Taco Soup

This is a kind of taco soup where you open up a can of what ever you want to add. This soup originated from Janie Poulson's receipe. This particular dish I did the following:

• Browned ground beef and added about 1 package of taco seasoning. I do this in a big pot that will be for the soup, that way I limit the amount of dishes that need to be cleaned. 
• Kidney beans (not drained)- I felt like they needed to cook with the seasoning after the beef was browned so I added them first.
• corn (drained)
• I happened to have some baby carrots and celery in the fridge so I cut those up and put them in a bowl with water and microwaved for a couple of minutes until they were cooked. Then I added them as well water and all.
• The original recipe calls for tomato paste. Since my hubby is not a big tomato lover like I am, I left that out. Last fall my mom and I canned different salsa's, she made a chunky kind that had onions, tomatoes, green pepper and good seasonings. So I opened up a jar and added it as well. :) 
• I cooked it for about 20 minutes to let it season well. 
• Serve with chips, cheese, sour creme
• Even my little 2 year old was eating this. :)

*This recipe could be frozen or maybe even canned. I remember when I was little and my family had been sick, Janie Poulson brought over a jar of her recipe, but I am not certain if it had actually been canned. 

Note: I didn't think to take a picture until we were cleaning up. :)

CROCK POT WHATEVER!!

Crock Pot Whatever

Ground beef or stew meat.  I ALWAYS have both on hand.

In a Tupperware "cooker/stacker" (or frying pan if you don't have one - just drain the grease) pre-cook (in microwave about 8-9 minutes) ground beef (or stew meat) with dried onion flakes & some seasonings (I use homemade "Red Flame Seasoning" minus the MSG & extra white salt -- also in cookbooks).  The grease drops into the bottom. Breakup chunks, microwave till cooked through.  Put in zip lock bags.  Try to expel as much air as possible. Sandwich size is just over 1# cooked. Quart is about 2# cooked. Store in freezer.

     In the morning, empty one bag into crock pot, add sauce, broth, soup, chili beans, etc.  Limitless possibilities.  Also on top of the stove (last minute) any of the above and add pasta, veggies, etc.

  Favorites "Stroganoff, Taco Soup, spaghetti.

Chicken chunks

Bake fresh chicken breasts (you can get 6-8+ half breasts on one cookie sheet) in 350 degree oven about 1 hour.  Cool slightly.  Cut into pieces.  Put one half breast in zip lock bag. Try to expel as much air as possible.

          In the morning, empty one bag into crock pot, add sauce, broth, soup, chili beans, etc.  Limitless possibilities.  Also on top of the stove (last minute) any of the above and add pasta, veggies, etc.

  Favorites "Angel Chicken" or "Sweet & Sour Chicken" over rice.

     This has saved many calls from kids... "what's for dinner"?  Also, the kids can turn it on later in the day, if it doesn't need to cook all day.

     If you can't use them, that's fine, also.

From the Kitchen of Diane P.