Chicken vegetable soup

Today's hearty soup was one made in the spare of the moment. We needed lunch and I knew if I made this there would be enough for another lunch serving or two!

Easy with little effort and you can create a bowl of yumminess.

If you have one boneless chicken breast you can cook it in the broth and shred it before you serve the soup. Boneless chicken cooks quickly in broth or water.  In about one hour after prep. It will be ready to enjoy.

Soup's on!!!!

Note:

Frozen veggies can be used if you don't feel like using fresh.  I used my handy chopper and chop my veggies in advance and freeze them . Like this!

I boneless chicken breast(use more if you like lots of chicken)

1-32 oz or more chicken broth

1cup chopped carrots 

1 cup chopped onions

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup diced tomatoes( I didn't use juice but you can do do if you desire)

1medium diced potato 

1can rinsed and drained northern beans

1cup frozen peas

1cup small noodles (acne de Pepe) or orzo, tiny shells etc. but they should be small.

Grated cheese for garnish (optional)

Crockpot Green chilles and tomatoes cubed steak

We had a nice weekend which included our (hubby and my) dual class reunion back in our hometown. I was able to see people I have not seen since graduation.  It was a really nice time.

Today I had to get back to reality so thinking ahead as I usually do; yes I'm a planner. Last evening before I hit the sheets I took out two pounds of cubed steak from the freezer and placed them in my refrigerator to thaw.

Cut in strips as in photo

Note:  If you don't know what cubed steak is it is basically tenderized round steak (beef) which is sold as cubed steak.  They are usually sold in large pieces or patties.

I did not have a clue what I was going to do with them but after a little thought I realized I had a can of diced tomatoes with chile so this is when I decided this would be tonight's dinner. Simple and very tasty.  That is if you like spicy.  It was spicy.

Simply cut the cubed steak in strips.  Slice a whole onion rather thin. In a skillet(I like to brown my meat first) add some olive oil.  Place onion in first and allow it to start to simmer, add steak, salt and pepper and cook until slightly browned.  Place in your crockpot which you have set to low.  Add the 1 can of tomatoes with the chilles (juice and all) on top of the meat. Cook on low for approximately 4 to 5 hours.  It does cook faster than other type steak(round) since it has been tenderized. (pounded with a mallet to tenderize). Hope to hear you enjoyed this easy meal.

I served it over mashed potatoes....Family friendly store bought Bob Evans. xo

Crockpot friendly 

2 lb. cubed steak cut in strips 

Salt and pepper 

1 medium onion sliced 

1 can diced tomatoes and green chilles

Happy Cooking!

A few hours at the Phipps Conservatory

Hubby surprised me and asked if I wanted to go to the Phipps Conservatory. He's not into flowers ,butterflies and all types of plants so this was huge! Here's a few beauties I captured with my camera. Enjoy!

Re-post 6/13/16

This was basically a small tour of their gardens.  If you ever visit Pittsburgh put this on your list of must see.  Relaxing day or a few hours.  There is plenty of information provided as you walk through the conservatory about these flowers and plants. 

It's always a good day when you learn something new.

Smiles and Love,