Taco Soup

The picture didn't turn out so great, but the soup was great. This soup is REALLY easy. If you can chop and onion and open a few cans, then you can make this soup.

Taco Soup:
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 large cans tomato sauce
1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn
1 (15 oz) can stewed tomatoes
1 package taco seasoning
1 handful of cilantro (optional)
1 lime (optional)
5-6 Jalapeno pepper rings, diced (optional)

Directions:
1. In your soup pot, brown ground beef green pepper and onions.
2. Add tomato sauce, corn, tomatoes, and taco seasoning.
3. Cook over medium heat until the soup is warmed.
4. Add Jalapenos, cilantro and squeeze in lime juice.
5. Top each bowl with cheddar cheese, sour cream or sliced green onions. Serve with Fritos or tortilla chips.

Tostadas

A few years ago, we found a recipe for tostadas. I'm not sure how traditional this recipe is, but we love it regardless. It's very simple. The hardest part is frying the tortillas. I usually leave this job for Jason. We've tried toasting the tortillas in the oven, but they just aren't nearly as good as they are when you fry them until golden brown, which only takes about 30 seconds.

When the tortillas are fried, they puff up and become crispy and golden brown. Fry up about two tortillas per person. We use the small size. Let them dry on a paper towl and cool for a minute before you start adding your toppings.

We make a simple bean dip and use as the base of our tostadas. The bean dip is really good on it's own, all you need is salsa, refried beans, and a little shredded cheddar cheese. The recipe is down below. Once you've added your toppings, throw the tostadas under the broiler just long enough for the cheese to melt. This dinner is really quick and easy and you'll love how good these are!!!

Tostadas:

1 package small tortillas

1 package shredded cheddar cheese

1 can refried beans

1 jar salsa

The other toppings are up to you......we used the following:

1 tomato, diced

Shredded lettuce

Sour Cream
Guacamole

Directions:
1. Heat about 2 cups of oil in a frying pan.

2. Add tortillas one at a time and fry until golden brown then flip and fry the other side.

3. Place tortillas on paper towels to drain.

4. For the bean dip, mix salsa, refried beans, and a handful of shredded cheddar cheese.

5. Place bean dip in the microwave for 1 minute and stir, continue process until hot.

6. Spread bean dip on each tostada.

7. Build other toppings and place under broiler for 2-3 minutes until cheese has melted.

Taco Salad

Tonight was the end of a long weekend and we were both pooped. Taco salad was the only answer. There are a million different ways to do this and the toppings are endless. Here's our version, which is very little salad and lots of meat and cheese.

Taco Salad:

16 oz Velveeta

1 - 4 oz can of diced green chiles

1 can of Rotel

1 package of sausage (we used Jimmy Dean Mild)

1 lb ground beef

1 package taco seasoning

Lettuce

Tortilla Chips

Toppings:
Chopped green onions

Sour cream

Chopped tomatoes

Taco Sauce
Guacamole

Directions:

1. Brown sausage in a pot and crumble

2. Drain grease

3. Chop Velveeta and add to sausage

4. Add Rotel and stir over low heat until all melted

5. In a skillet, brown ground beef

6. Add taco seasoning

7. Assemble salad by layering chips, lettuce, meat, cheese dip, and then toppings.