Tortilla Soup

A couple of weeks ago, my husband burned out our blender making smoothies. He's a really good smoothie maker, it's just that our blender was older and not really made for heavy-duty smoothie making. So, after much research and going over our budget, we invested in a BlendTec. We are now converts. It also came with this really good tortilla soup recipe.

Ingredients:
2 C warm water
3 small tomatoes
1 medium carrot
1" slice red pepper
1/4 avocado
1/4 medium onion
2 1"x1/2" chunks pepper jack cheese
2 sprigs fresh cilantro
1 tsp herb seasoning
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 can black beans
1/2 can whole kernel corn
1/2 large can chunk chicken breast
Handful of tortilla chips

Add all ingredients to your blender/BlendTec jar in the order listed except the beans, corn, chips, and chicken.

Cover with lid. Blend on high (for the BlendTec, select "Soup"). Add chips, beans, and corn and pulse several times. Add chicken.

If you want it warmer, put in medium sauce pan and heat over medium heat.

Serve with tortilla chips.

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Homemade Chili

Homemade chili is a staple in my family for Halloween. Last year, I went to my mom's to make it with her. This year, she wasn't planning on making some, so we decided to make it ourselves. This is a good, hearty, basic chili with a couple of extra fun things thrown in, just for kicks.

Ingredients:

3 C dry beans (about 1 lb.)

2 lb. ground beef

4 medium onions, chopped

2 green peppers, chopped

2 large red tomatoes, chopped

2 large green tomatoes, chopped

1 Qt tomatoes or 1 46 oz can tomato juice

1 can corn, drained

1-1/2 C catsup

1-2 Tbs chili powder

1 Tbs salt

pepper to taste

shredded cheese

sour cream

Pick over and soak the beans overnight.

Cook beans for about 3 hours. Drain.

Saute beef, onions, and peppers until meat is browned and onions are translucent.

Drain grease. Add to drained beans with rest of ingredients.

Simmer 1 hour. The amount of chili powder you add is really to taste, but allow enough time for it to blend and cook into the chili to avoid a powdery taste. I usually taste it 1/2 hour into the simmer to see if it needs more chili powder.

Top with sour cream and shredded cheese just before serving, if desired.

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