Green Chile Lime Soup

I made this the other night, and it is SO GOOD.   Of course I didn't have all the lime juice  nor the cilantro, but I did have a can of Rotel with lime juice and I used that.  I think it would have been just a bit better had I added more lime, but it was still great!!!

GO MAKE THIS!  

Green Chile Chicken and Lime Soup

Green Chili Chicken and Lime Soup

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves fresh or roasted garlic, minced (I used a jar of roasted garlic, it was phenomenal!)
80 oz chicken broth, 2 1/2 cartons of the 32 oz
10 oz can rotel tomatoes, mild
7 oz can diced green chilies
4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts; cooked, shredded and lightly seasoned with salt and pepper
2 1/2 Cups cooked rice of choice, I used basmati
1/4 Cup fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
Pinches of Kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper and Lawry’s Garlic Salt with Parsley to taste
1 bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
Fresh diced avocados, drizzled with lime juice
1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
Tortilla chips
1.  Place oil into a large dutch oven over medium heat.  Saute onion for 5 minutes then add in garlic; cook for 1 minute.  Stir in chicken broth, tomtoes, green chilies, chicken breast, rice, lime juice and seasonings.  Cook for 5 minutes; taste and season according to your liking.  Right before serving add chopped cilantro.
2.  Serve soup with fresh diced avocado, shredded cheese and crushed chips if desired.  If you can handle the heat, squeeze some Siracha over top, yum!!
10-12 servings

Merry Christmas to you!!

Taking a short break from my usual Christmas Eve madness/rush in the kitchen to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year.  Thanks for reading and praying ... thankful to reach the age of 45 tomorrow ... trying to make the most out of life.

Last week, my sister-n-law left this world leaving behind two children and a husband that loved her very much.  A two year battle with cancer (I think uterine? -- in there anyway)  We were battling at the same time, and sadly never got to know each other well - except in spirit.  We were fighting the same fight -- struggling here a bit with just "all of it" -- but God has been gracious enough to grant me more time ... to Him be the glory.

I will share a story next week that my husband shared me with about his brother and his love.   Get tissues ready!

Now without any small children in the house, Christmas is being established in a new way, having to share with in laws and such ... Stephen working Christmas Day this year -- if you know me I need a plan, still trying to figure out that one.  A new grandbaby next Christmas will lighten things up a bit!!  So excited!!

He even has a facebook page already (huge eyeroll) thanks to my son!  Silly.

Here he is!! 

Here's our menu plan -- super easy this year, not going with the traditional big dinner on Christmas any more.   Making things ahead that I only need to put in the oven / crockpot / or on the table!!

Christmas Eve

Chocolate Eclair Dessert (low fat - its easy with this, sugar free too!)

Ham and Swiss Rolls   (with changes of course)

Chips - Dip - Veggie Tray 

Christmas Day

Meatballs (crockpot)

Baked Ziti  (already made and in the fridge!)

Veggie / Antipasto Tray 

Bread Sticks

Chips / Cracker / Buffalo Chicken Dip / Cream Cheese with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce

Nana's Apple Salad

Cookies! 

Fruit 

Pop / Cider / Egg Nog / Hot Cocoa 

These are some of the ones we make EVERY Christmas ....wouldn't be the same with out them!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies   (Sarai' and Roy LOVE these!)

Toffee Bars

Swedish Gingersnaps    Stephen loves

Sugar Cookie Bars

Cut Out Cookies  (can't find link??)

Jam Thumbprints    Lexi likes these

Josh doesn't really have a favorite, he probably likes the fruit or apple salad the best... lol

Much of these will be heading out the door with the kids when they go home too!  Too tempting!

Merry Christmas!!!  

Thanksgiving Menu

Going to be about a dozen of us this year ... super excited.  I loved growing up with our house  filled to the brim with family.  My kids missed out on that -- but now that they are older and have some family of their own, we are doing it big!   Lexi's family will be joining us this year so that's wonderful.  I hope it becomes a tradition for years to come .... and next year, Lord willing, we'll have a little guy to spoil and enjoy.

