Comforting Chicken Tortilla Soup

chixtortillasoup

What You Need:

4 corn tortillas cut in half then cut crosswise into narrow strips
2 (14 1/2 oz.) cans of chicken broth
1 zucchini, cut in half lengthwise then slices in 3/4 inch slices
1/2 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 C of corn
1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 C cooked chicken, shredded
1 tomato, cut into chunks
1/2 C cilantro, chopped

How to Make It:

Spray a heavy soup pot well with a non stick cooking spray and place over medium heat.
Place the tortilla strips into the pan and toast for 5 minutes.
Remove the tortillas and place in a bowl.
Add the chicken broth to the pan and stir in the zucchini, garlic and cumin.
Bring the broth to a rapid boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 3 minutes.
When the zucchini is crisp tender, place the tortillas, corn and beans into the pot.
Cover and simmer 5 minutes or until the tortillas have softened.
Stir in the chicken, tomatoes and cilantro.
Simmer another 15 minutes or until heated through.

Makes 4 servings

Soup is a comfort food but did you know it’s also a very healthy food. Warm comforting soup helps to fight off hunger fills us up and provides us with valuable vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to stay healthy. You can double this recipe so there will always be a hearty bowl of soup available to help fend off a cold or those rainy day blues.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 28 minutes
Total Time: approximately 43 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 309; Fat 6g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 36f; Protein 26g; Fiber 8g; Cholesterol 47mg; Sodium 730mg

Broiled Bean Quesadillas

quesadillas

What You Need:

1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp bottled minced garlic, divided
2 C plum tomatoes, chopped
1 C fresh cilantro, chopped and divided
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
4 (8 in.) flour tortillas
3/4 C of Mexican cheese blend, shredded
1 C frozen corn
2 tbsp lime juice
1 red bell pepper, chopped

How to Make It:

Set the oven to broil and place a baking sheet into the oven to preheat.
Place a skillet over medium high heat and add the oil.
When the oil is hot but not smoking add 1 1/2 tsp of garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
Add the tomatoes, 1/2 C of the cilantro and the beans.
Stirring frequently, cook the mixture for 5 minutes.
Coat the heated baking sheet with a non stick cook spray.
Place the open tortillas on the baking sheet.
Spread each tortilla with 1/2 C of the bean mixture.
Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the beans.
Fold the tortilla over the filling.
Spray the top of each folded tortilla with the cooking spray.
Place the pan in the oven and broil the quesadillas for 3 minutes or until browned.
In a saucepan over high heat combine the corn, lime juice and bell pepper.
Stir in the remaining cilantro and garlic and bring the mixture to a boil.
Cook for 2 minutes stirring frequently or until heated through.
Cut each quesadilla into 3 wedges and top each wedge with the salsa.

Makes 4 servings

Broiling quesadillas is time saving in more ways than one. First it allows you to cook all your quesadillas at once instead of one at time as you would in a skillet. It also helps in keeping the filling inside the tortilla. Since there is no turning there’s no chance of the filling falling out onto the pan.

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 420; Fat 14.4g; Saturated Fat 5.5g; Protein 17.8g; Carbohydrates 60g; Fiber 10.3g; Cholesterol 19mg; Sodium 590mg

Grilled Orange Salsa Steak

grilledsteak

What You Need:

1/2 C of soy sauce
1/2 C green onions, chopped and divided
3 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp hot sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
2 lbs. boneless sirloin steak, 1 inch thick
2 oranges, peeled, sectioned and chopped
2 tbsp orange juice
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp lemon, chopped
1 tbsp lime, chopped
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cilantro
1 tsp jalapeno pepper, minced
1/2 tsp lemon peel, grated
1/2 tsp lime peel, grated
1/8 tsp salt

How to Make It:

Put the soy sauce and 1/4 C of the green onions into a large sealable bag.
Add the lime juice, brown sugar, hot sauce and garlic, seal the bag and shake to blend.
Place the steak into the marinade, seal the bag and turn to coat.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours, turning the bag occasionally to keep the meat well covered.
Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Remove the steak from the marinade, place it on the grill and discard the marinade.
Grill the steak for 5 minutes.
Turn the steak and grill for 5 minutes longer or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees for a medium done steak.
Cool the steak and slice across the grain.
Place the remaining ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir until blended together well.
Sever the salsa over the slices of steak.

Makes 4 servings

The citrus salsa adds a little zing to this delicious grilled steak leaving you with no need for that heavy steak sauce. The marinade gives you a steak that is moist and full of flavor. To grill the steak to medium rare the meat thermometer should read 145 degrees and for well done it should read 170 degrees.

Zucchini and Cheese Tortilla Rolls

zucchini

zucchiniWhat You Need:

4 scallions, chopped
1 large zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1 inch slices
2 T fresh cilantro, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 (8 oz.) pkg. mozzarella cheese, finely shredded and divided
1 (26 oz.) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
3 green chilies, stemmed, seeded and chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
4 fresh oregano sprigs
4 whole wheat tortillas

How to Make It:

Spray a cast iron Dutch oven well with a non stick olive oil cooking spray.
Preset the oven temperature to 450 degrees.
Place the scallions in an even layer on the bottom of the pan.
Spread the zucchini slices over the scallions.
Sprinkle the zucchini evenly with the cilantro.
Lay the bell peppers over the zucchini.
Add half of the package of cheese.
Spread the pinto beans in an even layer over the cheese.
Add the green chilies and tomatoes.
Add the remaining cheese.
Place the oregano sprigs into the crevices of the other ingredients.
Lightly spray both sides of the tortillas with the olive oil cooking spray.
Cut the tortillas in half, roll each half closed and place in a single layer on top.
Cover the pan and bake for 35 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender.

Makes 4 servings

To reduce the amount of saturated fats in this dish use a soy cheese substitute. Try other types of cheese such as cheddar or Monterey Jack if you prefer.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Bake Time: approximately 35 minutes
Total Time: approximately 50 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 500; Fat 39g; Carbohydrates 66g; Cholesterol 50 mg; Sodium 153 mg; Protein 30g; Fiber 16g

Lime Pepper Steak with Rice

steak

steakWhat You Need:

2 C of white rice
2 C + 2 T of beef broth
1 1/2 lbs. round steak
1/2 t of salt
1/4 t of pepper
1/2 C of lime juice
1 t of cilantro
1 t of oregano
1 t of ground cumin
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 onion, halved and sliced thin
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into strips
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into strips
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into strips

How to Make It:

Grease the bottom and sides of a cast iron Dutch oven with olive oil.
Set the oven temperature at 450 degrees allowing the oven to preheat.
Spread the rice over the bottom of the prepared pan.
Pour the broth over the rice and stir the rice to cover it well with the broth.
Lay the steak over the top of the rice and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
Place the lime juice, cilantro, oregano and cumin into a small mixing bowl and mix to blend well.
Pour half of the mixture over the seasoned steak.
Scatter the garlic and onions evenly over the steak.
Spread all the strips of bell pepper over the top of the garlic and onions.
Pour in the remaining lime juice mixture.
Cover and bake 45 minutes or until the steak is done to your liking.

Makes 4 servings

If your piece of steak is thick you may need to cook this meal up to 6 minutes longer. Check the steak after the 45 minutes and if it is not cooked the way you like it return it to the oven. Cook an additional 6 minutes then check it again.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 611; Fat 17g; Carbohydrates 81g; Cholesterol 81 mg; Sodium 87 mg; Protein 39g;
Fiber 4g