Shelly's Mexican Chicken Soup

RECIPE

Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
1 small white onion, diced
1/2 bell pepper, diced
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, diced and de-seeded
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small can tomato paste (6 oz)
1-2 tbsp Mexican chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 can original Rotel
1 box chicken broth/stock
Cooked Chicken, shredded or diced (3 breasts or the meat from one small rotisserie)
1-2 cups cooked rice (Spanish)



Directions
Over medium heat, saute onion and peppers in olive oil for 3-4 minutes or until translucent.
Add garlic, saute 1 minute.
Add tomato paste and mix into vegetables.
Add spices, continuing to mix for 5 minutes on low-medium heat.
Add Rotel and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and add cooked chicken & rice. Let cook for 30 minutes.

Serve hot topped with diced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, etc. Enjoy :)

TIPS - I've also used one can of chicken stock and 1 beer in place of the whole box of chicken stock. If you want more heat - leave the jalapeno seeds (just be careful)! Also, if you cook your chicken creasts, you can cook in a pot of water with one pack of taco seasoning for flavor, and use the broth in place of canned chicken stock.

Refreshing Quinoa Salad

I modeled this healthy side dish after a delightful little salad I had at one of my favorite local, organic spots, Souper Jenny. This place is AMAZING. They receive local organic ingredients from near-by farms around 4am each morning. Then they get to work planning their menu for the day and emailing subscribers. I can't tell you how much I love getting this email every day. With dishes like the salad below, tomato-basil goat cheese soup, and even lobster salad sandwiches - you cannot go wrong! Of course, my salad was not as delicious as Jenny's, but I was pretty impressed with the taste.

Cheers!

RECIPE

Ingredients
1 cup dried Quinoa
1 cup water
Dash salt
1/2 diced English cucumber
1-2 cups chopped fresh spinach
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 avocado diced
Juice from 1 lemon
Juice from 1 lime
Drizzle of EVOO

Directions
Bring 1 cup water and 1 cup Quinoa to a boil in small saucepan. Once boiling, add a dash of salt and reduce heat to low and let cook, covered for 10 minutes. Transfer Quinoa to bowl and let cool in fridge overnight. Once Quinoa is chilled, add diced cucumber, red onion, avocado, lemon & lime juice and drizzle with EVOO. Mix all ingredients together. Serve cold and enjoy!

TIP - add you favorite veggies like tomato and yellow squash for an extra boost of color and nutrients!