“Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.” ~ Mark Twain
NOTE: I spend my Wednesdays Unplugged from appointments. It’s my day to stay home, enjoy cooking and welcome our kids and grandkids for dinner in the evening. We end our meal with quotes from the Norwegian ‘Quote Cup’ passed on to me from my grandmother. I share a quote and a recipe here each week, along with an update and photos of what has been going on in our lives. I love trying new recipes…and love getting recipes you would like to share!
A record-breaking snowstorm in the middle of April was definitely not what we expected. You can see the bench on our patio slowly disappearing as we experienced over 50 hours of continuous snowfall! Maple Grove got the honors with the most snowfall, 22 inches. Our daughter talked to a friend whose daughter celebrated her 16th birthday over the weekend… it was 92 degrees F the day she was born… also not what we would expect in mid-April… all illustrating why weather plays such an important role in life in Minnesota!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
With snow falling it felt like soup time. Good friend Beata Rydeen sent me this chicken soup recipe a few months ago, she says it is one of her favorites because it is so quick and easy. Thanks, Beata… it hit the spot!
QUICK and EASY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SOUP
- 4 cups chicken broth (or two 14-ounce cans)
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn (or 14-ounce can, drained)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (or 14-ounce can, drained and rinsed)
- Two 10-ounce can of tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel)
- 1 cup diced or shredded chicken (frozen and thawed grilled and ready cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, etc)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Simmer until chicken is warm and soup is steaming. Ladle into bowl and top with shredded cheese if desired.
