The Soup I Should be Ashamed of, But I'm Not

For some bizarre reason (all reasons with me are likely bizarre) I feel inclined to begin many of my blog posts with the phrase

"Once Upon a Time..."

I think, if I had done it from the beginning and if I did it every single time it could be a neat little quirk of the Vast Internet Empire of CursingMama (photo available here) but; I didn't have that kind of forethought when I started a blog on a whim and wrote my first post about spilling blueberry yogurt all over my cube.

Seriously, it was IN my keyboard and on my stapler, little purple blobs were mocking me everywhere I turned. It seemed like and appropriate time to drop everything and write about it.

Still, nearly every time I sit down to write something for you I begin, if only in my head, with "Once Upon a Time" It's like I'm living in a frickin' childrens fairy tale.

I assure you, I am not. If I was, I would not be telling you about the time I taught my son to make a soup I call Chicken Enchilada Soup, and also bachelor food. No fairy tales were written about this quality meal.

The idea for the soup came from a box mix we used to purchase from the Super Bullseye, but, as the Super Bullseye is want to do, they have since discontinued carrying. Gameboy LOVED this soup, and smiled a big smile every time he dumped the mystery package of seasonings into a pot of water with some tomato sauce and a can of chicken. (told you it was healthy - chicken AND tomato)

I tried to find the soup, sort of. I looked at one store and called it a wash. That didn't stop Gameboy from asking for it:

Gameboy: I want Chicken Enchilada Soup

CursingMama: They don't make it any more.

When I finally remembered that I'm good with soup, that I have the ability to make soup without a recipe I changed my answer.

Gameboy: I want Chicken Enchilada Soup

CursingMama: I'll see if I can recreate it, what was in it.

Gameboy: A packet of stuff, a can of tomato sauce and a can of chicken.

CursingMama: banged head on counter.

Fortunately I have made enchilada's before and know what it is I like in them so I assembled some ingredients and went to work. I did pretty good. It's easy, it's fast, it tastes good, and my kid can make it. I taught him this weekend:

Gameboy: I want Chicken Enchilada Soup

CursingMama: Then make it.

Gameboy: What's in it?

CursingMama: 1/2 a diced onion, sauteed in 1 tbsp of olive oil until it's translucent & maybe even a little brown. Use the big soup pot.

Gameboy: Then what?

CursingMama: dump this into the pot

1 carton (32oz) of chicken stock
1 large (19 oz) can of enchilada sauce
1 large (4oz) can of diced green chilies
1 can (15oz) of black beans - rinsed
1 can (15oz) of pinto beans - rinsed
2 cups frozen corn
1 can (5oz) of white chicken
and let it simmer on medium-low for about 15 minutes

Gameboy: That's it?

CursingMama: Nope, then you want to add some Cumin. You like a lot so you'll use at least 2 tablespoons; stir and taste my son, then add some more.

Gameboy: You're weird

CursingMama: Hello Pot, meet the kettle

Gameboy: That's exactly what I mean.

CursingMama: Monkey See Monkey Doo

Gameboy: *shakes head and adds more cumin*

CursingMama: Dooo you want to add some rice? If we have some already cooked up that would be tasty!

Gameboy: Dooo not foul the soup with rice.

CursingMama: Doo Doo *snorts*

Gameboy: *Shakes head*

CursingMama: Don't forget the cheese! You must shred the Cheese! Whatever you do - dooo not CUT the CHEESE *snorts again*

Gameboy: CHEESE!

And that is how I taught my son to make chicken enchilada soup. We always use Monterey Jack cheese because that is what I buy and I like to eat some tortilla chips with it as well. I also did not take any pictures but I'm sure if you're motivated you won't need those either.

-Fin