Day 10 - Let the Improvisation Begin!

This morning, Sydney's breakfast was the final Campbell's Soup at Hand, hold the drama! I guess the cooler mornings have definitely put her in a "soup" mood. And there was no drama. Life is good.

But more importantly, last night's dinner! I had decided yesterday morning to try a new recipe for Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas, using the leftover turkey breast from the other night, homemade spanish rice and canned f/f refried beans. It's a 10 pt dinner, but I had planned for it so I had the WW points available.

So, I'm cruising through my day, knowing I've got dinner all planned. It's pantry-friendly AND I'm using leftover turkey, so I'm all proud of my resource effincies.

So around 5:00, I start gathering the ingredients.

First ingredient: 2 cans cream of chicken soup. "No problem," I think, I ALWAYS have a full supply of "cream of whatever" soups. Uh, NO! I search the kitchen pantry and the spare BR closet. Not one can. Nada. Null set. Zippo.

Previously, I would have added "cream of whatever" soup to today's shopping list, made the mexican fiesta tonight and improvised with something quick/easy for last night's dinner at hand. But, dear readers, that is no longer an option.

So, I went on a substitution quest. What could I substitute for the soup that is going to be mixed with tomatilla salsa verde to make the enchilada sauce?

Aha! Google to the rescue! I actually found a recipe (below) for "cream of whatever" substitute that worked out pretty well. And I think I might just keep the dried mixture on-hand and mix the liquid in as-needed for future soup substitutions....at least until I run out of dried milk.

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas (from Campbell's...shhhhhh! Don't tell them I substituted the soup...and also made a few minor changes to make it more WW points friendly)

2 can 98% f/f Cream of Chicken Soup* (or equivilant of substitution below)
1 17.6 oz bottle tomatillo salsa verde (could probably use regular salsa)
1 1/2 lb cooked poultry meat
2 fresh red peppers, diced
1/2 lg sweet onion, diced
1/2 c cilantro, chopped
3/4 c 2% shredded cheddar
8 96% f/f flour tortillas

-Combine soup & salsa & set aside. In separate bowl combine remaining ingredients except cheddar and tortillas. (In the future, I suggest sauteing the peppers & onions first. If you add them raw they're still a little firm after baking.) Add 1/2 c cheese and mix well.
-Spoon 1 c salsa mixture on bottom of 9x13 baking dish.
-Divide poultry mixture evenly among 8 tortillas and roll up to form enchiladas. Place each one in the baking dish, seam side down. It will probably be a tight fit but squeeze them in.
-Pour remaining sauce evenly on top of enchiladas & sprinkle with remaining cheese.
-Bake at 375* for about 30 mins or until cheese is melted and enchiladas are slightly brown. Makes 8 generous servings.

My Spanish Rice
2 c chicken stock*
1 c instant rice (uncooked)*
1 pkt taco seasoning*
1/3 c salsa*

Boil stock, salsa & seasoning. Add rice. Simmer on low, covered, for 20 mins. Makes 4 servings (ATTN WWers: I only had a 1/2 serving of this to keep the whole meal under 10 pts.)

"Cream of Whatever" Soup Substitute (from "thriftyfun.com")
2 cups dry milk powder
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken boullion granules
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. onion powder

Combine all. Mix well. Store in air tight container. Yield: 3 cups

FOR CONDENSED SOUP SUBSTITUTE:
Blend 1/3 cup mix and 1 1/4 cups water in micro-safe dish until smooth. Microwave 2 1/2 - 3 minutes, stirring occasionally; cool. Use as substitute for 10 3/4 oz. cr. chicken, celery or mushroom soup.

FOR 1 1/2 CUPS SOUP:
Blend 1/3 cup mix with 1 1/2 cups water and prepare as above.

OPTIONAL:
May add freeze dried mushrooms when finishing soup. OR add finely chopped celery for celery soup. If you use it before it cools is seems to be a little thin but will thicken when cooled. If I plan to use it in a recipe I try to make it a few hours (or the night before and refrigerate it) so that it has time to thicken.