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

King Ranch Macaroni and Cheese

April 27, 2014: The first meal I ever made Andy was my King Ranch Chicken. I was SO crazy nervous about having him over for dinner that I thought it'd be best to make something that I knew well. I had no doubt that the iconic star of my blog and one of my top hits on Pinterest would make a fabulous first meal to serve this cute new boy I liked.

Andy and me on the bench at Cabana #3 where he proposed a few months before this picture

         

Well, I flopped. I was so nervous that I forgot to drain everything- the peppers, the tomatoes, I just dumped in the whole can and kept on going. It turned out more like King Ranch soup. Womp, womp- I was embarassed, and Andy probably thought he was stuck with take out for the rest of this, what was sure to be short relationship. Good thing I was wrong about a lot of things that night. Andy, being the sweet guy that he is, smiled, scarfed it up, and even asked for seconds. It wasn't until months later that I had the conversation with him about the soupy meal, and he admitted that it wasn't the best thing I'd ever made. Well, phew, luckily I was also wrong about my flop being a relationship deal-breaker, because here we are, almost four years later and getting married in a few months!

Andy and me at our surprise engagement party right after he proposed on October 26, 2013

                                     

I found this recipe on Pinterest for a big ol' King Ranch casserole-type meal, but it was based in mac n cheese instead of tortillas. It was like your side and a main course all in one. I made the King Ranch Macaroni and Cheese about two years after I'd made my King Ranch soup, and it was definitely more of a hit than my first King Ranch experience with Andy. Lucky for me, I have a pretty sweet fiance who would probably grin and bear just about anything I put on a plate in front of him. At least now he isn't embarassed to tell me when something is "not the best thing" I've ever made, but let's be honest- I think he's just thankful to be marrying a gal who knows her way around the kitchen!

Andy and me at Martin House Brewing Company

                                       

If you like King Ranch Casserole, you're sure to like the mac n cheese version of it. It makes enough to feed a small army, and it freezes and reheats very well. 

King Ranch Macaroni & Cheese

Pinterest.com
Servings: 20; Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 6

King Ranch Macaroni and Cheese

• 13 oz whole wheat elbow macaroni
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes & green chiles (like Rotel)
• 8 oz Velveeta or other packaged pasteurized cheese product, cubed
• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts- cooked & cubed
• 1 (10 3/4 oz) can reduced fat cream of chicken condensed soup
• 1/2 c fat free sour cream
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 c fat free cheddar cheese

King Ranch Macaroni and Cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Prepare pasta according to package instructions
3. In a large, deep saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat
4. Add onion & bell pepper, sauté 5 mins or until tender
5. Add tomatoes & green chiles and Velveeta- stir until cheese melts
6. Add chicken, cream of chicken, sour cream, chili powder, and ground cumin- mix until well blended
7. Add cooked pasta- mix until all is well blended
8. Spoon mixture into a non-stick cooking spray coated 11x7 baking dish
9. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese on top
10. Bake at 350 for 25-30 mins

Keep on cookin!

-Katherine

Rosemary Red Potatoes

6/30/12: The house behind my parents’ house where I grew up was the home to four of the most awesome girls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. The Hulls- Elise, Mariel, Christina, and Caroline- were practically my little sisters growing up. In fact, they gave me a “Big Sister” James Avery charm for my high school graduation. Now they’re in college (or in Elise’s case, in MEDICAL SCHOOL- HOLY MOLY!!) and off being their fabulous beautiful selves. Elise is at UT Southwestern Medical School, Mariel and Christina are in Austin at UT, and Caroline is representin' at Arkansas.

I use my "Big Sister" charm as a Christmas ornament

Last year, the girls had me make a wreath for their mom, Lisa, for their “house divided.” Lisa is just as great as her girls (and yes, Brian, their dad, is a blast, too!). Lisa has opened an antique business called diGs.  Housed in the Montgomery Street Antique Mall, the website describes diGs as featuring “an eclectic mix of uncommon vintage artifacts for your home.” She is dealer #2311 if you’re ever there- check it out!

diGs

 One night, Lisa had a sidewalk sale in their driveway of some of her diGs merchandise. My mom and I walked around the bushes that divide our driveway and perused the goodies. Please note, MARIEL, that we chose NOT to use the “secret passage way” between the two houses where Miss Mariel cut the fence down so she could have easier access to play with our Beagle, Penny.  

Elise, Caroline, me, Christina, and Mariel
at my Open House/First Annual Holiday Party in 2008

On any note, my mom insisted on taking Lisa some rosemary in thanks for inviting us to the sale.  Rosemary is great for cooking- a little goes a long way- and it can be used to make almost anything taste just a little bit more fresh and airy. Below you’ll find a recipe for Rosemary Red Potatoes- the rosemary helps lighten the starchy, sometimes over-filling potatoes.

Christina, Caroline, Lisa, Elise, and Mariel

I ended up buying an antique candle/flower pot holder that sits on our doorstep. Every time I walk in the front door I think of you four girls- I can’t believe how much y’all have grown up! I know that’s totally corny, but come on, I use to change your diapers! I am so incredibly proud of the young women you have become. I am also very privileged to say that three out of the four of these girls are now my twice-sisters, as they pledged Delta Gamma at the University of Texas.  Hook ‘em Hogs- I love you four girls (and your parents, too!)

Elise, Mariel, and me at the Delta Gamma house
in Austin when Mariel pledged DG

Rosemary Red Potatoes

All Recipes
Servings: 4

Rosemary Red Potatoes

• 1 3/4 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1. Preheat oven to 425°F
2. In a bowl, combine the potatoes, onion, oil, rosemary, garlic and garlic salt; toss to coat. 
3. Transfer to a foil-lined 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. 
4. Bake, uncovered, at 425° F for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender and browned.

Keep on cookin'!

-Katherine

Mexican-Style Asparagus

In January, I got the following text from my best friend, Whitney. 

Needless to say, I was crying tears of joy right in the middle of a presentation at Fort Worth ISD. I was under strict instructions not to tell anyone, so I had to keep my mouth shut about Baby Creel until Todd and Whitney formally announced their +1 on March 24th. I did, however, immediately send the Creels a care package in honor of their baby-to-be. I included a few pregnancy magazines for momma, a sign, a book, and a baby blanket. 

We found these cute shirts for the dogs at a boutique in Ruidoso when we went in February. They made for a perfect baby announcement! 

A month later, as I was going through our cabinets to make sure we had the ingredients for this Mexican Style Asparagus that night, my phone next off with another text. On April 23rd, the Creels found out their bundle of joy was going to be a boy. Whitney had suspected it was going to be a boy, but the sonogram confirmed it. A healthy, happy baby boy would be joining the Creels in September 2013. 

I could see it already: an Aggie football player with Creel printed across the back his jersey. The kiddo will have no choice but to whoop and gig 'em like his mom, dad, and numerous other family members. But don't worry, I'll do my best to brain wash him with all the burnt orange that I can sneak into his nursery!

Mexican Style Asparagus

Servings: 2; Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 2

• 1 bunch of asparagus cut and washed
• red pepper flakes (to taste)
• cumin (to taste)
• chili powder (to taste)
• dried cilantro (to taste)
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1. Coat asparagus with EVOO
2. Sprinkle on red pepper flakes, cumin, chili powder, and dried cilantro
3. Grill for 5 minutes, turning occasionally

Keep on cookin'!

Katherine