Fiesta Chicken Chowder

I have a group of college friends that still get together for trips about once a year.  We have traveled all over the country from Maine to Key West to New Orleans to Las Vegas.  Laura and I even spent a few months in Costa Rica together.  We always have a great time and plenty of stories to tell.

We had tried to pull a small trip together this fall.  Every weekend seemed to have a conflict for at least one of us.  The quick trip seemed to be fading.  Just when I thought it wasn't going to happen, I remembered the Santa Speedo Run.

My friend Annie helps coordinate the Santa Speedo Run in Chicago.  This event is put on with the Chicago Diabetes Project to help raise money and raise awareness of diabetes.  Annie is also the queen of surprises.  She has thrown together surprises for several of us.  It was time to plan a surprise for her.  We quickly threw a trip together for the rest of us to drive up to Chicago for the weekend.

Annie is also the inventor of Telefingers.  They make a great Christmas gift.  Had to give her a little plug.  You can also buy them on QVC.

We had a few days of panic when we found out that Annie had a new job in Utah.  She was starting this new job on Dec. 5th (2 days after the run).  Utah is far away from Chicago.  We scrambled to get in touch with her family.  Luckily her sister, Hiedi, got back to us and assured us she would be there.

One picture to show that we can dress to look respectable before you see the rest

Five of us drove up to Chicago on Friday.  We awoke early Saturday to dress in our finest.  Annie was completely taken by surprise.  We had a great time catching up with Annie and running through the streets of Chicago with over 200 people in speedos and festive outfits.

On the L in transit to the big event

Annie totally surprised!

Annie becomes one of us....

Group photos...

Our favorite pose

 there was some dancing...

 

 And then we took over the streets of Chicago...

Santa Loves You!

After a long weekend, I just wanted to come home and relax.  I came back with a small cold.  Laying on the couch and eating soup sounded perfect.  I tried Fiesta Chicken Chowder from Taste of Home.  I really enjoyed the soup.  I would suggest giving each serving a lime wedge.  I liked having additional lime juice added right before.  I might also try chicken broth instead of the water next time.  I give this 3.5 cookies.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 envelope fajita seasoning, divided
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups water
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Mexican stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (11 ounces) Mexicorn, drained
• 1 cup uncooked instant brown rice
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
• 1 can (11 ounces) condensed nacho cheese soup, undiluted
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Click on here to read the directions to prepare

Chicken Fettucinni Alfredo

I was hoping to score some good wife points by fixing Ben his favorite meal after a busy week.  Well, I got tired and ended up not fixing it for him.  I'm going with the idea of it's the thought that counts.  A few nights later, we took to the kitchen and cooked together.  For those of you that know our current kitchen, know that this is a test of patience.  You basically have to pick a side and play zones.  We had a good time and enjoyed a delicious meal.



Current Kitchen:  One Big Hallway

As I mentioned, our kitchen is a bit frustrating to have more than one person.  Often we have two people and two dogs.  This does not work.  We bought our house a couple of years ago knowing that we wanted to redo the kitchen at some point.  I'm hoping that point will be within this next year.  Redoing the kitchen requires changing our floor plan.  Here are the two plans we are trying to decide between.  Leave a comment and let us know which plan you would choose.

Excuse my pathetic attempt at house plan drawings.  This was a joint project with Cole so he can color them later.  The architects in our family would be so ashamed.  If you click on the picture it will zoom in a bit.




Option B:  Move Kitchen



Option A:  Open up current kitchen













Let us know your thoughts and then try out the recipe.  Chicken Fettucinni Alfredo is one of Ben's favorite meals.  I let him provide suggestions and ratings for this recipe.  Here is the recipe we ended up with.  Hope you enjoy.

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts cut into cubes or strips

3 tablespoons butter

3 cloves of garlic

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 onion diced

4 ouces of fresh mushrooms (use can if you want to save time)

2 Tbl. flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. white pepper

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup half and half

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

4 oz shredded colby monterey jack cheese

1 roma tomato diced

1/4 cup sour cream

Directions

1.In a large skillet over medium heat combine chicken, 1 tablespoons butter, 2 cloves garlic, and Italian seasoning. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside. Remove from skillet and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet. Saute onion, 1 cloves garlic, and mushrooms until onions are transparent. Stir in flour, salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes. Slowly add milk and half-and-half, stirring until smooth and creamy. Stir in Parmesan and Colby-Monterey Jack cheeses; stir until cheese is melted. Stir in chicken mixture, tomatoes and sour cream. Serve over cooked fettuccini.