Taco Soup

Here is another super easy and delicious recipe!

This is from my cousin in law Nadene Minyard. It's totally not very healthy, but that's probably why it's sooo good! This is great for when you have friend over or just a very relaxed dinner. It can also be your back up dinner if you are good about stocking your pantry with these can goods.

1lb of ground beef
1 pack of taco seasoning
1 pack of dry ranch seasoning
1 can of corn
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of black beans
1 can of chopped tomatoes
half an onion
1 can chicken broth

Toppings:
tostido chips
shredded cheese
sour cream

1. Brown beef and cook with chopped onion. (you can replace the onion with onion powder if your kids don't like the "bits" in the meat)
2. Drain corn and beans
3.Put chicken broth, beef and onions, taco seasoning, ranch dressing, corn and beans, tomatoes into a soup pot. Boil until hot and yummy.
4. Serve with toppings. This soup freezes well and leftovers taste better than the first batch.

Steve LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS this! He is a big time meat eater, so this is what he has for dinner, and takes for lunch the next day!

Lime Chicken

Here is the recipe for Lime Chicken. This was given to me by Jaqline Kunz and it's soooo easy and delicious!

6-8 chicken breast
2/3 cup of olive oil
1 cup of brown sugar
6 tbs lemon juice
10 tbs lime juice
4 tsp mustard
8 tsp minced garlic
3 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Cut up chicken into bit size pieces. Put chicken into a 9x13 Pan. Dump all ingredients into the same pan. Mix everything around, put into oven on HIGH BROIL. After 10 min (or a light golden color) take out and flip the chicken over so it cooks evenly on all sides. Cook another 10 min (or until cooked thru) Serve over rice.

It's really easy, and pretty fast! My kids love this with rice and some sprinkled parmesan cheese. You don't even have to cover with foil to put in oven!

Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato Basil Soup

5 strips bacon, diced
1 rib celery, chopped
½ cup chopped onion
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 red pepper, seeded and diced
1 green pepper, seeded and diced
6 FRESH basil leaves, chopped (divided)
2 cloves FRESH garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup half and half

In large soup pot, cook bacon. Drain all but 1 tablespoon drippings. Add the celery, onion and carrot to the bacon and cook 2 minutes. Add peppers, half of the basil and garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add bouillon cubes and stir to dissolve. Transfer soup to blender and puree in batches (only takes 2), then return to soup pot. Add half and half and remaining basil. Simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. Served with toasted garlic or cheesy bread.

Crockpot "Way Too Easy" Tortilla Soup

If you want something quick and easy...here it is!

2 cans chicken broth
5 corn tortillas cut up into strips
handful of cheddar cheese
2 uncooked chicken breasts cut into chunks
1 can of corn (or frozen corn)
1 cup chunky salsa
black beans

Put in crockpot for several hours.The tortillas will break down and thicken the soup.

Top with cheese, tortilla chips (you can cut up more corn tortillas, mix them with EVOO and bake them to have homemade tortilla chips), a little sour cream, etc

Recipes

Anyone else bored with their dinner menus? I am in a dinner rut and am in need of new recipes. I was wondering if anyone would like to share a few of their favorite recipes on the blog? Then we could all benefit from them:) I know my family will thank you too. I will post a few of our favorites also. Thanks girls!

Just Like Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

Add this to Ann-Marie's post below and you have yourself a Mexican fiesta people.

2 pounds pork (we use boneless pork rib meat)
3 cans Coke (NOT diet)
1/4 c. brown sugar
dash garlic salt
1/4 c. water
1 can sliced green chilies
3/4 can enchilada sauce (I use Old El Paso brand, medium spiciness but any will work)
1 c. brown sugar

Put the pork in a heavy duty ziploc bag to marinade. Add about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 c. of brown sugar. Marinade for a few hours or overnight.

Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don't let it get TOO dry) or on low for 8 hours. Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot. Shred pork.

In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste..). If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little.

Put shredded pork and sauce in crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours. That's it!

We've made this a couple of times and it's delicious. I got this recipe and other Cafe Rio ones from here.

The best Cafe Rio...next to the real thing

Disclaimer: This is not my recipe, it is Jan's. However I beat her to posting it! It is fabulous and feeds a ton of people. (or the same people over and over again! :))

Café Rio Dressing
1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet
1 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. milk
2 tomatillos (tomato like vegetable with a husk around them)
½ bunch of cilantro-stems included
1 clove garlic
Juice of 1 lime
1 pepper (jalapeño or poblano, or serano.)
Use a food processor to blend all the ingredients well. Refrigerate.

Cafe Rio Rice
4 c water
4 t chicken bouillon
4 t garlic –minced
½ bunch cilantro
1 can green chiles—or equivalent fresh
¾ t salt
1 T butter
½ onion
2 c rice
Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.

Cafe Rio Chicken-a couple of pounds of chicken (breasts, tenders, whatever)
1 can of Coca Cola
1 c. brown sugar
3 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp. cumin
Put it all in the Crockpot together and let it go for 6 hours or so. Then shred it with a fork and let it sit in the juice another hour.

Serve with FRESH tortillas, lettuce, guac., tomatoes, tortilla strips, or anything else yummy and delicious!

Food

Anyone have any good Superbowl food ideas? What do you like to munch on at potlike type thinks???