Spicy Tortellini Chicken Soup and 27 by 27

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April 27, 2011 by Dana

Today, my friends, I am 25 ½.

Yes, it’s my half birthday.  And yes, I know I’m well past the appropriate age to celebrate a half birthday.

But I’ve been inspired to write a list of goals. (I do love my lists.)  And since it’s not the New Year or my Birthday, and I’m certainly not patient enough to wait another six months, I figure my half birthday will have to do.

So here it is.  My list of 27 goals to complete by my 27th birthday.  These are not big, life changing goals, mind you.  They are everyday goals that could easily fall through the cracks if I don’t track them.  I’ve added a tab up top that I will keep up to date, and I’ll be sure to keep you abreast in my posts.  (Because I know you are just so interested.)

Without further ado, my 27 by 27 List:

Food

1.  Take two cooking classes
2.  Use five new to me ingredients
3.  Go to a new restaurant in each of the 5 boroughs of NYC
4.  Enter five food/recipe contests
5.  Cook at least one recipe from each cookbook I own
6.  Bake French macaroons
7.  Go completely meatless for a week

Health and Fitness

8.  Go to 25 yoga classes
9.  Run in a 5K
10.  Take a spin class
11.  Take a kickboxing class
12.  Drink at least 64 oz of water every day

Blog

13.  Reach 300 followers on the Food for Thought facebook page
14.  Reach 700 followers on my twitter account
15.  Feature a guest post on this site (any takers?)
16.  Write a guest post for someone else’s site
17.  Meet 3 other food bloggers in person

Travel

18.  Visit 2 new U.S. Cities
19.  Travel to another country, preferably in Europe

Community

20.  Participate in an event for a cause
21.  Volunteer for a day

Miscellaneous

22.  Plant an herb garden on my fire escape
23.  Learn how to really use my camera
24.  Do one touristy NY thing
25.  Surprise Jake with breakfast in bed
26.  Watch 3 movies from the AFI 100 years… 100 movies list
27.  Read 5 books that have nothing to do with school

Because I am oh-so-organized and ever prepared, not only am I posting this list today, but I am also posting a recipe which will help me complete one of the listed goals!  If you scroll back to item #4, you will see that I plan to enter at least 5 food and recipe contests over the course of the next year and a half.

Well, here is entry number one of five:  a delicious Spicy Tortellini Chicken Soup!

Barilla challenged Foodbuzz Featured Publishers to imagine an Italian-inspired recipe or meal created with Barilla Tortellini.  They will choose six finalists to make their recipes, and the grand prize winner will win a trip to Italy!

Today is the deadline for this challenge, so I am posting in the nick of time.  Notice there’s nothing about not procrastinating on my list.  Baby steps.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
4  onions, chopped
4  garlic cloves, diced
2  red bell peppers, diced
8  carrots, peeled and sliced
2 lb chicken breast, cut into tiny pieces
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 oz  can diced tomatoes (not drained)
4 cups water
32 oz chicken broth
8 oz package of Barilla Ricotta & Spinach Tortelloni

Directions 

1.  In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, bell pepper and carrots. Saute until onions are translucent (about 4 minutes). Add chicken, spices, salt and pepper, and cook for 3 more minutes.

2.  Add tomatoes, chicken broth, water, and tortelloni to the pot. Bring to a boil and then immediately lower to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 20-30 more minutes, until tortellini is cooked through and flavors have melded.

This recipe is a definite winner (hint, hint!).  The spicy broth is the perfect complement to the tasty Barilla Tortelloni and veggies.  Jake and I both really enjoyed it… if all goes to plan, we will soon be enjoying our free trip to Italy as well ;)