Carly's Chicken Tortilla Soup

March 2, 2015: In February of 2015, I posted a picture on Instagram of a hodge podge soup that I had made. I called it Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chicken Chili- cause that's what it was, plus black beans & corn. Andy and I were iced in with little in our pantry, so we threw it all together in the crockpot and eight hours later had a delicious soup without ever having to leave our warm little house. My sister-in-law, Carly, posted a comment on my picture on Instagram. She said, "Sounds good! I made tortilla soup tonight." Of course I asked her for her recipe, and once the ice thawed, I adventured to the store and bought the ingredients. Out came Carly's Chicken Tortilla Soup, and I'm pretty sure it was the best damn soup I've ever had. And with new tastes comes old memories. 

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

I remembered one cold day, taking my cousin (who on all accounts is my "pseudo-sister") Central Market's Chicken Tortilla Soup when she was sick in college. I'm beginning to think tortilla soup is a cure-all dish for head colds and cold hands. Below is my Maid of Honor toast from Ashlea's wedding in December of 2012. It's not about soup or being cold or even having a cold, but it is about being sisters, so I found it quite fitting for this recipe. And a huge thanks to my new sister for the meal that's sure to be on our go-to recipe list from now on.

Andy, Kate, and Carly at Andy & Kate's wedding
at The Omni Fort Worth Hotel- November 15, 2014

"Hi, for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Kate or “Katherine” to most of my family, and I’m Ashlea’s Maid of Honor.  When I got my note in the mail asking me to fill the role of Maid of Honor, I was immediately overwhelmed with pride, excitement, and a major dose of reality. We are growing up. We were no longer playing dress up in our mom’s clothes, but instead, my Lil Cuz was going to dress up in white lace.  We were no longer decorating our rooms with Tweety Bird & Jonathan Taylor Thomas posters, but, instead, we were decorating for a wedding reception.  Standing in my kitchen, holding your letter, I wasn’t sure I was ready to grow up.

Kate (18 mos) and Ashlea (1 month) with Granny at Kate's parents' house for Christmas 1987
in Fort Worth, TX

When we were little, Ashlea and I both had older brothers, but neither of us had a sister.  I used to ask Santa Claus for a little sister, but apparently it doesn’t work that way.  I didn’t quite understand why I never found a little pink bundle of joy under the tree until I came across this quote, “God made us cousins because he knew our moms couldn’t handle us as sisters.”  Probably true, considering the adventures and mischief we got into.

Kate & Carly at Kate's wedding- November 15, 2014
The Omni Fort Worth Hotel

I think Ashlea would agree with me in saying that our best adventures were at our Granny & Papa’s house.  Their house was home to a garage full of cardboard boxes that were perfect for making forts that went from one end of the house to another.  It was home to a moth-ball smelling, blanket filled closet that made for the best hide and go seek hiding spot.  We spent Christmases in the den, helping Papa scratch off Lottery Tickets and Easters in the backyard having Easter egg hunts.  Then there was the kitchen that made me fall in love with cooking- where we had pizza for breakfast and s’mores & hotdogs for midnight snack, with frozen apple juice & frozen peaches in between.  We made all kinds of messes- dying Easter eggs, making sticky Rice Krispie treats, and mixing every ingredient in the kitchen into what we called a “Portion Potion.”  Despite our messes and adventures, Granny & Papa never told us “No.”

Ashlea & Kate before Kate's wedding- November 15, 2014
The Omni Fort Worth Hotel

We sat on Papa’s lap eating chocolate ice cream while he watched his programs, and we sat on Granny’s lap while she rocked us until we were in our twenties.  We crawled into bed with them in the mornings to read the funny papers and we snuggled up at night to watch Johnny Carson- Ashlea & I were inseparable, and Granny & Papa were our heroes.

Kate & Ashlea at Kate's wedding- November 15, 2014
The Omni Fort Worth Hotel

When I moved to Austin to start at UT, I thought Ashlea and my’s sisterly moments would come to a halt, but luckily I was wrong.  Being the intelligent woman she is, and against her brother’s crimson-colored wishes, Ashlea called me in 2006 and told me she, too, was going to be a Longhorn.  And, to make this proud sister even more proud, Ashlea chose to go through recruitment and pledge my same sorority, Delta Gamma.  I remember calling Granny on bid day, and tearfully telling her, “Ashlea is really going to be my sister!”  Granny, in her calm, sensible, and wise tone simply said, “Well Katherine, I thought she already was.” 

