Taco Soup

I was just typing this up for a friend and thought I would throw it on here in case someone doesn't have a good taco soup recipe...everyone needs that.

Taco Soup

Brown 1/2 -1 lb hamburger ( i usually throw i about 1/4 an onion and 1/2 a green pepper)

then in a pot put:
4 cups water
1 can tomato sauce
1 can stewed tomatoes (we don't like tomatoes so I do 2 cans sauce rather than this)
1 can corn
1 can black beans
1/2 package taco seasoning
browned hamburger
1 large can kidney beans

let it all come to a boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes. I also do this in the crock pot on low for a couple of hours. Top with cheese and chips...yummyliscious

Bacon-Potato Soup

6 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
5 cups water
2 cups chopped onions (or minced onions)
4 chicken bouillon cubes
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Combine potatoes, water, onions, and bouillon cubes in greased 5 to 7-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat 6-8 hours or until potatoes are tender. Stir in crumbled bacon, milk, and grated cheese. Cover and cook an additional 20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Makes 10-12 servings

Serve with hot biscuits and garnish soup with fresh chopped parsley.

VARIATION: Add 1/2 cup diced celery and 1/2 cup chopped carrots with potatoes at the beginning of cook time.

I made this on the stove instead of in a crock pot.  I added some flour to make the soup a bit thicker.  You may have to do this with the crock pot also, I'm not sure.

Beef Stew

Again...No picture. Sorry.

This is a great beef stew recipe that I found on thisweekfordinner.com. I have never found a stew recipe that we could actually enjoy. Easy, and my three year old loved it! I know it should be spring...but with the cold days we have had lately this recipe is perfect!

1 lb beef stew chunks
1/2 onion, or 1/2 packet dry onion soup
4 cups water
4 beef bouillon cubes
2-4 stalks celery
2-4 carrots
3-5 potatoes

put the beef (I cut mine in even smaller pieces than it came in) and onion in the crock pot for 3-4 hours. This will give it a head start on getting super tender. Add water and boullion. Let it do its thing for a couple more hours. Add carrots and celery. An hour or so later add potatoes. About an hour before serving add some flour and butter to help thicken...the potatoes will help too. Salt and pepper to taste. Yummy!!!

White Chili

I love this dish. My friend Brooke introduced us to it, and it is now a favorite!

Sauté:
1 T. vegetable oil
2 medium onions
2 cloves garlic

Simmer for 20 minutes:
3 c. chicken broth
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro or ½ t. coriander
2 T. lime juice
1 t. cumin
½ t. dried oregano leaves
¼ t. Tabasco
¼ t. salt
1 (11-oz.) can white shoe peg corn, drained
1 (16-oz.) can great northern beans, drained
1 (16-oz.) can butter beans, drained

Add:
2 c. chopped cooked chicken breast

Top with:
Lime juice
Sour Cream
Tabasco
Tortilla chips

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Chicken Tortellini Soup
Mmm...So good! Really, sometimes I get thrown off by the number of ingredents but this one is so easy!

2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 chicken breasts
1 large onion, chopped
2 or 3 stalks celery, diced
2 or 3 carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. sage
1 (28 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can chicken broth
1 c. cooking wine or beef broth
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 small pkg. fresh tortellini (Buitonni or similar)
Grated Parmesan for garnish

Saute chicken in olive oil. Saute celery, onions, and carrots in olive oil (in soup pan) until soft. Add shredded chicken, garlic, and spices. Mix in tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, etc. Simmer 1 hour. Cook tortellini. Rinse, drain, and add to soup. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.