Roast Turkey  (Lexi and I will both make one!)

Stuffing / Gravy  -- the only stuffing I do is in a box, so they are doing that ...

Baked Ham

Sweet Potatoes (fresh sweet potatoes, with some brown sugar/spices)

Mashed Potatoes -- Lexi's Cooking

Green Bean Casserole -- Lexi / Mom Cooking

Cheesy Corn (Laura is bringing!)

Pumpkin Rolls - Lexi requested these from me.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Deviled Eggs  --  Lexi's Mom

Cheese Ball / Crackers  -- Lexi's Mom

Cream Cheese smothered in Raspberry Chipotle Sauce / Crackers

Veggie Tray  -- Sarai!

Cherry Pie  -- Lexi

Pumpkin Pie  -- Lexi

Pecan Pie  -- Me for Hub!

Vanilla Ice Cream - Lexi

Cheesecake / Lowfat   -- Me!

Lofthouse Homemade Version Cookies -- I'll share if they were good!

Nana's Apple Salad -- always!

I pray that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and you don't have to spend it alone .... if so, you are more than welcome at our gathering!!

Menu Plan Monday ... 30 August 2010

Cereal isn't going to cut it anymore, I don't like cereal for breakfast but I do not mind it for dinner.
Rice Krispies with strawberries and skim milk=Yum!
(Hub doesn't agree, but the boys never minded)

Would you believe school hasn't started for Leavenworth yet?   School remodeling and building weren't completed on time ... 7 September is the day!



Here's some meals I can make/or want to make, but at least if I have options, its easier.  Hub doesn't get home till 8pm and I can't eat that late.

Grilled Cajun Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

Salad and Veggies and Fruit (always on the plates now)

Grilled Turkey Sandwiches with Tomatoes (made this for hub last week, he really liked it.  Of course it had bacon in his ... anything with bacon is good!)  (Like a Panini, but I don't have one of those grills!)

Chicken Spaghetti

Naan Pizza on the Grill  (using Naan flat breads to make pizza on grill)  Not sure about doing my own dough on there yet!)

Vegetable Bean Soup with Spinach (it is gets cold!)

Lemon Pepper Tilapia

Hamburger Special with Orzo (hub really likes this -- and has asked for it!)

I've been craving Buffalo Chicken .... so will probably make that one night. 

Menu Plan Monday -- March 29th

Easter Week -- I've been playing Farmville on Facebook, since a little before Christmas.  I'm not a veteran farmer -- some people have amazing farms -- I get tired of it and go back to Cafe World - and then I get suckered in by eggs ... they are Easter Eggs by the way, NOT Spring Eggs.  How dumb.

The kids should close on their house on Wednesday.  Then busy season will kick in -- lots of painting and cleaning and move and organizing.  Then I get to get my house straightened up when all their stuff leaves!!   They will be missed, but I am glad for them.   God is blessing them amazingly.  

Sunday -- out to lunch with Sarai and Stephen

Monday -- Vegetable Beef Soup (it's made, it just didn't get eaten....)

Tuesday -- Lemon Pepper Tilapia, Rice and Veggies

Wednesday -- Chicken Bulgogi, Rice and Veggies

Thursday -- Pasta, Salad

Friday -- Pizza

Trying to decide what to make for Easter lunch .... I have a turkey in the freezer and a roast -- so it will be one or the other. 

Menu Plan Monday ... March 22

   We had a bunch of snow over the weekend, one of my bosses totalled his truck ... thankfully no one was hurt, but the truck didn't fare as well.

  I haven't been feeling that great -- hate that -- makes my mind work overtime.

I am keeping my trust and faith in the Lord.  Even if I have to remind myself of this twenty times a day.


