Just For 2 - Chicken Taco Soup

3 INGREDIENTS!  Seriously!  I KNOW!

Ok guys, I have one more amazing recipe using Dei Fratelli products!  I got some fantastic salsa and when I thought about what I wanted to do with it, I thought, "SOUP".  I usually DO think soup to be honest.  I love soup.  You all know this but sometimes I just need to say it, loud and proud!

I had started this "Just for 2" series a few months back.  I have neglected it, but at the same time, was kind of waiting for the right idea to come along.  Since I am a soup freak, I thought it would only be right to have a soup be the next recipe in the serious.  This is a 3 ingredient recipe as I previously mentioned.  Budge friendly AND easy.  I know my parents who are "empty nesters" love having meals just for the two of them.  My mom has forgotten what it is like to cook for two, and they forget about leftovers, and end up throwing things out.  This should be a great solution!

This can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger batch.  Just double or triple the ingredients! HA!

You will need:
2-3 cups cubed (small cubes) chicken (cooked or uncooked, you can cook it in the soup or cook it before)
1-2 cups chicken stock
16 oz jar of Dei Fratelli Black Bean w/Corn Salsa
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

In a medium combine all 3 ingredients. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes (longer if you use large chunks of chicken).  Top with sour cream and some shredded cheese and you have a great light lunch or supper, OR starter!  Don't neglect these items, as they just increase the goodness when stirred into the soup!

Didn't I tell you it was easy?  And talk about healthy!  Ok, minus the sour cream and cheese but c'mon!

Your "it aint easy bein' easy" Chefwannabe

PS,  You COULD bring this soup to a boil, add 1/4 cup rice and enjoy it that way too!

Touchdown Corn Salsa

I live in the Cornhusker State.  I moved away, and returned in recent years, and it is still a state where the word "corn" must be the most used word among its residents.  Cornhuskers, (though we won't discuss them right now), cornfields, corn trucks, corn pickers, popcorn, corncorncorncorncorn!

It was only natural, in light of it being football season, that I made a game day snack that contained corn, right?  You know, you make all that game food and just make an entire, day long meal out of them?  Do you all do that too?  We are a picky loving' family, we just would rather "picky" to the Philadelphia Eagles!  Yes I admitted it, a Nebraskan who isn't a huge Husker fan.  You all know I am going to have to into hiding now, right? 

Anyway, this is a fairly healthy dish for me.  I mean, this is no diet blog for sure, but I also love healthy things too!  Yes I DO!  Mind you, I ate this salsa between the beans.  I don't groove on beans, not even in this salsa.  The flavor is great, and though I did not use cilantro, I think it might be a tasty addition if you groove on it.  Such a split world when it comes to cilantro eaters and cilantro free'ers!   How do you exactly spell that, really?  I like my way, so it is staying.   Enjoy this for game day, your next FIESTA, or just for healthy snacking anytime!  This makes a fairly large batch.  OK, it makes a huge batch. 

1 large tomato, diced (approx 1 1/2 cups)
1 15 oz can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1/2 small jalapeno FINELY diced (more or less to suit your tastes)
1/2 cup onion
1 16oz bag of frozen corn
1 TBSP minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil (or oil of your choice)
1/2 tsp hot sauce (optional)
2 tbsp. cilantro (optional)

Combine all ingredients.  Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.  The longer it sits, the better.  Stir occasionally if you like while it is chilling!  Serve with chips and you have a TOUCHDOWN!

Your "GO BIG RED" Chefwannabe