Cali and cold weather

Californians really don't know what cold weather is like.  I still sit laughing with my sister from Indiana at times on how ridiculous I sound complaining about the cold here in Cali that is above 45 and below 70.  Lol. But no matter what, I get up early to pack a warm lunch for the girls into a thermos.  There are days I don't want to cook, but I do anyway because it gives me comfort knowing the munchkins are eating well.   One simple dish is the tomato based soup that Amaya loves.  My children are not big on meat...we do eat it but it is nice to have meatless days as well.  This cold morning we have a dish called Sopa de Fideo for lunch and Atolé on the go.  Simple dishes but warm and cozy.  For one of those days when you are just trying to find your sanity amongst the insanity.
 

Sopa de Fideo

Ingredients:
2 tomatoes, the riper the better
1/2 onion
Vegetable Better than Bouillon
Himilayan salt
1 package of shells or any small pasta

1. In a pot, place a small amount of oil and toss in the pasta.  Brown the pasta slowly. 

2. While the pasta is cooking, place the tomatoes and onions in the blender.  Depending on your taste and amount, you can add more tomatoes or less as well as the onion.  Add some water and liquify it.

3.  Once the pasta is golden brown, pour the liquid into the pot through a strainer.  I personally don't like to strain it.  I like to keep everything for the nutrition. 

4.  Bring it to a boil.  Add salt and vegetable bouillan to taste.  Once pasta is done, serve it with a dollops of sour cream.  Enjoy.

Oh the Atolé!  This is Breanna's favorite.  The fresh smell of boiling cinnamon sticks filling the house wakes her up...including my blend of coffee.  :)  So easy..I made it side by side to the Sopa de Fideo in the morning...it is quick enough! :)  Now you can substitute the sugar and milk for anything you prefer.  It is a rich and thick drink in the morning  that fills the stomach. 

Atolé

2 cinnamon sticks
Sugar
Oatmeal
Milk

1.  In a pot, boil the cinnamon sticks in about 1 cup to 2 cups of water. 

2.  While the cinnamon is boiling, add 2 cups of milk (I really don't measure stuff any longer but adjust to the amount you want), 1/2 cup of oatmeal into the blender, and liquify it. Depending on how thick you want it, add more oatmeal if you want or less for a thinner consistency!   

3. Once the water is a tinge of red with the cinnamon sticks, pour really cold water in it again. About 1 cup because the water would have evaporated by now and bring it back to a boil.  This will bring out more color and flavor from the cinnamon sticks. 

4. Once the cinnamon sticks boil again, pour the milk with the oatmeal through a strainer into the boiling water.  You can just pour it in, but I just scoop half of the oatmeal in there.  Make sure you stir it as it returns back to a boil.  Some prefer to pull out the cinnamon. I allow it to stay in to release more flavor.  Once it is hot, add sugar to taste, a little whip cream, and sprinkle with cinnamon on top.