Katherine & Ashlea building a snowman at our Granny & Papa's house
in Wichita Falls, TX

Granny was right- she always was right.  Lee Lee, you have always been my sister.  As little girls, every Christmas at Midwestern’s Fantasy of Lights, every one of your bounce house birthday parties, every lake day ending with a fabulous sunset- you made them all complete.  To this day, I brag to everyone about you- my cousin, my Delta Gamma Grand Little Sis, my UT cheerleader, my Physical Therapist, and my very first friend. 

Kate giving her Maid of Honor toast at Ashlea's Wedding
December 15, 2012

Your courage, patience, faith, hope, and love have been a pillar of strength for your family, through the good times and the hard.  I know Granny, Papa, and your Bubba are watching down on you and Mark today, beaming at their handiwork and crazy proud of the woman you have become, just as I am.  Let’s raise our glasses to Ashlea & Mark- You two have found a love so great and unconditional- a love that lasted across high school halls and across the state.  Y’all have cared for one another, supported one another, and cheered for one another for 7 years thus far, so here’s to 77 more.  As our Granny would say, “Keep on making memories.”  Cheers.

Carly's Chicken Tortilla Soup

Servings: 8; Adapted from The Food Network

Carly's Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 med onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 6 c chicken broth (we use unsalted)
• 1 c corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed)
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 3 chicken breasts
• 1/2 c cilantro leaves
• 1/4 c lime juice
• 1 doz tortilla chips, crumbled (for garnishing)
• 1/2 c cheddar cheese (for garnishing)
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat
2. Add onion, garlic, chipotle, chili powder, and salt and cook until onion softens
3. Add chicken broth, bring to a boil
4. After this has been boiling for appr 10 mins, add chicken breasts. Allow to boil for 20 mins.
5. Reduce to simmer and add corn. Cook for 5 mins more.
6. Stir in tomato, cilantro, and lime juice
7. Ladle into bowls. Top with chips, cheese, and avocado as desired. 

Keep on cookin'!

-Carly & Katherine

Chicken Enchilada Tacos

Sloane's baby wreath

Andy's sister, Carly, had his nephew, Greyson, the day after our first date (May 5, 2010). Carly has always wanted more than one kiddo, and when Grey was a little over two, she got her wish. She was pregnant with a baby girl, and was due May 1, 2013- four days before Grey's third birthday.

Her friends in Wichita Falls threw her a baby shower that was pink and girly- all things baby girl.  Carly did not want to reveal Baby Girl's name though until she was born, so part of the shower was spent trying to convince her to spill the beans, but we got nowhere.  This presented a slight hiccup in my baby gift, though. I made her a wreath, but without knowing Baby Girl's name, the wreath was going to have to be incomplete until she arrived. I joked with Carly that I was going to show up to the hospital when Baby Girl was born with a hot glue gun and wooden letter to slap on the wreath.

Sloane's baby gifts from me

The shower was held at the Jennings' church, First Christian, in Wichita Falls. This is the same church where my cousin's grandma, "Nanny," took care of Andy when he was a baby.  There were baby-themed snacks, a delicious punch, and a diaper cake as the centerpiece. It was very prissy and very fun!

A lot of the women who have had children at the shower commented that "Baby girl showers are just so much cuter than baby boy showers!" and "Baby girl clothes are so much cuter than baby boy clothes!" Needless to say, we were all pretty excited about Baby Girl Westbrook.

Sloane's wreath that matches her crib bedding

Well, on April 30th, a little before noon, Carly texted Andy that she was in labor. No less than two hours later, Andy got a message from his brother-in-law, Slate, that said "Sloane Sawyer Westbrook was born at 12:31pm, weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces and 20.75 inches long." Unfortunately I couldn't miss work that afternoon, but we headed up north to Wichita Falls the next day to see sweet Sloane and Andy's family.

