Easy Taco Soup

This is one super easy dinner that you can throw together in the morning... or better, put it all in your crock the night before, set it in the fridge and just set it in the cooker the next morning on low heat. At the end of the day come home to a wonderfully warm, ready to eat dinner your family will love!

Taco Soup

• 2 lbs. Ground Beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cans  (8oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 2 cans (8 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cans (8oz) pinto beans with jalapenos
• 1 can yellow hominy (drained)
• 1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (dry)
• 1 pkg. Taco Seasoning

1. In a medium skillet, brown meat and drain.
2. Add onion and cook until tender
3. In a large pot  add remaining ingredients
4. Add meat and onion mixture and bring to a simmer.
5. Cover and Simmer for 30min. - 1 hour on stove top, stirring occasionally.
6. OR cook all day on low heat in Crock pot.

Top with sour cream, cheese, and/or diced avocados.
Great served with Cornbread, Corn Chips, or Tortillas... and makes great leftovers!

Serves 8

Southwest Sliders w/Chipotle Mayo

I have been inspired!  I saw some cute little home style burgers at a restaurant the other day, and thought I would give my hand at them, but because I can't leave anything alone... I decided to spice things up a bit and add a little Southwest pizazz!!

I like to call them Southwest Sliders, but William refers to them as  SKY BURGERS. ( free iPhone app, you'll have to check it out)

Southwest Sliders w/Chipotle Mayo

Burgers:

• 2 lbs. Ground Beef
• 1 (10oz) can Rotel original
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic salt

1. Mix Beef, rotel, eggs, onion powder and garlic salt
2. Form into 2 inch balls and flatten into a patty (making middle slightly indented)
3. Preheat Grill on Medium heat  cook for 15 minutes, turning halfway through.

Chipotle Mayonnaise

• 1 c  mayonnaise or light mayonnaise (do not use salad dressing, it will be too watery)
• 2 chipotle peppers with 1 tbs adobo sauce
• juice of 1 lime

1. Chop peppers,adobo sauce, and lime juice in a food processor until smooth texture.
2. Stir mixture into Mayonnaise
3. Keep refrigerated up to 2 weeks. Use Mayo on Burgers, Sandwiches, and Fajitas.

Spread mayo on both sides of potato roll, add a southwest patty, and top with all your favorites.
We used American Cheese, lettuce, tomato, and red onion.

Back to Basics with Meatballs

A friend of mine emailed earlier this week asking for my meatball recipe. So I thought if I was sharing I might as well share for all to see.  I have to say first, it's pretty basic; but you are guaranteed good moist, meatballs to add to any dish, home style or Italian.

Homemade Meatballs

• 2 lbs of ground beef
• 1 1/4 c. of bread crumbs or old fashioned oats
• 1/2 c. milk
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs

1. Heat Oven to 400 Degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients together, I find it is easiest to use my hands.
3. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a greased jelly roll pan or (2)9x13 pans
4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Until center is no longer pink and juices run clear.

*sometimes I add 1/2 c of grated cheddar cheese and 1/4 c of grated Parmesan cheese  Depending on what I'm serving with.


These are great to add to any pasta dish or with mushroom gravy and rice, YUMMY!!! Try them at your next family movie night! What do you serve with your meatballs?