Tasty Tuesday - Taco Soup

At the request of some of my Facebook friends, today’s recipe is Taco Soup. There are several versions of this out there so you may already have something similar in your recipe box. I can’t exactly claim this one to be from my family archives but I can say that it is a current family favorite. Easy to put together and a fast fix after work. Of course crackers are always good with soup but we like to switch things up a bit and substitute tortilla chips or corn chips. Some of the more adventurous even add grated cheese and sour cream. Whatever floats your boat….or fills up your soup bowl!

Taco Soup

Ingredients:

2 lb. ground beef

1 envelope taco seasoning * 

1 ½ cups water (I add a bit more ‘cause I like lots of broth!)

1 15 oz can mild chili beans

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can pinto beans

1 can stewed tomatoes

1 can Rotel (I use the mild, but use original if you like your stuff spicier)

1 envelope Ranch salad dressing

Brown ground beef and drain off excess grease. Put beef and remaining ingredients in a large dutch oven, stir to mix well and bring to boil at medium high. Reduce heat to simmer and allow to simmer for 30-45 minutes.

*I recently found a recipe for homemade seasoning. I'll post it in a day or so once I track down the source so I can give proper credit!

Hmmm….no blast from the past memories with this one. (Guess we are making tomorrow’s memories.) Who knows, perhaps one of my grandchildren will one day share their memories about our family times triggered by a steaming bowl of Taco Soup!

Hugs and Happy cooking,

Molly

Tasty Tuesday - Tropical Pork Chops

I am sitting here in my home office with the windows open and ceiling fan at full speed. I must tell you I LOVE summer! I realize I have a few more weeks before summer officially arrives, but this brief time of 90 degree weather warms me down to my toes! I feel the urge to put away those stick to your ribs kind of meals that require using my oven to prepare. I am ready for our grill to be in nearly full time use and my mouth is already watering just thinking about fresh sweet corn and home grown tomatoes. (Hey a gal can dream can’t she?!)

In honor of this hint of summer, this week’s recipe is a quick and tasty way to spice up pork chops. Served with a simple tossed salad on the side, you’ll have supper on the table in less than 30 minutes. Now doesn’t that put a smile on your face?!

Tropical Pork Chops


Ingredients:

6 pork chops
1 cup orange juice
1 ¼ cups Minute© rice
1 can condensed chicken & rice soup

In a large skillet, brown chops in a small amount of cooking oil. Remove chops and sprinkle rice in the same pan. Pour orange juice over the rice, then place chops on top. Pour soup over chops and rice, being sure you cover all the surface. Cover and simmer until the rice has absorbed all the liquid and the chops are tender.


Happy cooking,
Molly

A Quick & Tasty Supper

I am blessed to have a husband who enjoys cooking. He learned a lot from his mom who, I am sure, was more than happy to share her kitchen with him! Since both of us have worked full time jobs since before we married, it was critical for the health and well-being of our sons to have a Dad who could put a healthy and yummy supper on the table. I have been the recipient of some of that good cooking the past few days. From baby back ribs on Sunday, to white beans and cornbread last night and fried catfish tonight....well, let's just say I am one spoiled chick! (I was a partner on 2 of those meals, by the way. We also enjoy cooking together. BIG SMILE)

It is not a usual week to have big meals two nights in a row. There are many more nights when we both come home too tired to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Being empty nesters, it can be way to easy to zip through the drive through to pick up quick and UNhealthy food. Not good for our waistlines or our hearts. So I love coming up with quick and nutritious meals that we can put on the table quickly.

This week's Tasty Tuesday recipe is one of those. We both love brats or smoked sausages with sauteed onions & peppers. The usual method of serving said meal was piled on a bun. At the end of a particularly tiring day, I was faced with a shrinking pantry and two very hungry people. In my fridge was a package of turkey smoked sausage and some bell peppers. No buns but I did have brown rice and whole grain pasta in the pantry. And so this recipe was 'born'. It was a huge success (meaning BOTH Larry and I like it!) and has become a favorite go-to when time is limited.

Try it out and let me know what you think. (And if you have any tried and true quick & easy recipes that you don't mind sharing....leave a comment below.)

SMOKED SAUSAGE WITH PEPPERS & ONIONS


1 lb smoked turkey sausage (I use Eckrich brand)
1 each green, red, yellow and orange bell peppers
1 large sweet onion]
Tony Chachere’s Spice & Herb Blend
Spaghetti or Rice

Cut peppers and onion into thin strips and place in a lightly oiled 12” skillet. Cover and begin cooking over medium low heat. Add ½ cup water which will help to steam the vegetables.
Slice sausage in round pieces (like coins) and brown in medium hot skillet.

Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles or rice. Top with Tony Chachere’s seasoning to taste. This particular blend gives you a good spicy taste with less heat and salt than their regular Cajun Spice. When I cook this, I usually fix both spaghetti noodles and rice since I prefer spaghetti while Larry likes rice.


Hugs, (and happy cooking)
Molly