Quick Salsa Soup

This was my go to meal after having my babies...it was soo easy to have already seasoned wrapped chicken breast in the freezer or frigde. All you have to do is add it to the soup, let it simmer and serve.  If you have freezer space, this can be a make ahead and stored in freezer safe containers to prepare at will. More time to spend with the new baby than standing at the stove.


Braised chicken breast ( about 8 ounces or two boneless chicken halves)
1 3/4 c. water
1 3/4 c. (14 1/2 oz. can) reduced fat chicken broth , Once I used the bullion and made the same amount of broth
1- 2 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 c. frozen corn... the loose kind was suggested in the original recipe... but fresh corn will work excellent too if you have it on hand
1 c. Salsa!!!
1/2 c Pepper jack or your fav. cheese shredded for topping
some tortilla chips!

When the chicken's not cooked I start by prepping the chicken with (optional s/p) and chili powder, braise it in a sauce pan,  then I add it to the water/broth. Bring it to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer covered for 8 min. Add in th corn and cook uncovered until the meat is done(no pink). Stir in the salsa! :D Let that get heated thoroughly. Get out the bowls, spoons and chips.
Serve sprinkled with cheese and a side of chips. Oh boy I Love this soup...yum!
I love when a magazine includes the nutritional facts

Only 190 cal. per serving and 6g total fat(3.5g salt fat), 50 mg chol. 800 mg sodium, 17 g total carb, 2 g fiber, 3 g sugars, 20 g protein. The daily values are 10% vit. A. 8 % vit. C, 10% Calcium, 6% Iron.

taken from The very best baby magazine
try www.verybestbaby.com/recipes

Herb mixes

My favorite seasoning honestly is Salt. Salt is the Base for most savory cuisine and the catalyst for sweets. Sprinkle herbs and Seasoning, then salt plays the supporting role is every bite. When it's too much ... ruine. When it's just the right amount all the other flavors chin and grin, like they're doing all the work!
When I'm working with spices, I feel like a scientist so I experiment a lot :) .

Himalayan Salt Benefits

*Fine Herbs

I have a little herb book that's old but not antique, I keep it because I love the dainty pictures, the recipes and remedies. I also love Mother Earth's Site...Chervil and tarragon.. Check it out and learn about how to use herbs and their benefits.

Suggested uses for this mix:

• omelets and other eggs dishes. 
• I love it for Steamed, Baked or Broiled Talapia...just a little splashed of lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt at the end. mmmm

Other dishes to use Chervil

• green salad
• steamed or boiled beets
• beet salad
• mashed, steamed, boiled, fried or baked potatoes or sweet potatoes

Mix Fine Herbs

1 tsp. chopped fresh chervil

1 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon

1 tsp. chopped fresh chives or scallions.

Mix together the ingredients add at the very end of cooking or if it's an uncooked dish just before serving.

My Bar-b-q seasoning spin on the Neely's

1 1/2 c. paprika (hot)

3/4 c. sugar or brown sugar or a mix of both

3 3/4 Tbsp. garlic powder or Garlic Salt

Mix the seasonings and store for 6 months. 
Makes 2 1/2 c.

Chile-thyme Spice Mix For seasoning potatoes and corn...I'm not sure where I gleaned this recipe from...if someone knows I'd love to post it with this entry, because it's just so good. It looks and sounds like something...Roger Mooking would whip up.

It's like the Old bay seasoning, only rustic/chunky. Almost Everyone Knows Old Bay...to me it's the smell of Baltimore City Harbor. With the old Old Bay factory ... I worked there as a teen one summer, in the mail room. The Smell of Seasonings...I loved coming there everyday! One of my fondest memories.

Makes about 1/4 c.

2 dried chiles de arbol, stemmed

4 tsp. coarse sea salt

4 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

4 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

Chiles de arbol are available at better supermarkets and at Latin Markets

Pulse chiles in a spice grinder until coarsely ground. Transfer ground chiles to a small bowl and add salt. Scatter lemon zest on a 6x6 in. piece of parchment paper and microwave on high for 1 min. Add thyme to parchment and microwave until dry about 1 min. 30 sec.( time will vary). let cool and lightly crush zest and thyme; combine with ground chiles and salt.  Do ahead: Spice mix may be made a week ahead. Store in a airtight container at room temperture.

Vegetarian: A Spiffy Salads or Spicy Tortilla?

Who said salads had to be limited to lettuce and low fat dressings ( even though I like those . . . a lot )? Whenever I think of my Grandmother Ernestine I remember her Waldorf salad, because of her I have some sweet ideas for salads, odd and traditional. Matter of fact your salad can become a rainbow!
#1 - Citrus Rainbow Salad, to make this salad remember Roy G. Biv. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet.
Begin by adding in crazins (red), mandarin oranges ( orange, obviously ), then shake up lemon juice olive oil and a few spices, for dressing ( 1Tbsp with 1tsp of sugar if you like, ( somewhat yellow ), grape slices ( green), or you could use shredded lettuce :) or the mixed lettuce greens there's purple (with hues of blue and indigo). I also love olives, and julienne purple carrots.