Vegetarian Chili

We love this vegetarian chili. It is super easy to make too. We usually serve with a fried corn tortilla and cheese sprinkled on top. Yummm.

Ingredients

4 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced (I use 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) petite diced tomatoes
 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn or 3/4 can of corn
1/2-1 teaspoon chicken boullion (or to taste)


Directions
In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and cumin; cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. If adding garlic powder instead, add with the rest of the ingredients in the next step.

To the pan, add chiles, beans, tomatoes and their juice, 2 cups water, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, partially covered, until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.

In a blender or food processor, puree 2 cups of the stew. Return the puree to the pan, and add frozen or canned corn; simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. I usually add some chicken boullion near the end to add to the flavor. Serve hot.

The Best Ham and Potato Soup

This is my favorite ham and potato soup ever! We even made it once without ham because we were on a vegetarian kick for awhile, and it was still yummy. If you are feeling a little adventurous, you can top with cheese, sour cream, green onions, etc. Enjoy!

Ingredients: 

• 7 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• ⅔ cup diced celery
• ⅔ cup finely chopped onion
• 1½ cup diced cooked ham
• 6½ cups water
• 4 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 2 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste (2 tsp os a bit much, I would put in less)
• 10 tablespoons butter
• 10 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk

Directions:

1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.


2. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.


3. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Take about a cup of soup and blend it up in the blender. Mix back into the soup. Serve immediately.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I found this recipe on thepioneerwoman.com. It is pretty tasty!

Ingredients

• 2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1-½ teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
• ½ teaspoons Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 cup Diced Onion
• ¼ cups Diced Green Bell Pepper
• ¼ cups Red Bell Pepper
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 can Rotel Tomatoes And Green Chilies
• 32 ounces, fluid Low Sodium Chicken Stock
• 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 4 cups Hot Water
• 2 cans Black Beans, Drained
• 3 Tablespoons Cornmeal Or Masa
• 5 whole Corn Tortillas, Cut Into Uniform Strips Around 2 To 3 Inches

Garnishes:

• Sour Cream
• Diced Avocado
• Diced Red Onion
• Salsa Or Pico De Gallo
• Grated Monterey Jack Cheese
• Cilantro

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cumin, chili pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil on chicken breasts, then sprinkle a small amount of spice mix on both sides. Set aside the rest of the spice mix.

Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Use two forks to shred chicken. Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, red pepper, green pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and begin cooking, then add the rest of the spice mix. Stir to combine, then add shredded chicken and stir.

Pour in Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, water, and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.

Mix cornmeal with a small amount of water. Pour into the soup, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Check seasonings, adding more if needed—add more chili powder if it needs more spice, and be sure not to undersalt. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Five minutes before serving, gently stir in tortilla strips.

Ladle into bowls, then top with sour cream, diced red onion, diced avocado, pico de gallo, and grated cheese, if you have it! (The garnishes really make the soup delicious.)