when it gets cold....

there are two things that i LOVE when it starts getting cold...soup and sandwiches. I know, it is simple, but i love it. And since it has gotten a little cold, i am in the process of making one of my favorite soups...chicken and rice and it is fabulous. I thought i would share for those of you who like to cook....and for those of you who don't cook very well...it is extremely easy!


Chicken and Rice Soup
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Recipe Makes: 10 Servings

1 tsp oil
1 small red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp cumin
6 cups of chicken broth
1/2 cup rice
2 chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:
1 In a large pot, heat oil and sauté onion, garlic and cumin over medium heat. Cook for approximately 1 minutes while stirring continuously. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
2 Stir in the rice and cook uncovered for 15 minutes.
3 Stir in chicken and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, or until the chicken and rice are cooked through.
4 Stir in the cilantro, scallions, pepper and salt, and serve.

note - it is even better the next day!

Here are my favorite sandwiches....they are a little gourmet, but easy to cook for a large group. Everyone I have ever made them for loves them...even if they don't like all the ingredients (especially the olives!) i even sometimes don't reserve the olives and just mix them all into the mayo mixture and hide it under the turkey and cheese.


Baked Southwest Sandwiches
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Recipe Makes: 10 servings

1 can chopped olives, drained
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1 loaf italian bread
3/4 to 1 lb thinly sliced turkey
2 ripe avocados, sliced
10 slices cheddar cheese
10 slices monterrey jack cheese

Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2 In a small bowl, combine olives, chili powder, cumin and salt. Set aside 2 TBS of mixture.
3 In the bowl with the remaining olive mixture, add the mayonnaise, sour cream and onions.
4 Slice the bread in half, length-wise. Lay both sides cut side up on a baking sheet.
5 Spread the mayonnaise mixture on both sides of the bread. Then top with the turkey, tomatoes and avocados.
6 Top with the monterrey jack, then cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with reserved olive mixture.
7 Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until heated through.

Hope you guys enjoy!!! I can't wait for them to finish so I can eat it for dinner (and lunch tomorrow!)