Good for when it is freezing out Tortilla Soup

I absolutely love soup. It is probably one of my favorite foods. I find so much comfort in it, especially in the winter but I also love soup on a warm day. Call me crazy, but that is how much I really do love soup. I usually make a huge pot of soup every couple weeks and we will get it for a half a week for dinner. My husband is a UPS driver and the weather this week hasn't risen above freezing so when he nicely asked for soup the other night I could not let my Christmas elf down! I have no photo for this one, so just trust me that it is a keeper.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of diced onion
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves finely diced
• 1 jalapeno (finely diced), if you like spicy keep the seeds
• 8 cups of chicken stock
• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can corn
• 1 can black beans
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• pepper to taste
• avocado
• cheddar or pepper jack cheese
• cilantro
• lime wedges
• tortilla chips

Directions:

1. Heat oil over medium high heat. Cook onion for 2 minutes. Add garlic, jalapeno, cook 2-3 minutes. Stir in broth, tomatoes, corn, black beans and salt. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add chicken, heat until hot.
2. Laddle into individual bowls. Top with the avocado, cheese, cilantro, lime squeeze and tortilla chips. (pick and choose toppings you like=) I also put a drop of sour cream in my bowl.

Easy and Delicious Stuffed Mushrooms

I never thought I liked mushrooms and now to think of all the years I missed out makes me sad. I love the earthy and almost meat-like quality of a mushroom. This was an appetizer my roommate in college made all the time and everyone loved them!!! Well I did not know until years later when I entered my mushroom eating years, what I had been missing out on. So, as the holidays are here and in full swing, I am sure many of you are looking for new, quick easy ideas for appetizers. Try this one out and I promise it will not disappoint!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs of white or cremini mushrooms
• 1 lb of Jimmy Dean sausage or another brand
• 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese (I prefer light), softened
• bread crumbs (optional)

Directions

1. Take stems out of mushrooms. Lightly clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel to clean off the dirt.
2. In a bowl mix the softened cream cheese and sausage.
3. Fill mushrooms with mixture.
4. Put mushrooms on a cookie sheet or baking dish and sprinkle bread crumbs over each mushroom.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
6. Enjoy!!!