Frankin Inn House Potato Pepper Soup

Here is the often requested recipe for the Franklin Inn Potato Pepper Soup. The Cibulas were inspired to create this soup from their various research and travels. This recipe makes a gallon of soup, so you'll have some to share with friends or be the hit of the potluck dinner. It's a little unexpected for a potato soup not to have a cream broth, but this unique soup is a hit with our patrons. I've brought it to my church's Soup'n Inspiration and it is gone in seconds! You could probably play with it and add more peppers, etc. if you'd like to turn up the heat. Let me know how it turns out for you.

Ingredients
10 ounces Onion - Spanish
2 cloves Garlic - Fresh Peeled
8 ounces Poblano Peppers
10 ounces Tomatoes
1 1/4 lbs Potatoes
1 1/2 teaspoons Base-Chicken
1/2 tablespoon Salt - Classic
1/2 Bunch Cilantro
2 quarts chicken stock
(we use Franklin Inn stock, but you could buy cans of prepared stock. Good stock is essential.)

Directions

• Heat 2 quarts chicken broth with 1.5 Tbsp chicken base
• Dice Spanish onion, Tomatoes and potatoes in 1/4" size
• Fine chop garlic cloves
• Dice Fresh poblano peppers
• Add above ingredients to chicken broth and simmer for 1 hour
• Add fresh cilantro about 10 minutes before soup is done.
• Add salt to taste.
• Serve garnished with shredded Monterrey Jack & Colby cheese and a sprig of fresh cilantro

Tequila Tasting was Terrific

Now we all know why Franklin Inn's Margaritas are the best North of the Border. Thank you to all who attended our Tequila tasting last night. Attendance was better than expected for 9pm on a week night. I hope everyone made it to work on time.

A special thank you to Charlie Cherico, our Sauza rep, from Southern Wines. He presented a great educational talk on tequila. We appreciate his time spent at the Franklin Inn and the awesome goodie bags and t-shirts he gave to our customers at the Tasting.

The Tequila Tasting was part of our weekend long celebration of National Tequila Day. Our staff and patrons have already been giving us ideas for the next event. Thank you to Charlie and Denise for sharing the pictures below. I still can't find my camera!

Photos above: Charlie presenting information on tequila; Patty, John and Franklin Inn Patrons "tasting." Photos Below: Wait, I think that one is staged...Denise is that a Diet Pepsi on the table that you forgot to crop out?;Wendy and John having a rare moment out late together with out the children.

National Tequila Day

This Thursday, July 24th is National Tequila Day. The Franklin Inn is celebrating with a Tequila Tasting. We've invited our Sauza Rep, Charles, to teach us a little about this special ingredient that reaches all the way back to the Aztecs in Mexico. One of the elements that makes tequila unique is the Blue Agava plant. A beautiful plant that looks like a cactus but is really a member of the Lily family.

There are two categories of Tequila:
100% Blue Agava Tequila
- 100% of the sugars come from the Blue Agave Plant
- Bottled only in designated regions of Mexico
Mixto Tequila
- At least 51% of the sugars must come from Blue Agave
- May be shipped in bulk and bottled in other countries

There are four types of Tequila:
- Joven: (or Gold): Unaged Tequilas that get their color from added caramel colorings.
- Blanco (or Silver): Unaged clear tequila.
- Reposado (or Rested): Aged for at least two months in wooden barrels.
- Añejo (or Aged): Aged 12 months or more in wooden barrels.

For more information on Tequila, come to the Tequila Tasting at the
Franklin Inn on Thursday, July 24th at 9pm.

Interesting links about Tequila:

History of Tequila

Agava Facts
Tequila Quiz
The Mexican Tequila Academy
Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico
Drink Recipes Using Tequila
Cooking with Tequila
More Cooking with Tequila

Enjoy a Tropical Escape at the Franklin Inn

Key Lime, Ocean Blue, Pink Hibiscus, Banana & Mango. These colors of our new t-shirts have inspired our Tropical Escape Weekend at the Franklin Inn. Enjoy fruity sangria, John's homemade mango ice cream, Karen's homemade banana blast, our fresh crab tostada and other seafood as well as your regular Mexican favorites. And, as always the best Margaritas in town. Sunday is also National Lollipop day, so bring the kids for a lollipop. Don't cook. Grab a couple friends and enjoy a few hours of a Tropical Escape.

Have a Happy Lolliop Day

Sunday, July 20th, is National Lollipop Day...
The Franklin Inn will be celebrating by giving suckers to the kids this week and on Sunday we will have the coveted ring pops while supplies last (Grace and Joey's pick!). I bet you are wondering what lollipops have to do with Mexican food. (Well...nothing, but I've discovered a website that lists all the holidays. I'm just having too much fun thinking of the possibilities. Did you know that August 8th is National Sneak Zucchini on to Your Neighbor's Porch Night? Next week is National Tequila Day.) Lollipops are so fun and festively colored just like our little Mexican Restaurant, so why not celebrate it. I looked lollipop up in the English to Spanish translator. It came up with Piruleta. If someone out there is fluent in Mexican Spanish, let us all know if this is correct.

Here are some links regarding Lollipops. I have not made any of these recipes, but they sound good so please let me know if you attempt it (you could always leave a sample at the Inn). ¡Día feliz de Piruleta!

History of Lollipops

Recipe for making your own flavored suckers.

When Suckers Were Good...How to Make a Delicious Lollipop

Recipe for Dipped Oreo Chocolate Suckers

The Science of Candy Recipes

New Tropical Color T-shirts Available

Mexican tropics inspired t-shirts are here. On the front is the now famous "Fill to this line with Margaritas" that Aunt Noreen Cibula created many years ago. On the back is the Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant logo that John's dad, Henry Cibula, designed. Currently all sizes and colors are available. Children's tie dyes are also available. They feature the logo only.




You can pick up your t-shirt at the Franklin Inn while supplies last.

Calling All Chocolholics!

Did you know that July 7th was the official Chocolate Day? We couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate chocolate. It's our duty as a Mexican Restaurant. After all, chocolate can be traced back to the Mayans and the Aztecs. Check our website later for details on the yummy food items that will be featured this weekend at the Franklin Inn. In the interim, here are a few sources of information on the history of chocolate and chocolate recipes. And, don't forget to try our Chicken Enchiladas Poblano Mole. It's one of our house specialties.

Savory Chocolate...add chocolate to your recipes
Gourmetsleuth
Chocolate: The Exhibition...everything you want to know about chocolate
Health Benefits of Chocolate...interesting
Chocolate Glossary of Terms
The Chocolate Challenge...Do you think you know your chocolate?

Closed July 4th...See ya on the 5th

Just a reminder that we will be closed on the 4th of July so that our staff can spend the holiday with their families. We will reopen on Saturday, July 5th at 11:00am. Join us for lunch or dinner. Check the website for more details on our weekend specials.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July.

Vexing Salad Vote?

We had trouble this week with the salad poll. I only received a few votes and several people told me that they were unable to vote. Did you have trouble voting for your favorite salad at the Inn this week? If so, please post your favorite in a comment to me here. I'm going to start a new poll today. Let me know if you are having trouble placing your vote for this one. Thanks.