Cold Weather Favorite

Today we are experiencing another arctic front that has brought in some bitterly cold temperatures. Although its not bringing the snow I had wished for at least once this winter, I am still enjoying the fire and bringing out one of my favorite cold weather recipes!

I am not a cook. I want to enjoy cooking. I want to be someone who likes to experiment and try new recipes. But, I am just not. I cook 2-3 nights a week but usually easy, staple recipes. This is one of those and it is my favorite thing to eat and make!

I have done it in both the crock pot and in a stock pot on the stove. Good both ways but the flavor after 4 or 5 hours in the crock pot is delicious. It makes a ton (probably feeds 6-8 people) but its also great leftover, so I just cook the full recipe. Give it a try and enjoy the cold! I know we will!

Taco Soup
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
2 cups diced onions
2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans pinto beans
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can pink kidney beans
1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomatoes with chiles
2 (4 1/2-ounce) cans diced green chiles
1 (4.6-ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced, optional
1/2 cup green olives, sliced, optional
1 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (1-ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
Corn chips, for serving
Sour cream, for garnish
Grated cheese, for garnish
Chopped green onions, for garnish
Pickled jalapenos, for garnish

Directions

Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, black olives, green olives, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese, green onions and jalapenos.