IN THE KITCHEN

In The Kitchen with Christi

Gearing Up for Fall in The Kitchen

Photos and recipes by Christi Mahon

What do you keep on hand in your kitchen? I must admit I’m never without onion, garlic or Rotel. It seems like most of my soup recipes start with all three. In the fall, who doesn’t love a good, hearty soup? I found this lovely, versatile recipe a few years ago when a friend wanted to try a “Keto” diet. We settled on trying to reduce carbohydrates as a true “Keto” diet is hard to maintain. When making this recipe, I use a deboned, rotisserie chicken instead of the chicken breasts.

Chicken Soup

(Keto Friendly)

INGREDIENTS: • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped • 4 cloves garlic, chopped • 1 teaspoon cumin • 1 teaspoon salt • 2 cans Rotel (chopped tomatoes with green chilis) • 2 cans chicken broth • 2 cups cooked chicken breasts, chopped • 1 bunch of fresh cilantro, stems removed, chopped • 1 fresh lime

DIRECTIONS: In a large saucepan saute onion and garlic until translucent. Add two cans of Rotel with liquid, chicken broth, cumin, salt and chicken. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add chopped cilantro and juice of the lime, simmer a few more minutes and serve hot. Top with avocado for a Keto friendly dish or dress it up with tortilla strips, cheese and avocado. This soup is flavorful with a little spice, but not too spicy.

Squash Casserole

Squash Casserole may seem more like a summer dish, but I like a good casserole anytime of year. This recipe tastes most like my grandmother’s squash casserole. She rarely used a written recipe so I don’t have this one exactly like hers, but it’s close. I love to use her corning ware to honor her and remember all the delicious food she made with love for her family.

INGREDIENTS: • 4 cups yellow squash, sliced • 1 yellow onion, diced, about a cup • 1 teaspoon salt, added to water • ½ teaspoon salt, added to squash mixture • ¾ cup cheddar cheese • 2 eggs • 1/3 cup milk • ½ cup butter, melted • 1 sleeve buttery crackers, crushed • Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Add salt to water enough to cover squash in a deep pan, boil squash and onion until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain squash well. In a separate bowl beat egg, add milk and cheese, stir together. Add this mixture to squash and stir. In a buttered casserole dish, add ½ of the mixture and top with about ½ of the crushed crackers, drizzle ½ of the melted butter on the crackers. Add the remaining squash mixture and top with the rest of the crushed cracker and drizzle remaining butter on top. Cook in a 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes.

Taco Soup

This taco soup recipe has tons of flavor and will feed a crowd. It’s one of our fall favorites and pairs well with cornbread or tortilla chips and cheese. It tastes even better as a leftover.

INGREDIENTS: • 1 to 2 pounds lean ground beef • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped • 4 cloves garlic, chopped • 1 tablespoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon cumin • ½ teaspoon dried oregano • 1 teaspoon paprika • 1 small can tomato sauce • 2 cans chopped tomatoes or for spicier soup use Rotel • 1 can beef broth • 1 can sweet corn, drained or 1 cup frozen corn • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed • 1 can pinto beans, drained • 1.5 tablespoons dry Ranch dressing mix • Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan brown ground beef. Drain fat, add onion and garlic, saute until translucent. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, tomato sauce, beef broth and Rotel. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a little water if it gets too thick. Add corn, black beans, pinto beans and dry ranch dressing. Simmer 10 minutes. Serve hot and top with tortilla chips and cheese.

CHRISTI WEBB MAHON Christi Webb Mahon began helping in the kitchen at an early age. She learned to cook by watching her mom and grandmothers. Their dishes were not fancy but, were always tasty and made with love. Grandmother Pebble told Christi she loved watching people enjoy their food, and Christi says she feels the same. Christi may be reached at christi. easyrecipes@yahoo.com.

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