Chicken Tortellini Soup

recipe adapted from Pampered Chef
I saw this recipe and had to try it...I took a couple taste and wasn't thrilled but I think it is because I had a big lunch and I am so stuffed.  Will try again for dinner and will sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.  If that doesn't work I will had another teaspoon of sesame oil.  Hard to believe put sesame oil taste great in chicken noodle soup.

Ingredients

1 cup carrots sliced
1/2 cup canned corn drained
1/2 cup onions chopped
1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-in. cubes
4 chicken bouillons
7 cups of water
1 cup cheese-filled tortellini, uncooked
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp fresh parsley, snipped
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sesame oil
*** I bought a rotisserie chicken from Costco and used that instead of cooking chicken myself.  I couldn't pass up a Costco chicken...LOVE THEM.

DIRECTIONS 1. Put 7 cups of water and 4 bouillon's in a pot, then add all the sliced vegetables and corn. 
Cook chicken over medium heat 5-7 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Add remaining ingredients except parsley. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover; reduce heat. Simmer over medium-low heat 20 minutes or until pasta is tender. Meanwhile, snip parsley with Professional Shears. Just before serving, remove bay leaf and stir in parsley.

Super Bowl Party

I always love getting together with Katie and her family. 

 These are just a few of the things she was serving. 

Click here for the cupcake recipe.

Better than Take Out Orange Chicken

 Recipe from The Pastry Chef    

 This recipe is definitely going into my GO~TO recipe binder.  

Ingredients
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-1/2” cubes
1 ½ cups corn starch
1 cup panko bread crumbs
2 eggs, beaten
1teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Oil (for frying)

Orange Sauce
1 ½ cups water
1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon orange zest, grated
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon ginger root, minced
½ teaspoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons green onion, chopped
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water
Next time I will add:
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/2 sliced bell peppers
1/2 cup peanuts

1. Combine corn starch, salt, and pepper. Prepare a bowl with beaten eggs, another with panko bread crumbs and another with corn starch. Dip chicken in egg mixture, dredge in cornstarch, then again in the eggs and finally in the panko bread crumbs, set aside. Heat pan with vegetable oil to 375 degrees, fry chicken in batches until completely cooked.
2. In a large saucepan combine 1 ½ cups water, orange juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Blend well over medium heat for a few minutes. Stir in brown sugar, orange zest, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil.
3. Combine 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup water and mix thoroughly. Slowly stir cornstarch mixture into sauce until it thickens. Pour sauce over breaded chicken, and if desired garnish with green onions. 

Tortilla Soup

I decided to make Tortilla Soup with the leftover meat I had from making tamales. 

Recipe

4 cups cooked and shredded pork or chicken

5 cups of water

1 can black beans

1 cup frozen corn

2 chicken bouillions cubes

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon coriander

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

2 teaspoon chili powder

1/3 cup cheddar cheese

1/2 red bell pepper diced

1 yellow onion chopped
4 oz can of diced green chili's

Add all the ingredients except the cooked chicken into a large pot and cook for 45 minues on medium heat.  Add the cooked chicken and cook for another 20 minutes.
Salt to taste, remember the tortilla chip are salty.

Garnish with crushed tortilla chips, cilantro, sour cream,cheddar
cheese,  green onions and lime.