.  My favorite I stole many ideas and recipes from many friends and mixed them together to make my favorite.

I love the Tostadas Bean and Cheese premade dip.  I mix it with a can of re fried beans otherwise the flavor is highly over whelming (and if you don't like spicy it calms the spicy flavor down).  I spread the bean mixture in the bottom of a glass casserole dish.  Then I mix a package of cream cheese with taco seasoning and spread that over the beans, (make sure the cream cheese is soft so it spreads nicely).  Then I put a layer of salsa, enough to cover the dish and add flavor but if you add to much it is to runny and overpowering.  I then add shredded cheese.  If you like tomatoes, olives, guacamole, etc etc feel free to add them.  I then bake the dish for about 30 minutes, or until melted and hot, at around 350.

~Bry