We weren't sure if we were going to get to go to Wichita Falls the night Sloane was born, and, like I said it turns out that we weren't able to because of work. However, being the meal-planner I am, I went ahead and planned our dinner for that night. We had Chicken Enchilada Tacos, which are now in our top five favorite meals. The actual dish can be served sans-tacos if you're watching your carbs, and using fat-free cheese keeps it lightened up.  Although I had to work, the Chicken Enchilada Tacos were easy to throw together once I got home, and clean up was quick, too. Perhaps you'll be celebrating good news when you have them, too!

Chicken Enchilada Tacos
Servings: 8; Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 3

Chicken Enchilada Tacos

• 1 pound boneless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• 1/2 cup enchilada sauce
• 4 ounces fat-free cheddar cheese, shredded
• 3 green onions, chopped

Chicken Enchilada Taco filling

1. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with taco seasoning
2. Grill or sauté the chicken
3. Cut the chicken into cubes
4. Place in a greased 8x8" baking dish
5. Season with salt to taste
6. Add the enchilada sauce and toss to coat the chicken
7. Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken
8. Bake at 350º for 10-20 minutes, until hot and bubbly
9. Scatter the green onions over the top.

Keep on cookin'!
-Katherine

Firecracker Salmon

My mom and me at my 4th Annual Holiday Cocktail Party, December 2011

Andy and I spent the entirety of last Mother's Day at the lake with my mom (read about Mother's Day 2011, Andy and my's first date, and Strawberry Shortcake here).  Since we had spent last year's with my mom, we decide to try to get up to Wichita Falls to spend some time with Andy's mom.  We ate lunch at Pelican's with both of Andy's parents, his sister, Carly, Carly's husband, Slate, and their two year old son, Greyson.

Carly & Mrs. Jennings serving Greyson his 2nd Birthday cake

The highlight of our meal was a slight confusion with the manager- see, when the manager came around to our table to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day.  She gave both Carly and Andy's mom a card with a gift certificate inside, and then she awkwardly looked at me.  Hesitantly, she looked from Carly to Mrs. Jennings to me- back to Mrs. Jennings, back to Carly... and then quickly said, "Happy Mother's Day to you, too," handed me a gift card and scuffled off.  I simply said, "Thanks." Hey, I'll claim little Grey if it means I get free food out of it!

Andy and Mrs. Jennings at the Jimmy Buffett Concert in June of 2011

After lunch, Andy and I picked up a Midwestern State University diploma frame to match both my TCU and UT frames in our future sports room (ok, yes, it's a "man-cave").  After lunch, we laid around Andy's parents' house for a bit before heading to the lake to see my mom.

I finally finished the last wall in the sports room-
Andy's & my diplomas and licenses are all framed!

My mom had made me a deal that if she bought the groceries for dinner, Andy and I would have to cook. Fair enough.  My mom loves salmon, so I thought I'd try a new salmon recipe from one of my iPhone apps.  I'm pretty sure Firecracker Salmon is my new favorite salmon dish- it was spicy and fresh, and absolutely mouth-watering with just enough zip and zap.  For sides, we had Garlic Lime Asparagus and Grilled Corn- how healthy we all were!  We ate dinner on the front porch of our little cabana while we watched the sunset, thinking of our Granny Coleman and Granny Poirot, and being thankful we have such amazing moms!

Firecracker Salmon

All Recipes

Servings: 2

Grilled Corn, Garlic Lime Asparagus, and Firecracker Salmon

• 4 (4 ounce) fillets salmon
• 1/4 cup peanut oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
• 1-1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Garlic Lime Asparagus and Firecracker Salmon

1. Place salmon filets in a medium glass dish. 
2. In a separate medium bowl, combine the peanut oil, soy sauce, vinegar, green onions, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, sesame oil and salt. 
3. Whisk together well, and pour over the fish. 
4. Cover and marinate the fish in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
5. Prepare an outdoor grill with coals about 5 inches from the grate (or on medium heat), and lightly oil the grate.
6. Grill the fillets for 10 minutes per inch of thickness, measured at the thickest part, or until fish just flakes with a fork. Turn over halfway through cooking.

Keep on cookin'!

-Katherine

Honey Pecan Porkchops

Papa, Granny, Ashlea, and me

Nobody loved shelling pecans like my Papa Poirot.  He could sit at the counter in his and my Granny Poirot's kitchen for hours shelling thousands of pecans from the pecan trees in their backyard.  He was good at it, too.  One would never bite down on a pecan shell left behind because Papa was just that meticulous and careful.  He would put them in Ziploc baggies and keep one baggie out for snacking, and freeze the rest.  (Pecans and other nuts can stay fresh, when sealed properly, in the freezer for up to two years.)  If you're unsure as to whether or not the nuts are fresh enough to cook with, smell and taste them.  If they're bitter- throw them out.  If they taste fine, you're golden.

