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This is a tasty soup that is similar to chili but lighter. Perfect for summer? Absolutely.
I call it tortilla soup, though I don’t usually put tortillas in it, because I don’t like soggy tortilla bits in my soup. The recipe started out as a legit tortilla soup, so I still call it that. And hey: if you like soggy tortilla bits in your soup, then have at it. It’s made for it.
Also, it says vegetarian in the title, but the only thing making it not vegan is that I garnish it with cheese and sour cream. Omit those or use vegan substitutes, and you’ve got yourself a tasty vegan soup, too!
For the meatatarians you can throw in a cup of shredded chicken, if you so choose.
The recipe as written is not very spicy- you can adjust the amount of jalapeno or other hot pepper to your taste.
Ingredients
- 2 TB olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 6 0z mushrooms, diced
- 1 medium sweet potato, diced
- 15 oz can black beans
- 32 oz can Dei Fratelli seasoned diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth (I use BTB- mushroom or vegetable)
- 1 dried guajillo pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1.5 cups corn (I prefer fresh- 2 cobs should do, but canned works when it’s not in season)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- Optional Garnish: tortilla chips, cheese (I love Quesadilla cheese), sour cream, diced avocado
Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, chili powder, and salt and saute for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the bell pepper, jalapeno (I recommend wearing gloves when handling the jalapeno), and mushrooms. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sweet potato, black beans, tomatoes, and broth and stir to combine.
- Add the guajillo and bay leaf. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until the veggies are tender, about 20-30 minutes.
- Remove the guajillo and bay leaf. Add the corn, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Serve with cheese, sour cream, avocado, and tortilla chips. Oh, and cornbread. Gotta have cornbread.
This is a step by step tutorial for a ruffled tulle skirt with an fun printed underlayer that “peeks” out. This skirt would be perfect for Prom or any other formal event.
And while it will probably take you a few hours to make, the materials are very inexpensive. If you’re on a budget, this is the skirt for you!
Here was the cost of my skirt:
$3.50 – 3 yards of tulle
$10.00 – 1 yard underlayer fabric
$1.50 – 1 yard elastic
$15 – total
You could get a little crazier with some fancy tulle (something with sparkles or sequins) and a more expensive underlayer (satin, taffeta, etc.) and still be well under $50 for your total budget!
Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! There are a ton more tutorials on the way.
This tutorial was filmed using a Creative Labs Vado HD Digital Video Camera, a Canon Rebel (for still shots), and edited in Sony Vegas Movie Studio. Continue reading…
I am happy to share the newest WhatTheCraft Pattern has arrived in the shop! It’s a vintage style apron with lots of retro flair- a flouncy twirly circle skirt, sweetheart bust, ruffled hem, and adjustable neck and waist ties!
And to compliment the apron, I’ve also released a free pattern for a collection of vintage style pockets! Of course they make a perfect addition to the apron, but you can also use them on bags, clothing, etc. And did I mention they’re free?
This is Part 3 of my 7 Ways To Gather Fabric series! This time I’ll show you the “Cheater Method” of gathering fabric with a sewing machine.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! There are a ton more tutorials on the way.
This tutorial was filmed using a Creative Labs Vado HD Digital Video Camera, a Canon Rebel (for still shots), and edited in Sony Vegas Movie Studio.
It jumped to hot weather here so fast, my little winter sown containers are growing fast! Usually you’d start taking the tops off during the day and replacing them at night when it got fairly cool, but it’s been so warm that it’s barely even dipped into the 40s at night which means replacing the tops was unnecessary.
I think I lost a flat of Maltese Cross due to not removing the top (or not making the aeration holes bigger) soon enough… the seedlings were teeny tiny and look like they got cooked. Oops. Lesson learned!
And I have 3 small flats that I think I forgot to drill holes in because they have no germination and seem very waterlogged. And I sowed 2 or 3 flats of pink profusion zinnias that I got in a trade that just didn’t germinate for me. I don’t know if it was me or the seeds. In either case, I’ve got dozens and dozens and DOZENS of flats that germinated perfectly, so 5 or 6 losses is pretty damn good! Plus, there’s still time to resow containers and try again!
Speaking of zinnias, here are some liliput zinnias that are doing just fine!
The lupines that were my first seeds to germinate are starting to get pretty tall. I think that’s foxglove sandwiched between the flats of lupine.
