Buena Mexi Chicken Chowder - Small

Product of Washington State

Rill's Specialty Soups are a Product of Washington State.

You Will Need:

8 oz Evaporated Milk or Milk Substitute

1/8 lb Bacon

1/2 Fresh Chicken Breast or 3 oz. Canned Chicken

Directions:

Chop 1/8 lb of Bacon. Cook in 3 quart sausepan until crisp; drain and discard the fat. Add 3 cups water and cooked cubed chicken, cover and bring to a boil. Add the contents of the soup package, stir to keep from sticking. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and continue cooking for approximately 18 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft. Stir occasionally to avoid scorching. When the potatoes are at the desired texture add 1 cup evaporated milk or a milk substitute. Heat until warm but do not boil. Serve and Enjoy!

Great Ideas for Dressing up your Buena Mexi Chicken Chowder

Tidbits of History - Buena

Buena Washington is a little known but important junction in the lower Yakima valley. The Buena junction takes off at I-82 exit 50 onto highway 22, heading south it takes you into the city of Toppenish known for the many western themed murals that can be seen painted through out the city. The murals attract thousands of visitors each year and it is worth a drive to view them.

This area is an agricultural hub surrounded by lush fields, vineyards and orchards. During WWII Yakima Valley farmers were in great need of laborers. Most of the American young men were in the armed forces and many U.S. laborers had gone to the Puget Sound area to work in defense plants along the Pacific coast. The federal government established the Bracero Program which allowed Mexican laborers to enter the United States on a temporary basis during the harvest season. Today there are many migrant workers that live in this area and work with a variety of crops including hay, all types of produce, hops and orchards.

The area is stunning in its diverse geographical area, continuing south on Highway 97 there is an amazing view of the snow capped volcanic peak of Mt Adams. It continues through the open, sagebrush and grass covered, hills of the Yakama Indian Reservation. There are dramatic changes in scenery as you make the steep inclines and descents on highway 97 as it brings you into the forested and beautiful Satus Pass, as it runs through the Simcoe Mountains. This opens up again at Goldendale, Washington where you can see the wide expanse of dry land farming. An especially dramatic scenic portion of the drive appears as Highway 97 cuts through the dry land farms making a dramatic drop into the Columbia River gorge where it meets up with the Oregon state line. Make sure to take time to stop at Stonehenge memorial, Mary Hill Museum and plan a picnic and swimming at the Mary Hill State Park along the Columbia River.