Chicken and Rice Soup

Easy and so good! 

2 - 4 carrots peeled and chopped
2-4 celery stalks chopped
1 onion chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 c. rice (I use 1/2 c. brown and less chicken)
1 quart chicken broth
2 chicken breasts (cook before and shred into soup)

Chop carrots, celery and onion.  Heat olive oil over med-high heat.  Add vegetables, pepper and paprika.  Cook about 6-8 min.  Add rice and cook 1-2 min until ends of rice turn translucent.  Add 1 quart chicken broth and bring to boil.  Add shredded chicken and cover.  Serve when rice and vegetables fully cooked. 

Optional: mix in a little cream cheese or sour cream when serving and a little lemon juice

My new favorite tacos

I've never been a fan of ground beef - so Taco salad, tacos etc. have never been my favorite. But I love this recipe using ground turkey and beans and my kids love it too. We've used it for taco salads, tostadas, burritos etc. (I got this recipe from Jessica Seinfeld via Oprah....)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 pound ground turkey
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 can pinto beans (I use whatever I have red, kidney, black - just be sure to rinse them first)

Heat olive oil over med-high heat.  Add onion and cook (3-4 min).  Add turkey and cook (5-6 min). Stir in tomatoes, chili powder, salt and pepper and beans and continue to cook, stirring until heated through. 

Eat with chips, tortillas, or taco shells and top with salsa, lettuce, avacado, cheese, sour cream, olives, fresh tomatoes etc.

Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad

I love this recipe.  I don't stick to the quantities closely and add more or less of whatever I want.  By the time I've added more of everything I like, there is no bowl in the house large enough for this salad.  (It does make a lot.  But we've never had a problem finishing it.)  It's a favorite in the summer.  Perfect for outdoor parties with the neighbors. 

5 Cups chicken (approx 3 grilled chicken breasts)
2 Cups of grapes (I use red grapes cut in half so their easier to fork)
2 Cups celery
7 - 9 oz. pasta (I use the spirals or bow-ties and rinse immediately after cooking so it doesn't stick)
1 jar artichoke hearts
3-5 green onions chopped
1/2 c. toasted and slivered almonds

Dressing:  1/2 c. oil, 1 tsp. lemon juice, 1/4 c. sugar (I use less), 2 TBL parsley, 2 TBL white wine vinegar (I use whatever I have), 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. dried onion

Eat at room temperature

Thai Chicken Soup

This is another good one that I have tested.  Again, I used a rotisserie chicken and I couldn't find rice noodles at the store so I used Japanese Udon noodles.  The only problem was I had to add a lot more juice because the noodles soaked up so much liquid.  I also added lemon grass.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/thai-chicken-soup-recipe/index.html

Meal Ideas

Sarah pretty much covered most of the meals I make.  I can only add a few.

Stuffed Peppers

Thai Chicken Soup

Tortilla Soup

Brocolli Cheese Soup

Pita Pockets (good for the summer, garbanzo beans, sprouts, turkey, cheese, cucumbers)

Beef Stew

Stuffed Pasta (from Costco in the frozen food section, you need meals like this every now and then)

Lasagna

Orange Chicken (also from Costco)

Sour kraut, Sausage and Potatoes

Cafe Rio Pork Salads

Rice with Meatballs

Enchiladas

Burritos

Homemade Pizza

Taco Salad

Grilled Cheese and tomato soup

Grilled Sandwiches-Ham, Sliced Apple, Apricot Jam, Sharp White Cheddar Cheese in between ciabatta bread. 

Grilled Sandwiches-Turkey, Swiss, and Cranberry Dressing in between ciabatta bread.

Stir-Fry with veggies and Tofu or Chicken

Spaghetti and meatballs

Butternut squash soup

BLTs

Cafe Rio Salads-ish

I have now made these recipes twice, except I haven't followed the pork recipe but I will next time. It is a lot of work so if you live near a Cafe Rio I would just go and buy one and enjoy it.  For those of us who are not so fortunate it is fun every once and awhile. This recipe will feed you more than once

http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2007/11/jared-and-i-love-cafe-rio.html#uds-search-results

Chicken Tortilla Soup

It is always hard to sort through all of the recipes on line.  This one has been tested twice now and Jake and I are both fans and it is pretty easy to make.  I only put 1 jalapeño in it though and shredded a rotisserie chicken instead of putting in the chicken breasts. This is worth a try.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rescue-chef/chicken-tortilla-soup-recipe/index.html