recipes {soup's}

so, i guess i will jump on the "it's going to snow, let's cook soup or chili" bandwagon.  it always amazes me when we have winter weather, here in tulsa, how the possibility of a few snow flakes on the ground can send the entire city running to grocery store within a matter of hours!  i guess that's what you get when you only have a couple true snows a year.  so, onto the recipes.....here are a couple of our favorite soup's...

full moon cafe chicken tortilla soup

combine thesee ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil:

3 cans chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon pepper

to thicken:

 in a small sauce pan melt 1/2 stick butter.  stir in 3/4 cup flour.  cook over low heat stirring constantly until mixture is smooth and thickened.  stir roux into chicken broth.

add:

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 pint fat free half & half

2 teaspoons diced jalapenos

1 10 ounce can rotel tomatoes with chilis

1 cup cooked, diced chicken meat {or one can of canned chicken}

cook over low heat stirring frequently.  to hold, place soup in top of a double boiler over hot water {or wait to add shredded cheese until a few minutes before serving}.  serve with pico de gallo, guacamole and tortilla chips.

shrimp and black bean chili

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon canola oil

15 oz. black beans, rinsed and drained

14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes undrained

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1 cup fat free chicken broth

1/3 cup picante sauce

1 teaspoon cumin

1 pound uncooked shrimp peeled & deveined

in a large sauce pan, saute onion and green pepper in oil for 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp tender.  stir in the beans, tomatoes, broth, picante sauce, cumin and basil.  reduce heat and simmer uncoverend for 15 minutes or until heated through.  add shrimp and simmer until shrimp turn pink and are done.

hope everyone enjoys their winter weather here in tulsa!