Showing posts with label cheap meal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheap meal. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Chicken & Black Bean Tortilla Soup

Tonight's dinner came from the fact that I had leftover tortilla taco shells from last night, vegetables to use up and chicken in the freezer, plus I watched both Rachel Ray and the Contessa make this on Food Network today.


To start I chopped onions and peppers added some minced garlic and sauteed in melted smart balance. At the same time I poached chicken thighs and chicken breast tenderloins in broth made with bullion.

I added tomatoes that I had diced and a can of chicken stock, then I scraped the bits off the bottom of the pan, which gave the veggies a kind of roasted effect.

I added the following spices.
- Adobo Chili Powder
- Adobo
- Cilantro
- Chili Powder
- Bay Leaves (don't forget to remove)
Use whatever amounts suits your taste buds.

I strained the stock the chicken was cooking in and added it along with a can of corn (kept the liquid to sweeten it a bit) and black beans (these were originally dried, it helps to cook up a bunch at once and freeze them in individual bags, about a cans worth for various recipes)

I broke up my leftover taco shells and served on top of the soup. You can also add the tortilla shells or chips to the soup to thicken it.
My eight year old son made the corn muffins (with a little help & from a box) for our dinner. The best thing was - this made enough to freeze some for another whole meal.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Chicken Chili Mac in the crockpot

Hey all! Proud to say I'm now at 21 weeks, cooking again, working out and feeling good!

Last week we found out that baby #4 is a boy. He's following two boys and a girl and big sis was really hoping and praying for a girl but she is begrudgingly coping.

Anywho - thought I'd start off with something easy, tasty and cheap:)

Here's my Chicken Chili Mac...

This crockpot meal was so simple, I started it before taking my kids to the swim club, and all I had to do was add the macaroni when we came home and then eat! My kids gobbled it up after a long day of swimming (and then my youngest conked out about 15 minutes later).

What's in it?
- two chopped green peppers
- one onion
- one tomato (I would have added more but it was all I had today, diced tomatoes would have been really good too)
- two cans of chili beans
- three chicken breasts
- chili powder, cumin, cilantro and salt to taste
- water (enough to cover the ingredients)
- 1 pound macaroni
- shredded cheese (your choice) for a topping

Everything but the macaroni went into the crockpot early in the day.

When I got home I removed and shredded the chicken, added the macaroni and let it cook till tender, then I put the chicken back and it was ready to serve.

I'm thinking I'll use the leftovers for some Baked Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese. Mmmmmm