While at TCC, a couple of the girls mentioned they weren't familiar with Google Reader and we ran out of time so I didn't get a chance to demonstrate. You may find it helpful, I do. Google Reader is a great way to have all the blogs you read in one spot AND it shows when there is a new post. The only down side is when you get behind and you see there are 150 posts open. I know, its stupid to allow blog posts to make you feel guilty, but what the hey, I haven't quite exorcised that Catholic guilt. Here is a great Youtube video that explains how to set it up. I've been using Google Reader for a couple of years now and I've pared my list of blogs down to 60, give or take.
Two tricks of interest: in the right hand corner is a button "Show: Expanded or List". I use Expanded. And if you want to know how many subscribers a blog has, click on show details. Its staggering to see how many some of the very popular blogs have. I don't know if that differs from followers. And I tried to post a list of the blogs I follow but wasted an hour trying to figure it out. Here are my top fifteen favorites: Ali Edwards, Creative Chaos, Dooce, Karen Russell, Scrap Scene, Inspireco, Funky Junk Interiors, Just Beachy, Just Something I Made (Cathe Holden), Mustard Seed Creations, Nester, susie Harris, One Lucky Day, Thirty Decor Chick and Holly Matthis.
Two tricks of interest: in the right hand corner is a button "Show: Expanded or List". I use Expanded. And if you want to know how many subscribers a blog has, click on show details. Its staggering to see how many some of the very popular blogs have. I don't know if that differs from followers. And I tried to post a list of the blogs I follow but wasted an hour trying to figure it out. Here are my top fifteen favorites: Ali Edwards, Creative Chaos, Dooce, Karen Russell, Scrap Scene, Inspireco, Funky Junk Interiors, Just Beachy, Just Something I Made (Cathe Holden), Mustard Seed Creations, Nester, susie Harris, One Lucky Day, Thirty Decor Chick and Holly Matthis.
Last night we had craft day at my house and I served this soup. There was a restaurant in the 1980s and 1990s on the west side of Houston called Rotissiere for Beef & Bird and the owner, Joe Mannke served this soup. Our local paper posts recipes on Wednesday and I have had it for 20 years and its a family favorite. I hope you enjoy it.
Tortilla Soup
from Joe Mannke's Rotissiere for Beef & Bird
2 to 4 T. butter
1/4 c oil
1/2 to 1 large onion, chopped
1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 large carrots, diced
6 ribs celery, diced
1.5 lb. raw chicken meat, diced
1 t. each: ground cumin, chili powder, salt and lemon pepper
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 (10 1/2-ounce) cans chicken broth or equivalent homemade stock
Heat butter and oil in large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, jalapeño, garlic, carrots, celery and chicken; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cumin, chili powder, salt, lemon pepper, pepper sauce and flour. Add tomatoes and chicken broth; stir well and simmer 1 hour.
You can garnish it with cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips or avocado.
Makes 6 to 8 servings. Final Note - if you like spicy, give it three shakes of tabasco when it is simmering - I'm not into spicy food.
Tortilla Soup
from Joe Mannke's Rotissiere for Beef & Bird
2 to 4 T. butter
1/4 c oil
1/2 to 1 large onion, chopped
1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 large carrots, diced
6 ribs celery, diced
1.5 lb. raw chicken meat, diced
1 t. each: ground cumin, chili powder, salt and lemon pepper
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 (10 1/2-ounce) cans chicken broth or equivalent homemade stock
Heat butter and oil in large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, jalapeño, garlic, carrots, celery and chicken; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cumin, chili powder, salt, lemon pepper, pepper sauce and flour. Add tomatoes and chicken broth; stir well and simmer 1 hour.
You can garnish it with cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips or avocado.
Makes 6 to 8 servings. Final Note - if you like spicy, give it three shakes of tabasco when it is simmering - I'm not into spicy food.
