Easy Christmas Ladies Luncheon

I set the table, made sure the candles were lit, and the Christmas music was playing.  I left a Christmas treat by each of their plates (Lindt Lindor Truffles), which added a little touch of Christmas color to my black and white table.

Soup:
It was a very cold and snowy week here in Nebraska, so soup was an obvious choice.  My cousin, Keeli, passed on a Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe that I have been wanting to try, so I did—and boy, am I glad I did! Yum!  I set out chips, salsa, shredded cheese; tortilla strips and brown rice, and let them help themselves to whatever toppings they wanted.

Chicken Tortilla Soup
1 pound shredded, cooked chicken
1(15oz) can whole peeled tomatoes,mashed
1(10oz) can enchilada sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1(4oz) can chopped green chile peppers
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups water
1(14.5 oz) can chicken broth
1t cumin
1t chili powder
1t salt
1/4t black pepper
1 bay leaf
1(10oz) frozen corn
Flour Tortillas, cut into strips, optional
Shredded Cheese, optional

Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn. Cover, and cook on low setting for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.  Serve in bowl topped with tortilla strips and shredded cheese, if desired

I had shredded chicken on hand b/c I had made this recipe.  I put it together the night before and then just plugged it in and set it on high and it was ready in time for lunch. 

Salad:
This is my go-to easy salad recipe.  Whenever I am asked to bring a dish, this is one I often choose to bring.  I can just buy the ingredients, bring a bowl and tongs, dump it all a bowl and toss once I am there.  This is a no-recipe, recipe.


Cranberry Spinach Salad
Bag of Spinach
Bag of Dried Cranberries
Slivered Almonds
Feta Cheese
Newman’s Own Lighten Up Raspberry Walnut dressing
Croutons
Dump Spinach into large bowl.  Add the rest of ingredients, amounts according to taste.  Toss and Serve.


Bread:
Honey Whole Wheat Bread
I like this recipe because I can just put it in my bread maker and choose the dough option.  Once it beeps, I put it into a loaf pan and let it rise another 1/2 hour or until about double, then bake.  I could just leave it in my bread maker and choose loaf setting, but I like the shape of a regular loaf pan.
Click here for the recipe.


Dessert:
Andes Mint Cookies
Click here for the recipe.


Drink:
Cranberry Spritzer
You can make your own (equal parts of cranberry juice and sprite) or buy a bottle like I did.  


 This luncheon really was easy.  Every recipe I chose was super simple and I already had the shredded chicken and cookie dough on hand in my freezer. 


We had a great time.  I have to admit, seeing each of them walk through the door made me REALLY miss our Wednesday Bible Study time together! 🙁
 I am so very thankful for the friendships I have, God has blessed me big time!!