Hurricane Reads

Monday, October 5, 2026

Italian Sausage #recipe

Italian Sausage Recipe

This is from the TikTok live on October 5, 2026.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground pork

1 TBS finely minced garlic

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp cracked fennel seeds

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp dried rosemary

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried ground sage

Gently, but thoroughly, mix all ingredients together. Chill overnight in a covered container, then fry and enjoy! I use it in spaghetti and pizza. Yum. 😋

Thanks for hanging out with me on TikTok live!

Mercedes Christesen

Chili Relleno Soup

Chili Relleno Soup

This is from the TikTok live on October 5, 2026.

Image by Google AI

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups canned chili peppers OR 5 Hatch chilies (see note)

2 TBS butter

3 TBS chopped onion

2-4 garlic cloves, minced (to taste, also can use jarlic)

1 tsp ground cumin

4 cups chicken broth

salt and pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

8 Tbsp cream cheese

4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (save 1 1⁄2 cups for topping)

Directions:

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, and green chili and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Stir in chicken broth and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a low simmer. Add chicken.

Melt cream cheese in microwave and add to pot, then add 2 1⁄2 cups of the cheddar cheese and whisk until smooth. Turn burner down to warm and let flavors marry for 15 minutes.

To serve, ladle into ovenproof bowls and sprinkle each with 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Place briefly under the broiler until cheese is melted and browned (this step is optional but OH SO GOOD! You can also use a blow torch to melt the cheese).

Notes:

I used canned roasted Hatch chilies and the soup is delicious. If you prefer to use fresh, here's how:

Roast green chili peppers until skin is charred and blistered. Char on all sides. (I use a blow torch.)

Place the chilies in a bag and seal. When cool enough to handle, peel as much skin as you can, then deseed and chop.

If you can't find NM chilies, you can use whatever variety of chilies you want. Your choice will determine the heat level of the soup.

This makes quite a bit of soup so you better invite some kids over. LOL.

Thanks for hanging out with me on TikTok live!

Mercedes Christesen

Sunday, October 4, 2026

Mediterranean Salad

This is from the TikTok live on October 2, 2026.

Photo by Google AI

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds (680 g) ripe tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 1/2 pounds (680 g) snacking cucumbers, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 small yellow onion or to taste, cut into 1/4-inch dice
Optional: 1 chili pepper, seeded and finely minced: I used jalapeño
1 lemon, ends trimmed and deseeded, very finely minced--rind, pith, flesh, and all
1/4 cup (or to taste) fresh mint leaves, finely chopped, or 2 tsp crushed dried mint

1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
1/2 cup (125 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
juice of 2 lemons
Salt and pepper to taste

Notes:

To decrease the liquid in the salad, deseed the tomatoes.

Also, you could add more lemon zest and less juice.

Thanks for hanging out with me on TikTok live!

Mercedes Christesen