Friday, September 24, 2010

tortilla soup

 homemade tortilla soup. an inspiration from my road trip to tucson






Ingredients
 1 small onion, chopped
 4 cloves garlic, minced
 2 T olive oil
 4 teaspoons chili powder (you can add more, depending how spicy you want it!)
 2-28 oz can diced & fire roasted tomatoes
 1-32 oz chicken broth
 1/2 c water
 4 uncooked corn on the cob, husked and cut corn off cob
 2-15 oz can white hominy
 2-4 oz can spicy green chiles
 2-15 oz can black beans
 1/2 c chopped fresh cilantro
 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, diced into bite-sized pieces (optional)

 1 pkg fresh blue corn tortillas, cut into thin strips, fry in oil and use for garnish
 1 bag of corn tortilla chips and/or blue corn tortilla chips (if your feeling adventurous, you can also buy corn tortillas, cut them and fry them in oil)
 4-6 avocados, cut up or just scooped with a teaspoon as you’re serving
 1 pk shredded three cheese blend
 1-8 oz sour cream
 1 pk chives, chopped
 4-6 limes, quartered

Directions
In a large stock pot, heat oil over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in chili powder, diced tomatoes, broth, and water. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 to 10 mins. 

Stir in corn kernals, hominy, diced green chiles, black beans, cilantro, and (opt) chicken. Simmer on low for 30 mins. (I find the longer you cook on low heat, the better it taste...like making homemade soup or stew)

Ladle soup into individual serving bowls, and top with cheese, sour cream, scooped avocados, chopped chives and blue tortilla strips. Garnish serving plate with corn tortilla chips and lime. Serves 8-10.

*You can always make this soup a day ahead or in the morning. Re-heat and serve for dinner. Any leftovers can be frozen.


Thursday, September 16, 2010

somewhere in california!

16 days 9 states (some twice) 4531 miles
141 gals of petro 3 time zones 97* ave temp
1097 photos (some posted) numerous roadkill
infinite smiles that outweighed the stares = immeasurable experience + 8 loads of laundry!

cabazon california

feeeeeed meeeeee!


...and now, the end is near


check out the temperature!
border check




leaving arizona and into california

saguaro cactus, state flower of arizona

san diego or los angeles?

oh no, which route should we take?  

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

tucson arizona








tucson arizona

tucson arizona


tucson arizona

pueblo indian and spanish soldiers mural downtown tucson



historic hotel congress. built in 1919 at the height of the train travel for passengers of the pacific railroad. however, it was most notable, in 1934, as the site for capturing "public enemy no.1", john dillinger and his gang. they were hiding out in the tucson hotel when a fire started and destroyed part of the hotel and one of dillinger's gang member insisted the firemen go back in the hotel and get the money the stole!
historic rialto theatre 

bowie arizona


now a defunct corner store

'geronimo castle' formerly a gas station restaurant/bar/curios shop and bus stop 
built in the 1940's. it's been closed down 
for years after the freeway was built.


a sad and lonely forgotten town

new mexico

back we go into new mexico for a hot minute!

where did this come from? a pt-90 boat

el paso texas

historic la plaza theatre
downtown el paso

                                           
luis jimenez' vaquero (spanish cowboy)
made of fiberglass and steel armature
el paso museum of art texas

masonic temple