Hello everyone!

Did anyone get to enjoy a special Valentine's meal? Whether it was for yourself, with friends or family, or a significant other?


I went out tonight and had a wonderful meal that had at least some Valentine's day influence when it came to the dessert . It was a strawberry infused chocolate buttermilk cake with whipped cream and german chocolate drizzle.

Unfortunately I had the 'flu, so no special meal, but I did get a box of chocolates! That has to count for something :)

That cake sounds wonderful! I hope you enjoyed it :)

I hope the new job is going well. I haven't had a lot of time to do as much cooking as I would like. I too started a new job and while the hours are comparible, the commute tacks on about 2 extra hours.

I made a vegetable soup last night, which I am enjoying now and I got to experience a lovely fine dining meal on saturday evening.

I made chicken tortilla soup today---
Takes about 30 minutes, plus 30 for roasting chicken.
It came out delish.

Welcome back, Sun!

Oh not commuting!

Yeah I am experiencing morning commute fun
during high season, but hey, 81 degrees and sunny, I can not complain
about a little, or a lot, of traffic. What kind of soup did you make?

I will trade you for your 81 and sunny even for a day. Though I must admit I would be getting the better deal. I ended up staying home today because of blizzard conditions. I experienced those first hand walking on my paper route first thing this morning, which I picked up as a 2nd job just because it was one street. So much for being easy. I came home to a power outage drenched and caffeine deprived because the coffee I bought on my way home blew into the wind every time I tried to take a drink and my furnace was out. Did I mention that it's bitterly cold and I experienced 2 ft of flooding in my basement yesterday as a result of a rain storm coming in after a snow storm?

I need a break from this winter weather. Come on spring!

Needless to say I have spent the day bundled up and enjoying my homemade garden vegetable soup . I even had a nice fresh italian loaf of bread for dunking.

My bad --

1 whole chicken breast (boneless/skinless)
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chopped onions (2 onions)
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks) -- I leave out, because I don't care for it.
2 cups chopped carrots (4 carrots)
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
2 1/2 quarts chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes in puree, crushed
2 to 4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, optional
6 (6-inch) fresh white corn tortillas
Directions
For serving: sliced avocado, sour cream, grated Cheddar cheese, and tortilla chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts skin side up on a sheet pan. Rub with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until done. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, cube or shred the meat. Cover and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until the onions start to brown. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes with their puree, jalapenos, cumin, coriander, 1 tablespoon salt (depending on the saltiness of the chicken stock), 1 teaspoon pepper, and the cilantro, if using. Cut the tortillas in 1/2, then cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch strips and add to the soup. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Add the shredded chicken and season to taste. Serve the soup hot topped with sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, grated Cheddar cheese, and broken tortilla chips.

Sun, you are more welcome to come for a visit anytime!! I'd love to cook with you or for you, drink a few whatevers, and whatnots.

It's only Tuesday and I'm ready for the weekend.

:eatinghersheybar:

In our house, we eat nothing but Sharp Cheddar-- or extra. But I think its up to your taste buds, really. Jack is good too!!

If you can't find fresh, get the store bought -- I have used before.

http://rockinthestove.com/wp-content...la-chips-1.jpg

You know I never use a recipe really-- its like I see one I want to try but then I put my own twist on it.

Just facebook me or something when you do plan on coming on over-- what part of AZ you in? We have family there- in Chandler.

I am exactly the same way when it comes to recipes! :) Sometimes I will try the original first then put my spin on it and sometimes it's mine from the get go. A lot of times when I cook I don't even use a recipe. I like to throw things together with what I have. Thank you for the one you just shared.

Yeah no problem.
I am really weird with recipes -- its really how I learned to cook, by just reading them and figuring out what I enjoyed to eat and such.
Most of meals are from here and there -- unless its more complicated, I write it down and figure out what works best.
Its really neat to hear how others cook and figure out what works best for them.
If you try the recipe, let me know how it comes out. Enjoy!!

Update
 

Hey Sun! Hope your new job is going great!

What's everyone making this weekend?

Tonight we are making meatball grinders on hoagie buns with melted mozzarella on top! Can't wait to taste them! :)

I feel the same way about fire, I start to feel that craving under my skin and I need to break out the grill or maybe dance around the flames in a non harmful way LOL