"Cooked Well" Tortilla Soup Recipe

I found this soup base at HEB and a recipe, which I tinkered with to come up with the following. It is a delicious tortilla soup that freezes well and is sure to please.

“Cooked well” Tortilla Soup

INGREDIENTS:

2 jars Cookwell and Company Tortilla Soup (available at HEB stores and online)

1-14.5 oz. can petite diced tomatoes

1 package super sweet frozen corn

1 tsp. cumin (to taste)

1.5 pounds diced cooked chicken

2 medium avocados, diced

Garnish:  Shredded Mexican Cheese, crumbled tortilla chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine pre-made tortilla soup base, diced tomatoes, sweet corn and cumin in large stock pot. Heat to boiling. Add chicken and reduce heat to simmer. Cook on low at least 30 minutes. Just before serving add in diced avocados and cook an additional 3-5 minutes to heat through.

Can be cooked longer on low in a crockpot for a make ahead meal.

Serve with shredded Mexican cheese and crumbled tortilla chips.

Serves: 8

A Personal Twist on Chicken Pasta Salad

Every time I take my chicken pasta salad to an event, everyone wants the recipe. I have to laugh because there really isn't much to the recipe--it starts off with HEB Creamy Parmesan Pasta Mix. When I tell people this, they are a bit surprised. Actually, the mix is pretty bland, but it is my personal twist that makes it special.

This is true for many recipes or instant mixes. As is, they are ho-hum. You have to be a bit creative and willing to experiment to take ho-hum to ho-yeah! Sometimes it may be a special spice, an extra flavorful or premium ingredient or the addition of meat, cheese, etc.

In the case of the chicken pasta salad, here is how I make it "mine."

Prepare one box of HEB Creamy Parmesan Pasta Mix according to directions and make the following changes.

Use premium olive oil, but reduce the amount to 1 Tbs.

Use the juice of 1/2 lemon or lime

Add 1 Tbs. of red wine vinegar

Add 2 Tbs. of Melting Pot Garlic Wine Seasoning (makes anything taste better)

Add 2 c. cubed, cooked chicken breast

Add 1/2 additional c. of mayonnaise

Mix all ingredients. Let set for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to combine.


As you can see, there is nothing "magic" about this recipe. The changes came from trial and error, but the result is fabulous. Don't be afraid to experiment. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but overall you will wind up with better recipes even from mixes.