summer tomato soup with shrimp, zucchini, and corn

I found this in a magazine last summer and I loved it. I've decided poblanos are my favorite pepper. They're not too hot, but because of them and the onions/garlic you only need to add salt and pepper for seasoning.

Here's a link to the original recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1. 2tablespoons olive oil
2. 2poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
3. 1large onion, chopped
4. 3cloves garlic, sliced
5. Kosher salt and black pepper
6. 2small zucchini, chopped
7. 128-ounce can diced tomatoes
8. 1pound raw medium peeled and deveined shrimp
9. 2cups fresh (from 4 ears) or frozen corn kernels, thawed

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
   Add the poblanos, onion, garlic, and ½ teaspoon each salt and black pepper.
   Cook, stirring, until softened, 10 to 12 minutes.
   Add the zucchini and tomatoes (and their juices).
   Cook, stirring, until the zucchini is crisp-tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
   Add the shrimp, corn, and 3 cups water. Bring to a simmer.
   Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are white throughout
   and the corn is tender, 5 to 6 minutes.
   Sprinkle with black pepper and serve.

bacon-wrapped shrimp kabobs

1/2 lb raw shrimp

1 lb bacon

vegetables good for grilling

(We used zucchini, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, and green bell peppers. Also good would be red onion, summer squash, small red new potatoes, corn on the cob)

1. Soak some wooden skewers in water for 20 min while you cut up all the veggies
2.Cut the bacon strips in half and wrap it around the shrimp
3. Slide 2-3 wrapped shrimp and some vegetables on the soaked skewers
4. Place skewers on broiler pan and brush with olive oil and sprinkle with cracked pepper and some salt. Or brush with BBQ sauce. Or teriyaki sauce. Or balsamic vinegar and pepper. You get the idea.
5. Broil until done, checking and turning every 4 min. They'll be done in about 8-16 min, depending on how hot your broiler is. Cover them with foil if they're charring, but not cooked through.

Enjoy the amazingly rich flavor combo of bacon and shrimp.

Tortilla Soup, take one

My friend Marci brought her yummy tortilla soup to our Relief Society Super Saturday. I found the recipe on her menu blog and gave it a whirl. I'm a big fan. I really like that she uses canned chicken so there's minimal cooking, but there are enough spices to mask that unmistakable canned chicken flavor.


MARCI'S CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
1 T. olive oil
1 (12.5 oz.) can chicken (do NOT drain)
1/2 c. finely diced onion
2 garlic cloves
1 t. ground cumin
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. chili powder
1/4 t. ground pepper
(I use "heaping" teaspoons when measuring the spices)
1 (14 ½ oz.) can chicken broth
1 (15 ¼ oz.) can corn kernels (do NOT drain)
1 (15 oz.) can black beans (rinse and drain)
1 (14 ½ oz.) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes (cut up)
Toppings:
tortilla strips (see below)
fresh cilantro
diced avocado
sour cream
cheese

-Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
-Heat oil in pan over medium heat and sautee onion and garlic.
-Add can of chicken and spices (cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper).
-Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
-Stir in broth, undrained corn, black beans and tomatoes.
(I like a little extra broth in my finished soup so I add some extra water, maybe 1/4-1/3 cup)
-Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
-Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 min.

While the soup simmers you can prepare the tortilla strips (or if you are pressed for time, just crush tortilla chips):
Using kitchen scissors (there is probably an actual name for them) cut tortillas into thin strips (I cut 3 at a time). Spread evenly in a lightly greased 9x13 dish.

Bake them in oven approx 4 minutes then stir them around and bake 3 more.

I often put them under the broiler for a couple minutes at the end to make them golden brown. Let them cool and harden, then serve on top of the soup with your other favorite toppings.

*tortilla strip photos from On My Menu

Roasted Red Pepper, Corn & Garbanzo Bean Salad

Prep time: 1 hr (but only because it's served chilled--if you've refrigerated all the ingredients, you can make it in about 10 minutes and serve it immediately)

2 cans (15 oz. each) garbanzo beans
1 jar (16 oz.) roasted red pepper salsa
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed and drained (from a can works, too)
2 green onions, thinly sliced
8 leaf lettuce leaves
Fresh tomato wedges and sunflower sprouts (optional/garnish)

Rinse and drain beans well; place in 2 qt. casserole dish. Add roasted red pepper salsa, corn and onions; stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate 1 hr. or up to 24 hrs.

To serve, line serving platter with lettuce. Spoon bean mixture over top. Garnish with tomatoes and sprouts, if desired.

Makes 8 servings