My mom, me, Granny, and Papa

The following is the eulogy that I wrote for my Papa Poirot's funeral in 2004.  He spent his last few months in a rehabilitation facility, but my amazingly caring Granny brought him pecans almost every day to shell right there in the hospital bed.  Towards the end of his life, Papa would end our phone calls with the same phrase, every time.  I'd say "I love you, Papa," and he would respond, "I love you too, darlin', very much."  In making these Honey Pecan Porkchops, I can still hear his voice echoing through the telephone, and I love you, too, Papa- very much.

Me, Papa, and Ashlea at Granny & Papa's house in Wichita Falls, TX 

"Love.  Now there's something my papa knew everything about.  He loved his friends, his four kids, eight grandkids, his great grandson, and my Granny more than anyone in the world.  Whether you called him Dad, Bubba, Marcel, Grandpa, or Papa, he loved you with all of his heart- and trust me, we loved him back.

Ashlea, Papa, Granny, and me at church- Dallas, TX; Summer 2004

We loved eating frozen apple juice in his lap, crawling in his bed at night to watch Johnny Carson, reading the funny papers, and eating chocolate ice cream cones with him in his recliner.

We loved watching his favorite TV programs with him, even when it involved Papa yelling at the contestants on The Price is Right for bidding too low in the showcase showdown with Bob Barker.

We loved interviewing him for our school projects, going on Easter egg hunts, and feeding the birds in his backyard- even though the crows DID tend to attack us now and then.

My mom, Granny, me, Papa, Ashlea, Uncle Richard- Easter Egg hunt at Granny & Papa Poirot's, Wichita Falls, TX

We even loved it when Papa jokingly chastised us for covering his bedroom in toilet paper or building forts throughout the whole house.  Or when one of us would sneeze really loudly, and he would say, "Gee, it's a good thing you weren't in church!"  Oh, and of course we loved the Werther's caramel candies and peppermints he'd sneak us during Father Bill's homily at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church.  Papa was funny, smart, and could always make us smile.

Papa playing Pretty Pretty Princess with me and Ashlea at my parents' house- Fort Worth, TX

He gave us faith- faith in ourselves, faith in God, and faith in our family.  He gave us hope- hope for school, hope for our future, and hope for happiness.  And his greatest gift was love.  Love for each other, love for our family, and love to last a lifetime."

Ashlea, Papa, and me dying Easter eggs at Granny & Papa Poirot's house in Wichita Falls, TX

Honey Pecan Porkchops
Kate Strickland
Servings: 2, Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 12

1 1/4 pounds boneless pork loin, pounded thin

1/2 cup all-purpose flour for coating

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons light butter

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, salt and pepper. Dredge pork cutlets in the flour mixture.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chops, and brown both sides. Transfer to a warm plate.
3. Mix honey and pecans into the pan drippings. Heat through, stirring constantly. Pour sauce over cutlets.

Keep on cookin'!
-Katherine

Strawberry Shortcake

My boyfriend, Andy, and I met at one of his kickball games.  We had a lot of mutual friends who were on the team, and I always joined the fun on Thursdays for a little R&R.  Andy and my best guy friend, Michael, were fast friends, and one night Michael invited him to come to the Wade Bowen concert at Billy Bob's with us.  I didn't know Andy's name at the time, but when Michael told me that "a couple of the kickball players would be joining us," I kept my fingers crossed that "Cute Catcher" as I thought of him, would be one of the crew.  Lucky me, there he was at dinner before the show.  I was trying to get to know a bit more about him at dinner so I asked him where he was from.  "Wichita Falls," he said.  "Great," I thought.  "We're probably cousins..."  There are about 4 big families who are all related to each other in Wichita, and my mom's family happens to be one of them.  Quick text to my Aunt Rhonda who lives in Wichita Falls, "Hey! Met a cute boy from Wichita Falls... we aren't related to any of the Jenningses are we?"  Ding! A reply. "Nope! I do know them though." (Duh). "Great family- so sweet!"  

