Monday, January 18, 2010

My New second favorite soup


I found this in a Rachel Ray mag and changed it up just a little bit:

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

-2 tablespoons EVOO
-1 lb skinless boneless chicken breasts
-salt and pepper
-3 Carrots, sliced crosswise
-1/2 cup long-grain rice, rinsed (uncooked as recipe is written,
but use already cooked rice at the end if you have some)
-One 16 ounce package frozen black-eyed peas
-One 32 ounce container chicken broth
-One 9 ounce package frozen creamed spinach
(I cant find this, so I just use regular frozen spinach and remove the
"Creamy" from the title)
-French Baguette for serving

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper and bake it or fry it up in the pan. Transfer to a plate. Put carrots, rice (if uncooked), rice and beans in a large put and cook for about a minute. Add chicken broth and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer over high heat then lower the heat and simmer until the rice and beans are tender (about 20 minutes)
2. Meanwhile, shred or cube the chicken. Add to the soup along with the spinach (add rice here if already cooked) and cook for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Serve with the baguette.

Of course, I tear the bread into the soup and it tastes awesome!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

A short rest...

It's been awhile since my last post...I've had a little break from Sweet Portrayal since Christmas since its been so cold out! But I've got several maternity and newborn pics lined up as I finish up my time here in St. Louis and I am so excited. I want to get as many of these in as I can before I move to Arkansas since my goal is to specialize in Maternity, Newborns, and Babies to 1 year - I really want to hit the ground running there and what better way to start off than with a jammin' portfolio! I look back on the first newborn pics that I did and cant really understand what kept me going at that point. I mean, the pics were okay, but I have really come a long way - if I do say so myself. I always did seem to get the "most improved" awards in school though. I was happy with that until I found out what that meant - there was no where to go from where I was but up! LOL!
All of that to say...if you know anyone out there with a new baby on the way please refer them my way!!! Be sure to tell them to let me know who referred them and there will be rewards!!!
So in my respite I have still been taking pics - even more than usual actually. I started doing Project 365 on New years - and I love it! If you are into photography at all I suggest you start this - it is so beneficial whether you are an experienced professional photographer or just got your first point and shoot yesterday! It has helped me expand me knowledge and broaden my ideas. You can see my pic of the day each day on my flickr site (link to the right). I will post a few of my faves which include pics of my family: