Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Taco Soup

dancingtaco

I don't have a picture of this soup, so here's a random photo I found of a guy in a taco costume
(which immediately reminded me of Justin Timberlake in this SNL skit).

This is one of the soups I made last weekend. I'm still happily eating leftovers - the recipe yields a LOT. I even froze some of it. I don't really like beans, but in this soup they're so well-balanced and flavorful that I hardly notice them! And the cooking couldn't be easier.

Taco Soup
from A Year of Slow Cooking
(sadly, this recipe hasn't made it into either of the cookbooks)

Ingredients:
2 cans kidney beans (I used less-intense white kidney, or cannelini, beans)
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans corn, undrained
1 large can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can Rotel tomatoes and chilies
1 packet taco seasoning (I used about half the packet)
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1 lb ground turkey or hamburger
Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips/strips, sliced avocado

Directions:
1. Brown the meat if you're using it (the recipe works without it). Drain the fat, if necessary, and put the meat in the Crock-Pot. Sprinkle the seasoning packets on top of the meat.

2. Drain the beans and rinse well (because they're seriously gross straight from the can :P). Add to the pot.

3. Add the corn, tomatoes, and Rotel, and stir. Depending on your preferences, you might want to add water to make the soup soupier. I did.

4. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5. The recipe recommended a lower setting to allow the flavors more time to blend, and I agree! Stir, and serve with the toppings listed, or whatever else you want.

4 comments:

  1. This is similar to my Taco Soup recipe, which was adapted from one given to me by my sister. But I don't use a slow-cooker, because we don't own one. :) I hate to cook, but this is one of the dishes I make that the kids love, so we make a point to have it when Dad is out of town on business or whatever. I like the idea of the ranch dressing mix - hmm! I will have to try that. I also add a can of enchilada sauce to mine to make it redder since my kids won't eat it with tomatoes. So nothing like this recipe at all actually. I'll shut up now. Ha.

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  2. LOL! R, I thought the ranch dressing mix was a little odd too, but the soup doesn't taste at all ranchy. So whatever it does, it's subtle.

    I HIGHLY recommend slow cookers! :)

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  3. It was a super tasty soup - thanks for sharing the recipe!

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