Andy, me, and Whitney at Wade Bowen 

Okay, so I'm not related to the Cute Catcher, he's talking back to me, offered to buy me a beer, and we have a lot of Wichita Falls friends in common.  Things seemed to be going well!  The concert was a lot of fun, and I asked my friend for Cute Catcher's phone number so I could "thank him for the beers."  Turns out he had a real name, Andy.   We texted a lot over the next few days, and he came to Mayfest with a lot of our friends.  After looking at pictures from my cousin, Kameron's, fourth birthday party, Andy texted me and said, "Hey so I do know someone else who you know from Wichita Falls."  Thinking he's going to say my cousin who is about our age or any one of her thirty friends in the birthday pictures, Andy threw me for a loop.  "How do you know Rosella Kemnitz?" Excuse me... Rewind.  Back up.  How do you know Rosella?  She is 70-something, and my Aunt Rhonda's mom.  She's practically my other grandma.  Turns out, Rosella used to keep Andy and his sister in their church nursery.  Wow, small world, right?  Of course I immediately text my Aunt Rhonda.  Rhonda's reply?  "Well it is a small world!  But that's not even the craziest connection with that family.  His dad is a social worker, and when your Uncle Richard adopted Chris (my cousin, Rhonda's son), his dad did the adoption!"  What! I'm still glad we weren't related, but it is pretty crazy that we just happened to meet at a kickball game in Fort Worth and had all of this in common.

May 4, 2010, was Andy and my's first date.  In between two of my classes, we met at Yucatan Taco Stand- a delicious little restaurant in Fort Worth known for their potent Frozen Screwdrivers.  It's kind of a cross between Fuzzy's Taco Shop's food and a Pei Wei atmosphere.  I was really nervous and probably way too chatty in an effort to overcompensate.  Considering I had to go to class after dinner, I couldn't have a frozen screwdriver to ease my nerves, and I know I was probably a total spaz.  Andy was leaving to go to Wichita Falls the next day because his sister, Carly, was going to have her baby, Greyson.  I asked Andy if he was planning to stay in Wichita Falls for the night, and his response was "No, I'm going to come home.  There is a pretty cute girl I'd like to hang out with, and I'm anxious to see again."  (Insert can't-stop-beaming-smile here!  Looks like my spaz-self hadn't scared him away!)   The rest, as they say, is history.  Well- one year of history, anyway.

Greyson's First Christmas, December 2010

On Saturday, Andy's parents hosted Greyson's first birthday party.  The theme was barnyard- there was a barnyard/farm cake, sheep and cow and pig cupcakes, and barnyard plates and napkins.  Mr. Jennings had the grill fired up and was cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for all of the guests- family and friends of Carly and Slate (Andy's brother-in-law) and Greyson.  There were two year olds and 80 year olds- it was nice seeing everyone together and celebrating such a sweet boy's birthday.  Greyson is absolutely adorable, and he just started crawling.  He was moving around that party like an ant on a mission.  He wasn't too crazy about the cake part of his cake, but he sure did like the icing.  I think he ate about 3 tablespoons of it off of my finger.  Oh and also, to add to the small world concept- turns out Andy's stepgrandmother went to church at Our Lady Queen of Peace with my Granny Poirot.  Her children and my mom and aunts and uncles were all friends.

We ended the weekend by celebrating Mothers Day at our lakehouse.  Per tradition (see post here), we stopped to watch the sunset and remember the moms who couldn't be with us.  After the sunset, we had dessert- Strawberry Shortcake.  I love this dessert because it is light, low fat, and low calorie- not to mention, super easy to make.  Whether you're celebrating a first date, birthday, or Mothers Day, try it the next time you need a quick and easy dessert.

Strawberry Shortcake
Servings: 4

• 1 package of strawberries (appr. 4 cups), sliced 
• 4 bowls/saucers
• 4 Angel Food (or likeness) dessert cups
• 2 c Cool Whip
• 2 tbsp sugar (optional)

1. Place one dessert cup in each of 4 bowls
2. Top with strawberries (as desired)
3. Top with Cool Whip (as desired)
4. Optional: Sprinkle sugar on top (as desired- strawberries may be a bit tart until around June or July, so the sugar helps cut the bite, but I prefer to leave it off)