ok so pregnancy cravings are in full effect. but it’s not for one category in particular. it’s like nothing will sound good to me until something does. that is how i ended up mowing down some olga snackers last week sunday. (ps did you know a fricken basket of those buggers has like 1300 calories?!) whoops. anyway. the other day i was absolutely CRAVING max and ermas tortilla soup. i know there is one or two on the east side of the state but i wasn’t crazy enough (yet) to drive that far. lucky for me my mom had a pretty good knock off recipe for it. her max and ermas tortilla soup knockoff is pretty darn close with one little bad thing… it is not that good for you. like nope no good. i made a few adjustments. by adjustments i mean i used skim milk, more broth and half the amount of cheese. don’t worry it still tasted fabulous.
so here is what you need. this will take you about 30 minutes (less the chicken cooking time if you don’t have any pre cooked).
- 1/4 cup of butter
- 1/4 cup of flour
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1 cup of fat free/skim milk
- 4 oz velveeta cheese cut into cubes (it was found in the international aisle of the allegan grocery store lol)
- 1 can of tomatoes with chilies (i used fire roasted)
- 4 cups of cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp of red pepper flakes (optional but i like it spicaaaay)
- salt and pepper
- optional tortilla or tortilla chips for dippin
- optional cheese and greek yogurt/sour cream for toppings.
in a large pot slowly melt the butter. do not let it burn. add the flour and cook until makes a paste. cook for about a minute to cook the flour taste out of it but don’t leave unattended it will burn fast.
slowly whisk in the chicken broth about 1 cup at a time until the paste is dissolved. then add the milk and whisk. (you’ll get a nice bicep here)
reduce the heat to low and add the velveeta cheese. make sure you taste a cube first.. you know to make sure it’s good.
stir in tomatoes, spices and chicken and cook until heated through.
enjoy!
note: it’s almost better the next day 🙂
