Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

What can you say except that chicken soup is always good and if you want a tad more excitement you can jazz it up with hot sauce and tortillas, chili and cumin to give a ballsier broth. Quickie quesadillas helped as well.

Just the Other Side of Nowhere

Leftover chicken tortilla soup.  Even better the following days.

I did a self hair cut where I made these big 70's style chunky sides.  What I really want is girly side burns and I hope to figure out how to make them someday without looking like a mo-ron.   Not sure it worked as well as I thought but it did give a little extra flair to my clipped up work do.  My thought process was if I screwed it up bad enough I would have enough nerve to go to a real stylist.  And I eventually did weeks later.

The great and the sad thing about being a woman of a particular age is that almost no one gives a flying hoot what the hell you do with your hair or your body.  It's like the population drops their expectations by about 100 percent.  So much that most don't even bother peeping your way for any reason at all.  The curiosity directed towards us gals over 55 just goes dark.  Its an adjustment but also a mixed blessing.  I'm definitely less self conscious now, freed up to do things that I like rather than what I believe people want to see.  Not that I had success in that area either.  Come to think of it, I've always been able to live just under the radar, in my own little world. 

I Went to a Garden Party

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Watching our neighbor's garden out back was the inspiration for this homemade chicken tortilla soup.  The secret is really in the broth.  You must put thought into the perfect seasonings and spices to make it a magical brew.  Just the right mix of heat, citrus and herbs melding with the mellow poultry, corn and tomatoes.  I love this soup so much.  And when you make an effort this good, you gotta take the time to fry up your own tortilla strips for the top.

Cuz You Know How Time Fades Away

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I make enough homemade hot sauce that if I don't fully indulge it goes bad before I finish it all.  Putting a good cup of it in soups is a great way to ensure it's good use.  But it does much more than prevent waste.  It's a virtual flavor enhancer in the same respect as Sofrito. And a thousand times better and healthier than a bouillon cube.  Understanding cooking techniques and tools is something I'll never stop learning and I'll regret the years I've squandered not trying to pick up more international skills here in New York.  The problem with having cheap amazing take-out and dine-in options is that you don't take the time to recreate them.  Maybe hopefully not too many years from now when we're living in a cozy little house somewhere in the west, I will remember the taste of that Kang Panang Nuur and do just that.

In the meantime at least I've taken advantage of all the fresh local produce and invented many versions of my own Mexican chicken soup.

Chicken Tortilla Soup with homemade broth