Monday, November 3, 2008

Fall into Flavor - Taco Soup

Here it is, Monday again! This seems to come around often... like at least once a week!

I have really been enjoying this fun time of "Fall into Flavor" hosted by Lid at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

We are supposed to share a recipe of some nice fall comfort food... You really need to jump over to Lid's and check out all the recipes and even go back and read more...

One of my favorite things when the weather gets cold is soup. It is warming and soothing. Even though right now we are experiencing some really nice nice warm fall weather, I'm going to share a soup recipe. As usual, this recipe has a story with it too... most of my favorite comfort foods have special emotional ties - which, I'm sure explains why they are so "comforting".

Last year was our first year in our new home state. The weather, country side, residents and tastes are much different from our old "home" state. There is a local restaurant in the town and we enjoyed eating there often. Everything was homemade and Mel developed her own recipes and was always generous to share them.

One day after lunch it seemed like all the girls were talking about the delicious soup they had at Mel's. I had missed it because I just went home... BUT, we went there for supper that night and I ordered the soup. I was so excited because it was a cold day and I was wanting some nice warm soup.... they were OUT!!!!!! I was so disappointed I thought I was going to cry (yes, an emotional eater here). Anyway, Mel came out and was so kind and she GAVE me the recipe and told me when she planned to fix it next and that she would make sure to save me a bowl!

Sure enough, the next week, I got a bowl of this delicious soup... and it has become a staple in our home now... oh, it's also good to take to covered dish dinners and is a hit! (trust me on this, you can put it in a crock pot and you don't take any home!)

Taco Soup

2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 (4 oz) can green chilies
1 (1 1/4 oz) package taco seasoning
1 (1 oz) package ranch dressing mix
1 can corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans
1 can chili beans

(all cans are undreained)

Brown beef with onion, salt and pepper (to taste)
Drain grease
Add everything else and enough water depending if you ant it thick or thin.
Bring to a boil and then simmer 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy with some cornbread (NOT sweet!)

6 comments:

Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...

One of our all-time favorite soups is this soup right here. And I love it because I can literally whip it up in 30 minutes! Mine is almost exaclty the same, except I don't have the ranch dressing mix...I may have to add that in!

:-)

larkswing said...

Happy Monday!!
The soup sounds wonderful! Another goodie to add to the list to make . .. :)

The LaBouffs said...

I'll have to try this. I know we've talked about it before...but I don't realy care much for soup unless it's cold (and it's even better when it's rainy too)!

Sharon said...

Mmmmmm, sounds like a great recipe! Thanks for dropping by -- and let me know if you try out the muffin recipe with spice cake mix. Good idea!!!

Skoots1moM said...

thanks!
will try it later this week...we love tacos at our house!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Your definition of "emotional eater" cracked me up. In the last couple of years, I have become a soup addict. This sounds like a keeper. Also, the Mel story is really neat because it epitomizes regular ol' great Americans. Sorry. I'm feeling patriotic, too.