Do you ever get stuck in eating habits? My husband and I have two eating patterns; those foods for Spring and Summer and those for Fall and Winter. You know…salads and grilled meats for the warmer seasons and roasts, casseroles, and carbs for the colder months. We seem to fall into a weekly menu rotation and eat the same foods over and over again until we cannot stand them any more.
Since it still feels like winter here in Maine, we are mired in those heavy, hot foods that are meant to comfort the soul and warm the tummy. On Sunday I decided to take on a new recipe keeping us from yet another redundant meal. With help from Rachel Ray, I shopped for adobo, chilies, peppers, onions, hot roasted diced tomatoes, chicken, and fresh corn on the cob. I picked up salsa, blue chips, and avocado as well.
My recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup. Although I have had this soup many times when dining out, I had never made it. I spent about an hour peeling onions and carrots, scraping corn off the cob, chopping celery and peppers, sautéing the veggies in bacon drippings and olive oil, and adding in the rest of the ingredients. I let the soup bubble on the stove for a while and then added spices and green chilies. I turned off the heat and let the soup sit in the Dutch oven for the afternoon.
When it was time for dinner, my husband helped a spring green avocado escape from its tough skin and mixed it with garlic, cumin, lime, and hot sauce. I reheated the soup. We opened a fresh bag of blue corn strip chips and opened the fresh salsa I had purchased. The steaming tortilla soup was ladled into bowls. Dinner was ready. It was warm and yet light…just right to help us ease into a new season.
Food definately has a seasonal flavor. Sounds like you found a good crossover for the seasons. Spicy to keep you warm, but yet light enough not to make you feel guilty. Helping an avocado escape from its skin . . . love the word choice!
ReplyDeleteWe also eat for the season--and this description of soup was delicious! I think you should include the recipe!
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious! I had never thought about seasonal eating but I fall into that group as well. Maybe that is the real reason I get a little extra warming weight. ;) Another great place to find quick, easy, and delicious meals is "Our Best Bites" blog. Great stuff! Have fun transitioning your meals.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to muse over. We too do the same thing & even sometimes mourn some dishes, like 'this is the last time for chili this year', etc. You described the recipe 'deliciously'! I especially liked the details of the 3rd paragraph, of anticipation time.
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds yummy. And me with my peanut butter and jelly supper sandwich. Sigh. Maybe I'll mix it up a bit and grill it!
ReplyDeleteI love soup but usually order great chicken soup at our favorite diner. As for food, it's usually, ideally a salad with chicken...
ReplyDeleteBonnie
Grilling is so wonderful. I like your line "comfort the soul and warm the tummy". With the cold, your words warmed me. Wonderful description. Delicious! MaryyHelen
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