Taco Soup

This recipe comes from the McCombs' Family. It's a new favorite in our house!

Combine:
1-32 oz can kidney beans
1 can whole kernal corn
1-32 oz can tomatoes
1 can tomato soup
1 can vegetable soup
5 or 6 garlic cloves, crushed

Then add:
1/4 cup salsa
1 3/4 cups water
1 package taco seasoning
1 T. chili powder

Brown 1 pound of ground beef with 1 onion. Drain off grease. Add all ingredients to crockpot. Stir together and cook on low until hot. Serve over corn chips and top with shredded cheese and sour cream.

Beef Taquitos

1 T. vegetable oil, plus more for brushing on the taquitos
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup lean ground beef
1/2 cup salsa, plus more for dipping
2 t. chili powder
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
10 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 cup Monterrey jack or cheddar cheese
sour cream

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, stirring often. Add the beef and break apart. Cook until no longer pink. Stir in the salsa, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cook the mixture over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Place the tortillas on a plate and cover with wet paper towels. Microwave until warm and pliable, about 45 seconds. Top each tortilla with 1/4 cup meat mixture, spreading it to and inch of the edges. Sprinkle evenly with cheese.

3. Roll up the tortillas and place on a foil lined baking sheet seam side down. Brush the tortillas lightly with oil, then bake until the filling is heated through and the tortillas are lightly brown-about 8 to 12 minutes. Serve them hot with sour cream and salsa.

This recipe got two thumbs up from everyone in my family and it is quick and easy. Next time I will add some chopped olives to some of the taquitos. I think this recipe would work well with shredded chicken or pork too.

courtesy of FamilyFun.com

Pizza Bread

1 recipe basic white bread
pepperoni
cooked italian sausage
shedded mozzarella cheese

1. Make basic white bread according to directions.
2. After 1st rise, divide the dough in half.
3. Roll each half into a rectangle. Sprinkle with pepperoni or sausage and cover with cheese.
4. Roll tightly from long side, pinching seam together and tucking ends in.
5. Brush with egg wash and cut slits in top.
6. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Basic White Bread

1/2 cup low-fat milk
3 T. sugar
2 t. salt
3 T. butter or margarine
2 packages active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
5-6 cups all-purpose flour

1. Place milk, sugar, salt, and butter in small saucepan. Heat over low heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Cool to lukewarm.

2. Dissolve yeast in warm water in mixer bowl. Add lukewarm milk mixture and 4 1/2 cups flour. Attach bowl and dough hook to mixer. Turn to Speed 2 and mix about 1 minute.

3. Continuing on Speed 2, add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix about 2 minutes, or until dough clings to hook and cleans sides of bowl. Knead on Speed 2 about 2 minutes longer, or until dough is smooth and elastic. Dough will be slightly sticky to the touch.

4. Place dough in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover. Let rise in warm place, free from draft, about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.

5. Punch dough down and divide in half. Shape each half into a lof and place in loaf pans. Cover. Let rise in warm place about 1 hour.

6. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans immedietly and cool on wire racks.

*From KitchenAid instruction book

Cucumbers in Sour Cream

2 medium cucumbers, sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sour cream
1 T. sugar
1 T. balsamic vinegar
1/2 t. salt

Combine cucumbers and onion. Stir remaining ingredients. Toss with vegetables. Cover and chill. Stir occasionally.

This is also good with tomatoes added in.

Slow Cooker Barbecued Pork

2-3 pound boneless pork roast, cubed
2 onion, chopped
12-oz. bottle barbecue sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray's)
1/4 cup honey
Sandwich rolls (Johanna's rolls are good with this)

1. Place meat in slow cooker. Add onions, barbecue sauce, and honey.
2. Cover. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Use 2 forks to shred meat.
4. Serve on rolls with sauce.

Baked Potato Soup

4 large baked potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
6 cups milk
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
12 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream.

1. Cut potatoes in half. Scoop out pulp and put in small bowl.
2. Melt butter in large pot. Add flour. Gradually stir in milk. Continue to stir until smooth, thickened, and bubbly.
3. Stir in potato pulp, salt, pepper and three-quarters of the onions, bacon, and cheese. Cook until heated. Stir in sour cream.
4. Top with remaining bacon and cheese.

This can be made ahead and put in slow cooker set on low until ready to eat.