Taco Soup

This is an old stand-by for the fall and winter. It's great when you can buy canned veggies on sale or buy-one-get-one free. It serves a crowd and is quite filling. We eat half and I freeze the rest!

1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion
3 cans diced tomatoes
1 can pinto beans
1 can corn
1 can black beans
1 can diced green chilies
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix

Brown beef and onion in large pot. Drain. Add everything else (I drain the corn and rinse the black beans first)...heat through!

Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and if you have some, a sprinkling of cilantro!

Taco Chicken Wraps

Today I pulled out my Crockpot for the first time since winter. I am slowly moving away from my summer grill-dependence and towards the Slow Cooker to get autumn dinners prepared early in the day.

This recipe is one that I received at a Freezer Cooking seminar a few years ago. I had never tried it until today, but it's tasty and filling so it'll be a keeper for sure.

1 lb. frozen corn
3-4 frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 packet taco seasoning mix
16 oz. salsa
2 cans black beans

Tortillas, sour cream, cheese, and lettuce.

Layer all ingredients in Crockpot. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Stir at 4 hours. Stir again at the end...when you stir this time, the chicken will break apart/shred and the mixture will thicken.

Serve with whole-grain tortillas and all the fixin's!


photo by MariSheibley

Vegetable Chowder

My tummy has been under-the-weather this week and everything I eat seems to make me feel bad. So as I was debating my lunch choices today, I thought:

"a bowl of simple soup is just what I need!"

So I reached for my More-with-Less Cookbook because I thought it would give me the best chance of a recipe with the ingredients I have on hand. And it delivered, as usual. This is a simple vegetable chowder that is easy to throw together for a warm, nourishing lunch.

1/2 cup rice, uncooked
3 chicken bouillon cubes
5 cups water
1/2 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced potatoes
1 minced onion
1/2 cup finely cut celery
1 cup canned tomatoes
2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Bring to a boil and simmer 45 minutes. Add when ready to serve:
1 cup milk
Heat almost to boiling and serve immediately.

No frills, just soupy comfort.


photo by peskymac