Continue reading…
This is Part 2 of my 7 Ways To Gather Fabric series! This time I’ll show you the traditional way of gathering fabric with a sewing machine.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! There are a ton more tutorials on the way.
This tutorial was filmed using a Creative Labs Vado HD Digital Video Camera, a Canon Rebel (for still shots), and edited in Sony Vegas Movie Studio.
I built my first raised bed from concrete blocks (aka cinder blocks) a few years ago, though my garden wasn’t too successful because our yard had become much shadier. But now that we moved, I have a big empty yard that gets lots of sun!
You might be wondering about the blocks, since chances are most raised beds you’ve seen were made of wood. I didn’t like the wood idea for a variety of reasons.
- treated lumber has poison in it, and I don’t care how safe or how little gets into the food. I don’t want poison around my vegetables. Better safe than sorry.
- lumber rots.
- lumber has to be nailed/bolted/etc. together.
- lumber has to be cut to size.
- once you make your garden box, that’s the size of your box.
So I thought about suitable alternatives. Some people do freeform beds without any supports. Just pile up the dirt and organic matter and start planting. Some use old tires. Some go fancy and get landscaping rocks or bricks. I decided to go cheap and ugly with regular cement blocks. Standard 8″x8″x16″ masonry blocks, which I got at Menards for about $1 a piece.
The advantages:
- no chemical leaching.
- no nails, no cutting.
- they last forever.
- even cooler, if I decide to expand beds, change their shape, move them, or make them smaller, I just move the bricks one by one.
Did I mention they’re cheap?
But hey, you can use whatever you want to make your raised beds. Just adapt these instructions to fit your needs!
Here’s a quick photo of the back yard, in it’s not-quite-spring-yet, grey and scraggly state:
Now let’s start building! Continue reading…
This is part 1 of a seven part series that will show you damn near every possible way to gather fabric. Yeah, I said seven.
Why so many, you ask.
Isn’t one good enough?
Different fabrics will be better suited to different methods of gathered, so that’s why. Now quit questioning my authority!
Hold on to your butts….
Method 1 – How to Gather Fabric by Hand
Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! There are lots more tutorials on the way.
This tutorial was filmed using a Creative Labs Vado HD Digital Video Camera, a Canon Rebel (for still shots), and edited in Sony Vegas Movie Studio.
After weeks of almost non-stop rain and even some snow (EW!), I think it’s finally really spring! It was 65 degrees today, and I took advantage of the nice weather by finishing up the first raised bed for my vegetable garden. (More on that in a few days.)
I thought I’d post my progress with my winter sowing project. I have lots of sprouts and seedlings now, which makes me do the happy garden dance. I’ve sown 86 containers so far! Here’s a picture of my so-called “pot ghetto”.
Not the most attractive set up, but there’s no way I’d have enough space to start that many seedlings indoors. I’ll trade form for function any day.
Of the 50 or so containers I sowed in February and March, I’d say about 60% have sprouts now. I did a giant batch of containers a few days ago, including the first of my veggies!
Here’s a little sample of the progression my Russell Lupines have made, which were my first seeds to germinate:
 These seeds were sown on February 14th and I saw the first signs of germination on March 30th.
 A few more seedlings have poked out their heads! This photo was taken on April 4th.
 April 22nd and the first “true leaves” have appeared! So the verdict? Winter sowing totally works, and it is AWESOME. I’ve sown enough flower seeds to fill a 250 square foot bed. If I’d tried to buy plants to fill that, I’d have to spend over $1000.
With winter sowing, I got over half of the seeds for free in a seed exchange. The other half I bought and paid about $30. Add in the cost of potting mix, and I’m still only at maybe $50 total! The containers are free. The lighting is free. The space on my patio is free!
This is a quick and easy step by step tutorial for how to sew a fabric bow. You can turn your bow into a clip / barrette for your hair or a pin / brooch for clothing, bags, etc.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! There are lots more tutorials on the way.
This tutorial was filmed using a Creative Labs Vado HD Digital Video Camera, a Canon Rebel (for still shots), and edited in Sony Vegas Movie Studio.
I made the iridescent blue/pink bow from this awesome fabric from WholePort.com!
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Did you just craft your pants?
Howdy, I'm Lex! I'm a craft addict & an independent fashion designer, and I make crazy, kawaii, punk clothing. This is where I share my tricks of the trade. DIY tutorials, tips, supply sources and more!
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