Here's the plan:

Monday -- Chicken Chili, Jasmine Rice, Veggies and Fruit   (make Fried Rice for lunches)

Tuesday -- Tortellini Soup (using Ground White Turkey) 

Wednesday -- Vegetable Beef Soup

Thursday -- Lemon Pepper Tilapia, Orzo, Salad, Veggies and Fruit

Friday -- Chicken Cutlets, Veggies and Sweet Potatoes

Saturday -- Chicken Bulgogi, Jasmine Rice, Veggies

Other things I want or can make:

Sugar Cookies for the kiddos

Pizza Cups for lunches

Bertolli Skillet Meals

Please pray for me ... I am getting weary ... pray for the house closing -- the mortgage company needs to get with the program to meet the auction companie's requests.

Menu Plan Monday -- March 15

It's been a crazy Monday -- the poor kids are scrambling to get paperwork for the mortgage company -- why do they always wait till the very last??

They want a copy of a cashed check, PLUS a letter from the bank having the name on the account, the account number, the amount of the check and what date it cleared, signed by a bank representative on bank letterhead.  They are going to think we've lost it.

Quiet weekend, Roy started his new job today -- and he is sick --and his first mission?  Was to drive up to Atchison (his old work) to deliver miss delivered mail.  LOL.   Too funny.

Made Crockpot BBQ Chicken, Unfried Cabbage, Spinach and Sweet Potatoes for Sunday lunch. 

Monday -- Not sure about tonight -- there is plenty of leftovers, so will probably go with that.

Have a few appointments for physical therapy and eyes so will do the list this week, and cook what I am in the mood to cook for that evening -- our freezer is packed, so trying to eat from there.

Corned Beef, Cabbage and Boiled Potatoes/Carrots
Sloppy Joes, Oven Baked Fries, Veggies and Salad
Tilapia, Rice and Veggies and Salad
Chicken Bulgogi, Rice, Veggies and Salad
Homemade Pizza
Hamburger Patty Special, Orzo and Veggies and Salad
Chicken Chili

Baked Southwestern Egg Rolls

Menu Plan Monday -- March 8th

It was a beautiful weekend weather wise -- I think we have rain on the horizon .... the ground is soaked already, we really do not need more right now. 

Lexi and I took ALL the animals to the vet on Saturday.  That was an ADVENTURE.

We found out Cloud is actually a BOY.  I told them, but they wouldn't listen ... yeah.   A BOY. 

Later that evening, Lexi brought Trixi downstairs and asked me to look at her.  OH MY.   That started a little whirlwind trip to the emergency vet in Kansas City.   Her face was HUGELY swollen, she didn't look so good.   Lexi held her and I drove .... thankful the vet on duty did not charge for the exam.   It is  normally $80.00.  The receptionist said that she is one of the vets who do not charge for the exam for this sort of problem out of professioinal courtesy.  Awesome!   We only had to pay for the meds.   She is doing better today.  I don't think I can handle the loss of another dog just yet ... if ever.  =0)

My co-workers will both be on leave starting tomorrow and Wednesday -- so it shall be busy here.  I'm  thrilled.

Monday -- Chicken Quesadillas, Brown Rice, Veggies, Salad

Tuesday -- Hamburger Patty Special, Orzo, Veggies and Salad

Wednesday -- Bertolli Skillet Meal, Veggies and Salad

Thursday -- Lemon Pepper Tilapia, Brown Rice / Rice Cooker Mac & Cheese, Veggies & Salad

Friday -- Sloppy Joes, Oven Fries, Veggies and Salad

Saturday -- Chicken Fried Rice

Sunday -- Crockpot BBQ Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Cheesy Ranch Potatoes, Veggies and Salad

Also going to make a batch of Breakfast Cookies (and use Agave Nectar for the sugar), Cookies for Stephen's teacher (any suggestions?) and a batch of Vanilla Rice Pudding and will be trying yogurt again in my yogurt maker.  I am going to buy some greek yogurt and use that as the starter yogurt.

We'll be handling Children's Church on Sunday -- so lots to prepare for that!   Have a great week!!

