Easy Soup

Last night I tried a new recipe I found in Real Simple magazine. It was a Black Bean Soup with Roasted Jalapeno Salsa. It was very easy to make, and pretty inexpensive. You can find the recipe here. I followed most of the recipe, except since I do not have a potato masher to mash the beans, I put a little over half of the soup in my food processor and pulsed it a few times, then returned it to the pot with the rest of the soup (you could use a blender if you don't have a food processor). I also broiled the onion for the salsa with the jalapenos. The recipe calls for one bottle of lager beer, and I used Dos XX Lager (the green bottle). If you don't like beer, I am sure you could use more water or vegetable stock, but I think the beer gives it a nice flavor.


The roasted jalapeno salsa added is used to top the soup, and really gave it a nice flavor. Sometimes black bean soup can be bland, but this one was very flavorful, especially with the salsa. I served the soup with cheese quesadillas.

Josh had class and a review session, so I made myself an appetizer of jalapeno poppers before dinner. To make them, cut stems off jalapenos and discard. Cut remainder of jalapeno in half lengthwise, removing seeds. In a small bowl, mix 1/3 less fat cream cheese and a dash of chili powder. Spread about 1 tbsp. of cream cheese mixture in each jalapeno and wrap with a slice of bacon. place on baking sheet, sprinkle with cracked pepper and chili powder and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. This is a very tasty and easy appetizer!

So, I wasn't sure if I would have an exercise update, but I am happy to say I actually do. Yesterday after work I went to the Tech Rec Center and worked out on the eliptical machine for 35 minutes. It was a good workout-I just need to do it more often!

Super Bowl Party Food!

Josh and I hosted a Super Bowl party yesterday, so I spent Saturday night and Sunday afternoon cleaning and cooking! Since the New Orleans Saints were playing, I thought it would be fitting to make jambalaya. So, I tried out a famous Collins' family recipe. Josh's parents are both from Louisiana, and this is a recipe they have tweaked a little over the years to make their own. So, it may not seem like the traditional jambalaya, but it is very tasty, and a little healthier as well.

I was a little nervous making this dish because it is Josh's favorite thing his parents make. I had never made it before, and did not know if I could live up to the expectations. I was really pleased with the final result-it was great! And Josh liked it too!

So, here is the recipe for Collins' Family Jambalaya:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole cooked chicken (you can make this on your own, I just bought a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save time), torn into pieces
  
• 1 lb. Jimmy Dean sage sausage
  
• 1 onion, chopped
  
• 1 cup white rice
  
• 2 cups water
• Creole seasonings, salt, and pepper

Directions:

• Brown sausage and onions on stove (put a little olive oil in pot ahead of time).
• Add chicken, rice, and water to pot. Bring to boil and stir. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes.
  
• Season with Creole seasonings, salt, and pepper.
  

I put directions for how I cooked it. I just made a few changes from my in-laws recipe. The only differences were that they cook the sausage and drain it, then cook the onions in the microwave with 2 tbsps. of water for 6 minutes. They then combine all of it and cook as I did.

I also made Smoked-Gouda Chorizo Jalapeno Poppers. This is a recipe I saw on Cooking for Real on Food Network. I made these at our Christmas party this year and loved them, so thought I should make them again! You can find the recipe here. The only changes I made were to use light sour cream and 1/3 less fat cream cheese instead of the regular stuff, you can't tell a difference. I forgot to take a picture of them in all the craziness, but trust me, you want to try this recipe!

In preparation the night before, I shredded the smoked gouda with my awesome food processor. It begins as a solid block of smoked gouda.


Place it in the food processor with the shredding blade on, and in seconds...

Shredded cheese! Voila!


I also made some of my home made salsa the night before. I made a "New Orleans Spicy" version, and an "Indiana Mild." I also bought the nacho cheese sauce you buy at concession stands at football games with tortilla chips and even the little plastic trays you get them in at games. It is one of my guilty pleasures, I try not to have it too much, but I figured this was a special occasion!

Our friend CJ made Shrimp Po' Boys we had seen on Tyler's Ultimate on Food Network. They were really good! He just did shrimp, no oysters, and instead of an actual sandwich, just put the shrimp on top of a slice of bread with the mayo. It was very good. You can find the recipe here.