Cooking with the McCracken's Thursday

Once upon a time, I met a man. I fell in love. He knew the way to my heart, which just so happens to be the same way I got to his heart. Through his stomach.

I love JM for so many reasons, but there is one I am thinking of now. The man can cook.

Here is one of the many recipes that he taught me when we were dating. It makes me fall more in love with him.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

What ya need:

4-6 Boneless- Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 cans of diced tomatoes
Chicken Stock (I used the liquid that I boiled the chicken in. 2 bay leaves, 4 chicken bouillon cubes Hey it works for me!)
1 bag of Red Beans and Rice
Chili Powder
Onion (if you have it)
Jalapeno (again if you have it)


What ya do:

Bring the chicken broth to a boil. At the same time... get the red beans and rice on the stove.

Once the chicken is done, remove from pot. Place in a separate bowl, and add a ton of chili powder. A ton. That is a measurement you know and not to be confused with shit-ton.


Add the two cans of tomatoes and onion to the chicken broth.


Add the Red Beans and Rice to the pot.
Then shred the chicken and return to the pot.

Bring it all to a boil and then serve!

Serve with these: Shredded Pepper Jack and Cheddar Cheese. Tortilla Chips (not pictured)

OR you can serve with Jalapeno Cornbread!!!

What ya need:
1 box of Jiffy Cornbread Mix
1 Egg
Milk (I cannot remember how much- it says on the back of the box!)
1 1/2 Cup of Cheddar Cheese Shredded
1 Can of Mexi-Corn
1/2 Fresh Jalapeno
1 or 2 tbsp of pickled Jalapenos. Juice and all!


What ya do:
Make the mix exactly as it says on the back of the box.
Once that is made, let sit for 3-4 minutes
Fold in the remaining ingredients. GENTLY. I only used a cup of cheese in the batter and 1/2 for sprinkling on top before it goes in the oven.
Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. OR until it is golden brown on top!
I will look like this...
ummm I had to have some of it. Just a taste- the corners are my favorite...

Well I hope that you enjoy this for dinner... OR you can make it and freeze it! Let us know what you think....

PS. JM wants you to make sure to add hot sauce when you eat the soup. He says Texas Pete... it is one of his favorites.

PPS. Isn't my camera bad- ass?!?!?! I am in love with it. But not as much as I love JM for showing me this recipe.

Have a great Thursday!!!