Menu Plan Monday -- 1 March 2010

Happy Monday!   {eyeroll}  So didn't want to go to work today ... when I am motivated to get things done at the house like this morning .... here I am at work.

Busy week this week, lots of things on the agenda.

The seller for the house, offered to pay  up to $2940. in closing costs.  How awesome is that?   God has been blessing my son.   He is a cheerful giver  -- at times puts me to shame, and those twice his age.  =)

Monday -- Baked Ziti, Salad and Bread   (mixed this up yesterday with some leftover pasta and sauce!)

Tuesday -- Bulgogi, Rice and Veggies

Wednesday -- Chicken Fried Rice and Leftovers

Thursday -- Chicken Cutlets, Some kind of Potatoes, Veggies

Friday -- Work Event ... so they will probably get fast food.  (Spring Food Fair!)

Saturday -- Homemade Pizza

Sunday -- Undecided ... I am craving Chinese Food!

Pizza Cups

The kids didn't have anything for lunch today -- so I made a pan of those Pizza Cups in about 15 minutes, start to finish.  Super EASY. 

They decided that the cheapy Aldi biscuits are better than the Grand's.   Last time we used the Reduced Fat Wheat (because I had them from a coupon) but I took one bite to try them.  Nope.    This is a pretty good low-fat lunch as well.   I didn't take any today and left it all for them, but I am thinking I should make a few pans full and pop them in the freezer and they would be an ideal snack and/or lunch options at a decent price.

I'll try to get a photo next time!  

P.S.   I go see Dr. Shwaiki tomorrow -- and the stress begins.  LOL!  Thanks for your prayers!

National Pancake Day -- 2010

Interupting regularly scheduled menu planning (yeah, right!) with Pancakes for Dinner today.

Do something fun today and make breakfast for dinner!

Keys to a successful pancake breakfast for dinner

Nate the Great's Pancake Recipe

Menu Plan Monday -- Feb 21

I didn't keep to the plan that much  -- mainly because I was a little lazy and ended up going somewhere Wednesday, so I left them to fend for themselves after cooking some fries and turkey sausage.

I thought I'd just make a list of meals I can make and then decide that day or the night before -- most times its what I do anyway.  I have all these in the pantry.  Its a good week to use my budget to stock up on cereal and or other things that are a great price.

More snow is on the horizon .. JOY.

Shredded Chicken Tacos -- Chili's Style

Homemade Chicken Enchiladas -- I read this tip where you spray the corn tortillas with PAM Spray and then put them in the oven to crisp up.  Going to try that.

Pizza Cups -- I thought this would be good to have in the fridge for them to heat up for snacks/lunches.

Lemon Pepper Tilapia, Rice, Salad and Veggies  (going to have fish once a week from NOW on.)

Roast in the Crockpot   (will put in crockpot for ease ...)

Tortilla Soup  (won't use oil to saute the veggies/chiles though)

I'm also going to try a new recipe for Fried Rice, I will let you know if that comes out good.  Also going to cook a pot of black beans to put in the freezer -- I LOVE black beans.  Yumo.

Creole Rice with Sausage and Shrimp

Menu Plan on Tuesday ...

I know its Tuesday, but I didn't work yesterday and was a little busy.
I think the Ladies Valentine Tea went exceptionally well.  The decorations and food were awesome.  It was a lot of work, so I'm glad its over but wouldn't mind doing it again someday ... we need to do something for the men now.




Sunday -- We went to Lone Star Steakhouse - I had a salad, sweet potatoes and a 6oz steak. Yum.

Monday -- Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Biscuits, Veggies

Tuesday -- Hamburger Special, Orzo, Salad/Veggies

Wednesday -- Spaghetti and Meatballs, Bread, Salad / Veggies

Thursday -- Grands Taco Melts,  (using chicken) Mexican Rice in the Slow Cooker

Friday -- Healthified Chicken Breast Cacciatore

Saturday -- Lemon Pepper Tilapia, Rice and Salad and Veggies

Sunday -- Ranch Style Chicken ( I won't fry it in oil) Fluffy New Potatoes, Salad Veggies

Found this recipe -- which I might replace something else with!  Quick and Tasy Mexican Casserole!

