Busy Brunette Bakerista

This soup is so good we serve it during special holidays in our family. During these times when we are at home cooking more for our families...it's a good soup to make and freeze as well. You can adjust the seasonings but it’s awesome just plain by itself! I’ve had lots of tortillas soups, and this one is the best . Chicken Tortilla Soup de Ortega Serves about six 7 T. vegetable oil 10 corn tortillas chopped 6 cloves garlic (minced or through a garlic press) ½ cup chopped cilantro 1 yellow onion chopped 1 (28oz.) can diced tomatoes 2 T. ground cumin 1 T. chili powder 3 bay leaves 6 cups chicken broth 1 t. salt ½ t. cayenne pepper 4 cooked chicken breasts or 6 cooked chicken thighs 1 lemon toppings:  shredded cheese,  avocado slices It’s important to cook the chicken first to give the soup great taste! Place chicken in a pot and cover with water. Slice one lemon and add slices to the pot along with a little sa...

Being part Irish I love mashed potatoes! A true Shepherd's Pie recipe can be very complex with lots of ground beef, vegetables, homemade mashed potatoes, and more. This version is a little healthier with ground turkey, beans, and instant mashed potatoes. So tastey! Skinny Shepherd's Pie Ingredients: 1/2 lb. ground turkey 1 can (15oz.) kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1/3 cup water 3/4 cup taco sauce 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cumin 2 teaspoons sugar 2 cups cooked instant, mashed potatoes butter and milk for instant mashed potatoes low-fat cheddar cheese, grated Cook instant mashed potatoes according to directions on the box. Set aside and keep warm with a lid or foil on top. Cook ground turkey in a skillet on medium-high heat until no longer pink. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Spoon meat-bean mixture into a serving bowl, top with mashed potatoes by spreading with a small spatula, and top with cheese. Let sit 2 min...

My own recipe named after my great-great-great grandmother who was married to Daniel "Dan'l" Mansfield* in Tipareary County, Ireland . Everyone needs a basic stew recipe for St. Patrick’s Day and this one is also great for Easter or Fall. You can adjust the amount of beer or ale you put in but make sure to use stew meat and po tatoes. *sometimes we call our son Danil (Dan'l) too! Mary Ellen O’Connell’s Irish Stew 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1 pound of beef stew meat salt and pepper to taste 1 (14oz.) can beef broth 1 (12oz.) bottle of Guinness Stout/Pal Ale beer 1 ½ cups cubed peeled, baking potato 1 cup thinly sliced leek (about 1 large) 1 cup sliced carrots (about ½ inch thick) ½ cup chopped yellow onion (optional) 3 thyme sprigs 1 bay leaf ½ teaspoon of kosher salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper ¼ cup water 2 Tablespoons flour 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon sugar ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley Wash and peel baking potatoe...

I have a mild obsession with tomato soup and this is the best recipe I have ever made. My children like it so much it should be re-named basil-tomato soup. If you like the rich taste of marinara sauce, and the smell of a kitchen in Little Italy in New York, make this soup. Rich Tomato Basil Soup 1 (28oz.) can of whole tomatoes, drained 3 cups tomato juice 2 cups chicken broth 15 – 22 fresh basil leaves (yes, that many) 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream (do not substitute) 1 ½ sticks of unsalted butter ( 3 / 4 cup), cut up into pieces ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground pepper bread crumbs or freshly grated Parmesan cheese In a large saucepan, combine whole tomatoes, tomato juice, and chicken broth. Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in basil leaves until they are wilted.  Let soup cool for 15 minutes in saucepan. Then using a large ladle or measuring cup, transfer soup in batches to blender and process until smooth. As you blend, pour into...

Pantry Chili  This yummy chili comes together easily with what you probably have stocked in your kitchen pantry. You can make it on the stove or ahead of time in a slow-cooker. For an extra crunch and salty finish, serve over corn chips. A true crowd-pleaser for a football game, potluck, or team party. 2 T. olive oil 1 pound ground turkey ½ to 1 chopped yellow onion 3 cloves of garlic (pressed or minced) 1 T. chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin pinch of cayenne pepper 1 (15oz.) can of black beans 1 (15oz.) can of pinto beans 1 (10oz.) can of diced tomatoes with green chiles 1 small can of corn salt and pepper to taste ½ cup chopped cilantro 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese 1 bag of corn chips (Fritos) In a Dutch oven , heat olive oil over medium heat. Stir in the ground turkey and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes until no longer pink. Add chopped onion, pressed garlic, chili powder, cumin, cayenne and cook over medium-...