Nothing Fancy; Tortilla Soup

The best thing about this soup is how flexible it is, vegetarian? use vegetable broth, add more legumes and leave out the chicken.  Carnivore? add more meat.  Allergy issues? leave out the dairy or corn chips etc.

Additionally, it can be all made from canned items or it can be made fresh from your garden.  

Rosa’s Tortilla Soup 

·        14 1/2 oz can undrained whole tomatoes (about 5 fresh diced tomatoes)

·        1 small onion 

·        1 cup fresh cilantro

·        2 minced garlic cloves

·        1/4 teaspoon sugar (this can be omitted)

·        10 cups chicken (fat-free or low sodium) or vegetable broth

·        1 tablespoon cumin

·        1 teaspoon black pepper

·        1 can black beans drained

·        1 can Mexicorn or sweet corn drained (about 3 cobs of fresh corn and one small jalapeno or chili)

·        optional 4 chicken breast, cooked and chopped (or chopped raw chicken can be used if allowed to cook for 30 min)

·        1-2 diced avocados (optional)

·        2 cups low fat cheese (I prefer sharp cheddar)

·        tortilla chips

·        Salsa

·        Sour Cream

1.)         In blender/ food processor combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, and sugar; blend until chunky.

2.)        In a large soup pot combine tomato mixture and broth; simmer 20 minutes.  Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. (cooked, chopped chicken breast can be added at this time)

3.)        Pour hot soup into bowls, sprinkle with cheese and tortilla chips.

4.)        Serve hot.

Nothing Fancy

I'm thinking about starting a series of post about food.  The title being "Nothing Fancy".  I have the glorious privilege of having married someone whose family is from the South, Mississippi to be exact.  When we lived on the West Coast and would come back to visit family we always ate the best of Southern food; and my Mother in Law always said "It's nothing fancy, just what I know you'll like" 

She was right, the foods aren't fancy but they are delicious and sometimes a little labor intensive. 

Aunt Fannie's Squash Casserole (from the now closed Atlanta restaurant Aunt Fannie's Cabin)

• 3 lbs. yellow squash

• 1/2 cup chopped onion

• 1/2 cup bread crumbs

• 1/2 tsp. black pepper

• 2 eggs

• 1 stick butter

• 1 tsp. sugar

• 1 tsp. salt

Wash and cut squash. Boil until tender, drain thoroughly, then mash.  

Add all ingredients except 1/2 of butter to squash.  

Melt remaining butter.  

Pour mixture in baking dish, then spread melted butter over top, sprinkle with bread crumbs.  

Bake in 375* oven for approx. one hour or until brown on top.