Most of our menu I adjust to make it less fat and healthier, but i just link to the recipes in case you want them!

Here's a new week!  I didn't keep to the plan that much, but at least we had one.   It is going to be a busy week with the International Flag Ceremony and the Valentine Ladies Tea at church on Saturday, plus my hub's birthday on Sunday!!

He wanted some goats for this birthday ... he's so weird.  Gotta love him and I do.
He also has a job interview this morning at 1000, so please pray the Lord will open or close this door according to His will.

Monday -- Dorito Casserole, Salad, Corn

Tuesday -- Grands' Taco Melts (using chicken), Salad, Mexican Rice in the Slow Cooker

Wednesday -- Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup, Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Veggies/Fruit

Thursday --Lemon Pepper Tilipia, Rice, Veggies, Fruit, Salad

Friday -- Chicken Spaghetti or Hamburger Special (will let hub decide!)

Saturday -- Ladies Tea

Sunday -- Roy's 50th Birthday -- probably out to eat. / Happy Valentine's Day too!

Have a great week!!    I subbed for Sunday School yesterday.  I love our teens, they are not perfect, (who is?)  but they are awesome individuals!   Missed them. 

Menu Plan Monday

Found this cool MPM image on my niece's blog.  How cool is this?
There I went getting sidetracked with the cares of life, I do so much better when I have a plan.   Keeps me focused.
Please pray for Lexi today, she started her new job.  To be honest, its 98% women over there and women in leadership positions, so there is lots of drama.  ugh.  I'd much rather have a man as a supervisor ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.   Much less hormonal drama.  

Sunday -- Crockpot BBQ Chicken, Cheesy Ranch Potatoes, Cabbage/Peppers/Onions

Monday -- Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, Salad and Biscuits (hub requested meal!)

Tuesday -- Tortellini Soup, Salad/Fruit/Bread  (Going to crockpot it ... easy)

Wednesday -- Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup, Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Veggies/Fruit

Thursday -- Aldi Oriental Noodles / Rice

Friday -- Homemade Pizza / Salad

Saturday -- Taking two little ladies from our church out to lunch -- so hot dogs/turkey sausage for them if they want it.

When we went to Ladies Night Out they had some food vendors and I tried their cabbage, just a tiny taste.  Boy was it good!   They had cabbage, onions and peppers in it.  I'm sure they used a bunch of oil, but I put all of those ingredients in a big pan sprayed with Pam and after cooking for a while added some water and a teaspoon of the Better than Brouillon Chicken Base.   Even Stephen ate a bunch!

Menu Plan #3

I ended up making Buffalo Chicken Casserole on Thursday since I had everything.
It was pretty yummy!   I didn't do the bleu cheese though, low-fat Ranch is more our style.  I just drizzled a bit on.  Good stuff.

I am now totally out of my free/close to free canned organic tomatoes.  I had a BUNCH thanks to coupons, but that one used my last can.  Wish there were coupons out there like that again!!

Hub gets a three-day weekend (for a change) then goes to 9am-6pm work shift.  Stinks.  He is applying out of that post office.   Pray the Lord opens a door close to home -- or wherever His will is.

Our mudroom refrigerator bit the dust -- I think we bought that new in 1988 so it lasted a long time.  We definitely need to find another, we keep extra milk in there that doesn't fit in the inside one.   Probably Craigs List will be our friend for this.   It would have helped to check the breaker.  what a WASTE.  Had a fire in the wall in there too!   Everytime hub is scheduled to teach at church -- things get stirred up.

Here's what I plan on making -- not sure what day for each, but at least I know what I have and can make that.  I like to eat out with the rest of you, but its so expensive to do that all the time. 

