CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

 CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

INGREDIENTS: Small whole roaster chicken, 4 tbs chicken base, 2 tbs cumin and chili powder, 1 tsp salt & pepper, 1 tbs olive oil, 1 carrot, celery & onion all chopped, 1 can corn, black beans (rinsed), crushed tomatoes & diced green chili peppers.

Garnish: fresh cilantro, avocado & sour cream and tortilla chips. 

Fill a corn kettle with water, add the chicken, the base and the first four spices. Bring to a boil and then simmer for an hour or until chicken is cooked. Take the chicken out of the water and let cool. Take all the chicken off the bones and shred with your fingers.

Meanwhile, sauté the carrot, celery & onion in the olive oil until soft. Add all of the ingredients including the chicken and simmer for half hour.

Put a handful of tortilla chips in a bowl, add the soup and the garnish and enjoy!

LOBSTER ORZO SOUP

 LOBSTER ORZO SOUP

INGREDIENTS: 1 onion, 3 celery stalks, 6 garlic cloves, 1 hot red pepper (jalapeño) and 1 carrot.  2 tbs butter. 2 tbs olive oil. 2 cups each lobster and chicken base.1 tbs each tarragon, thyme & pepper, 2 tbs tomato paste, 2/3 cup orzo, 1/2 cup heavy cream,   1/2 cup white wine.  7 ounce fully cooked lobster mea  1/2 cup dry sherry 

I chopped the veggies and sautéed them in the butter and oil. Once they were soft I added the chicken and lobster base, the spices and tomato paste. When the mix began to boil, I added the orzo, reduced to medium heat and cooked for 10 minutes. I reduced the heat to low and added everything else. Heat thoroughly and take a taste!

PEANUT DRESSING

 PEANUT DRESSING

INGREDIENTS:    1 /3 cup creamy peanut butter, 3 tbs fresh lime juice, 1 tbs agave, 1 tbs honey, 2 tbs rice vinegar, 2 tbs soy sauce, 2 tbs sesame oil, 1 tsp sriracha, 1 tbs grated ginger, 2 cloves crushed garlic, 2 tbs water

Mix everything in a blender and enjoy!

THAI SALMON

 THAI SALMON

INGREDIENTS: 2 pieces of salmon, 1/4 tsp each garlic & herb seasoning, coriander, cayenne, and celery salt. A little olive oil.

Garnish: scallions and cilantro.

Sauce: Sweet & spicy Thai sauce. 

Spray a foil lined baking sheet with olive oil spray. Spray a little olive oil on each piece of salmon. Sprinkle the spices on the salmon. Bake salmon for 15 minutes in a 350 oven. Add a little sauce and broil for 5 minutes. I served it with a ginger & garlic broccoli stir fry.

SWEET & SPICY THAI SAUCE

 SWEET & SPICY THAI SAUCE

INGREDIENTS: 3 tbs sweet chili sauce, 1 tbs each soy sauce, chili garlic sauce and fresh grated ginger.

Mix thoroughly and use on everything!!

GINGER & GARLIC BROCCOLI

GINGER & GARLIC BROCCOLI

 INGREDIENTS:     1 head of broccoli - stems cut off in small pieces, 1/4 cup olive oil, 10 cloves chopped garlic, 1/8-1/4 cup water, 1 tbs fresh grated ginger, 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, 1/8 tsp salt

Garnish: Parmesan cheese

Sauté the garlic & the broccoli stems in the oil on a medium low heat for 10 minutes. Add rest of ingredients and continue cooking until the broccoli is cooked the way you like it. If you run out of water and the broccoli starts to stick to the pan, add a little more water.

Add some parmesan cheese, mix thoroughly and enjoy!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH A BITE

 BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH A BITE

INGREDIENTS: 2 tbs canola oil, 1 chopped onion, 4 chopped garlic cloves, 2 chopped jalapeños, 1 pound cubed butternut squash, 1 can coconut milk, 2 cups chicken stock, 1 tsp red curry paste, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbs chili garlic sauce

Garnish: fresh cilantro & chopped scallion

Sauté the onion, garlic & jalapeños in the oil until soft, add everything else and simmer until it's easy to get a knife through a piece of squash.

Put everything in a blender, put back on the stove to heat thoroughly, add some fresh cilantro and scallions and enjoy!!