Taco Soup

Taco Soup with Pork and Beans
(adapted from a recipe in the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook)

1 lb. ground beef
half a small onion, finely diced
1 envelope dry taco seasoning
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. red cayenne pepper
15-oz. can kidney beans, undrained
15-oz. can whole kernel corn, undrained
15-oz. can pork and beans
15-oz. can diced tomatoes
taco chips
shredded cheese
sour cream
sliced jalepenos (optional)

Brown beef in skillet. Drain. Place in slow cooker. Stir in onion, taco seasoning, brown sugar, and pepper. Add beans, corn, pork and beans, and tomatoes. Mix well. Cover. Cook on Low 4-6 hours. Garnish individual servings with taco chips, cheese, dollop of sour cream, and a slice or two of jalepenos, if desired.

Karla's Note: We had this Tuesday night. Lyle rated it a 4. I have made a very similar taco soup on the stove top for years. Just thought I would try this one to see how it turned out in the crockpot and see if I could improve on my original recipe. I didn't think it needed the brown sugar. I won't add that if I make it again.

Quick and Easy Nacho Dip

Quick and Easy Nacho Dip

(adapted from a recipe in Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook)

1 lb. ground beef

taco seasoning to taste

onion powder to taste

garlic powder to taste

4 cups salsa

15-oz. can refried beans

1 1/2 cups sour cream

3 cups shredded "taco" cheese, divided

tortilla chips

Brown ground beef. Drain. Add taco seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Combine beef, salsa, beans, sour cream and 2 cups cheese in slow cooker.

Cover. Heat on Low 2 hours. Just before serving sprinkle with 1 cup cheese.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Note from Karla: I have been trying out Crockpot recipes from the Fix-It and Forget-It cookbook this week. I find it almost impossible to follow a recipe to the letter, so I am posting them here with my adaptations.

My idea is to have crockpot meals for supper on week-nights. I just stocked up on a variety of "cheap" meats (hamburger, sausage, chicken, roast, etc.) and different canned and frozen vegetables to have on hand to try a variety of the recipes in this book. I'll try to remember to take pictures and post my adaptation of each one I try along with my family's opinion.

We had this Wednesday night this week. Lyle said it was "Pretty good!" (A high compliment from him is "Not bad!" so this is a step up from that!) He gave it a 4 on a scale from 1 to 5... with the definition of 4 being "Good. Fix it regularly, a couple of times a month."