Green Chili Rice --   my hub loves green chile

Mexican Rice in the Rice Cooker

Rice Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

I need to pick up my free rice cooker at Wal-Mart.  I thought the kids would like the Mac & Cheese.  I personally can do without.  I only like the horrid boxed kind and we don't buy that anymore.  I did pick up a couple of boxes of Annie's Organic a few weeks back, yet to be used.   In looking through the freezer/pantry, I found quite a few meals I can make -- which was awesome.   I plan to get back into couponing and stocking up on sales.  

Baked or BBQ Chicken Legs (found them in the fridge fiasco)

Tortellini Soup and Italian Cheese Bread  (its this or Beefaroni / only one pkg of meat!)

Homemade Pizza

Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup

Aldi Oriental Noodles and Rice

Brats are in the freezer too, I only eat the Turkey ones, but they all like these.

Homemade Beefaroni

Chicken Nuggets

Polish Turkey Sausage

Turkey (still didn't make this!)

Frozen Meatballs

Beef Stew in the Crockpot

I personally do not care for beef stew with a brown sauce.  {shudder}  I grew up with beef stew in a red/tomato sauce, so that is how I cook it. 

Beef stew meat  (or cheap round steak/leftover roast)
1 small onion, diced
6 potatoes (I had red on hand)
1 bag mini carrots
3 stalks celery
salt, pepper, italian seasoning, garlic powder
1 large can tomato sauce
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables

Brown meat and diced onion in a frying pan on the stove.
Peel (or don't peel), but wash potatoes and cut in large chunks
Cut carrots and celery into eatable pieces.

Put everything in the crockpot except for the frozen veggies.  Cook on low all day.  About 30  minutes prior to serving, add the frozen veggies and heat through.
Serve with crusty bread, or bread sticks. 

You can add a can of beef broth if you like.  I usually don't but just rinse out the pan from the meat with a little water and put that in the crockpot.  

Menu Plan Monday (from the pantry and freezer week!)

Going to be a week eating from what we have ... then I need to stock up, because things are getting low.  Waiting for good sales!!

Work shouldn't be as busy this week -- last week was too stressful for this girl.  It got old quick.
Frozen pipes and talking to all these new students.

Sunday -- Tilipia, Buttered Orzo, Corn, Salad and Pineapple

Monday -- Beef Stew in the Crockpot (my own creation!)

Tuesday -- Red Chile Chicken, Veggies (thanks for the chicken Sis!)

Wednesday -- Chicken Noodle Soup (from a box!)  Grilled Cheese, Veggies

Thursday -- Aldi Oriental Noodles, Rice

Friday -- Hot Dogs, Macaroni and Cheese, Veggies

Soup Creation

A little throw off my Tortellini Soup and Pasta E Fagoli -- but I didn't have everything to make either.

1 pound ground beef or turkey, cooked and crumbled.
1 small onion, diced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
3 stalks celery, diced
1.5 cups of so of diced carrots.

1 large can tomato juice
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can red kidney beans, undrained.

I cooked the meat, then rinsed and drained all the fat off. Return to pot and cook with onion and garlic for 4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Let simmer for about 30-45 minutes until vegetables are tender.

In another post, cook small pasta. You can add the pasta directly to the soup pot after cooked, but we always add a scoop to the bowl and ladle the soup over. I don't like it when the pasta absorbs all the liquid when there are leftovers. Yuck.

Serve with Parmesan cheese, and crusty bread for a good meal.

My husband never complains about what he eats, but also very rarely says anything -- but he asked if this was a recipe -- he really liked it. We will definitely throw this together again.

How to make Homemade Hamburger Helper

I thought I'd share this one ... I haven't bought a box of Hamburger Helper in a few years now.  Sure, its cheap but the nutritional value is probably zero.  

Absolutely LOVE The Chickens in the Road blog!  She did write fiction before moving to her farm but she makes her living through writing.  We can relate to a lot of her learning -- especially how to make a fire in a wood stove!

She has a long list of the different types of Hamburger Helper and how to make them from scratch.

This is her photo -- I've not made any yet.