Taste Of Blue Sky: Pinata Soup

11/13/2008

Pinata Soup

This is one of my favorite soups. I love the crunch of the tortilla chips in the flavorful broth, and gooey cheese. Mmmmm.

1 lb. hamburger (or diced chicken breast)
1 med. onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (4-oz.) can green chiles, diced
1/4 c. fresh snipped cilantro
2 T. salt
1 tsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. peanut butter
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 c. water
2 (14-oz.) cans chopped tomatoes in juice
1 (14-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
tortilla chips
1 1/2 c. cheddar cheese, grated

Brown hamburger with onion and garlic in a large soup pot over med-hi. Add chiles, cilantro, cocoa, peanut butter, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir lightly for 1 minute. Add water, tomatoes, and beans. Simmer for 20 minutes. Ladle soup over tortilla chips in bottom of bowl, and garnish with cheddar cheese.

1 comment:

Gramma Spice said...: This looks so good, I called Dad from the office to give him a list of things to start preparing it. After I hung up, a patient in the waiting room said whatever it was, she wanted the recipe. So I made a copy for her...I have some chicken breasts ready to chop for it.; 12/10/2008 5:10 PM

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Green Smoothies in my novel, The Orchard...

“Good morning, Alisen.”

Alisen smiled wryly as she looked at the clock. “Yes, I guess it still is. How did you sleep?” She set down her book.

“Very well.” Elizabeth opened the fridge and started rifling through it, looking for ingredients. She pulled out a peach, some yogurt, and a bag of spinach. “Where is Dad?”

“He and Sheryl go golfing every morning. They’ll eat lunch at the club, I’m sure. They might come home after that.”

Elizabeth had set her ingredients down on the counter and moved to a cupboard to get the blender. “So, no plans today, for the three of you?” She pulled a banana off the bunch and went to another cupboard for the oatmeal and honey.

“No set plans, but we usually do something in the afternoon. Yesterday, we tried to play tennis. It was pretty funny.”

Elizabeth looked up as she washed the peach and took out a knife. “Why is that?” She sliced the peach into the blender, threw in a handful of spinach and oatmeal, and a squirt of honey.

Alisen was watching her, now, a curious look on her face. “Have you ever seen a frog play tennis?”

Elizabeth peeled the banana and dropped it in, and poured the yogurt. “I can’t say that I have.” She looked up at Alisen.

Alisen pointed to herself and nodded her head, gravely.

Elizabeth had to smile. “Our little tree frog.” She added a dash of salt, a cupful of ice, snapped the lid in place and turned the blender on.

Alisen watched the blender with a little grimace. “What are you making?”

Elizabeth looked at her. “Green smoothie.”

Alisen pursed her lips and moved them to the side.

Elizabeth smiled. “Oh, you’re going to try some.”

Alisen raised her eyebrows.

“Yes, you are.” She stopped the blender, poured two tall glasses, added straws, and brought them to the table. She sat next to Alisen, and casually asked, “So, little sister, what has happened while I was away?”

Alisen looked at her blankly, blinked twice, looked at the beige-green drink, sniffed it, and then took a long draw on the straw. She swallowed and her eyebrows came up. She took a deep breath, then looked at Elizabeth. She started shaking her head. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

Elizabeth held her drink up to Alisen. “Try me.”

Alisen hesitated, then lifted up her glass, and clinked it against Elizabeth’s.