Chicken Enchilada Soup

I know it's been FOREVER since I last posted a recipe, but I HAVE to share this one. I wasn't aware until recently that Chili's (the restaurant) had something called Chicken Enchilada Soup, and it happens to be a major favorite for Jake. So I wanted to try my hand at it and it is OH MY YUMMM!!!!!!!!!!! I made it last night for dinner and Jake said and I quote "You can make this again any time you want".

Chicken Enchilada Soup (by KMHIX of allrecipes.com)

Photo by Pamela D. of allrecipes.com

Prep Time: 10 min, Cook Time: 50 min = TOTAL: 1 hour

8 servings

1lb boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 cup diced onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 quart (4 cups) chicken broth

1 cup harina para masa (Mexican corn flour for making tortillas)

3 cups water, divided

1 cup enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1. In large pot over medium heat, cook chicken breasts in oil until well browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

2. Cook onion and garlic in remaining oil until onions are translucent. Pour in chicken broth.

3. In a bowl, whisk together harina para masa and 2 cups of the water until well blended (I found that mixing the harina para masa slowly by 2 tbsp at a time in warm water keeps it from getting grainy). Pour into pot with remaining 1 cup water, enchilada sauce, cheese, salt, chili powder and cumin. Bring to a boil.

4. Shred cooked chicken and add to the pot. Reduce heat and simmer 30-40 minutes, until thickened.

We topped our soup with sour cream and more shredded cheese on top and had it with tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Defying Gravity

A couple of years ago, Jake and I went to see Wicked...twice! There's this one song called "Defying Gravity" that I L-O-V-E. It's one of those songs that can really be applied to any situation - professional, personal, romantic, etc. For me...it's the journey I took to becoming a mother. Each verse of the song has so much meaning.

It's like overcoming something from just shear will to not give up and overcome what cruddy hand you've been dealt at that time.

I especially like the Glee version, so here it is!

Contemplating...

I've lately been thinking of writing my story, about how I came to have this blog and why.

I sometimes think I'm nuts, other times I think if someone out there who has PCOS and is really struggling with trying to become a mother might find my little piece of the universe and read how I struggled and how we came to be where we are, that it might help.

But, that would mean exposure and letting the WHOLE story be told, of which there are some parts I am embarassed and I'm not quite sure why. But in my heart, I know that if there was a story out there when I was struggling that gave me a little bit of hope, I wouldn't have almost given up in June...a month before we got pregnant.

So what say you, my lovely people who read this blog? Yay or nay?

Happy Valentine's Day!

30 weeks!

Here's my 30 week photo:




I can't believe we have (now almost) a little over 2 months until we get to meet our daughter. I can't wait.

Last week, we took the hospital tour and pre-registered at Kaiser in Walnut Creek. It's an amazing facility and it was kind of surreal to walk through there knowing that's where she will be born.

I also have some news. I had my 3-hour glucose test last weekend, and I found out I failed. So I officially have Gestational Diabetes. I was pretty upset when I saw the results, but it is what it is. I am doing my best to get on track to make the effects of GD as minimal as possible for Scarlett.

Weekly Video 2/4/11

When I was younger, I was in dance...and I loved it. I have always wanted to be a professional dancer and perform. To this day, I'm a huge fan of dancing and dancing shows.

I was thinking of this one performance on So You Think You Can Dance. They were celebrating their 100th episode and so had contestants from previous seasons re-perform favorite routines. This one has always been one of my favorites.

It's strange yes, but to me...very entertaining. Every time I watch this routine, I think of Louisiana/New Orleans/witchdoctor/colonial times (because of the dress).

Enjoy!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today marks the beginning of the year of the Rabbit, the 4th sign of the Chinease Lunar Calendar.