Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Taco Soup

Just a quick post, and I promise a longer one will be along soon!  I made this recipe when Kyle and I hosted LIFE group this week.  It's easy- just dump a few cans in a pan or crockpot and let it simmer.


Taco Soup
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
2 c. diced white onion
1 (15.5 oz) can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15.5 oz) can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15.5 oz) can of white sweet shoepeg corn, drained
2 (15.5 oz) cans of diced tomatoes
1 (15.5 oz) can of tomato sauce
1 (4.5 oz) can of green chiles
1 package of taco seasoning
1 package of ranch seasoning

Put all ingredients in a crockpot on low for 6-8 hours, or simmer on stovetop for about an hour.  Serve with warm tortillas, tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, salsa, hot sauce, or your favorite taco toppings!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Shepard's Pie

Kyle and I have found a new favorite recipe! We love to eat shepard's pie at Nine Irish Brothers, a local Irish pub.  We were thrilled when we found a 30 minute Rachel Ray recipe for it online!  It's a great winter meal, but Rachel stretched the truth a little when she said 30 minutes of prep; it's more like 45 minutes start to finish.

Shepard's Pie
2 lbs. potatoes
2 Tbs. sour cream
1/2 c. whipping cream
1 & 3/4 lb. ground lamb (you can use beef, too)
1 onion, chopped
1/2 bag frozen peas and carrots
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. flour
1 c. beef broth
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Boil potatoes in salted water. Drain and mash with sour cream and whipping cream.  Add salt to taste.

Brown ground lamb in a skillet for several minutes.  When it's nearly done, drain about half the grease out.  Add the vegetables to the skillet and brown for 5 more minutes.  In a small skillet, melt the butter.  Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes.  Slowly add the broth and Worcestershire to the flour mixture and thicken for one more minute.  Pour gravy mixture into the meat and simmer for a few minutes to heat thoroughly.

Put the meat into the bottom of a casserole dish and the potatoes on top.  Put the dish under the broiler until the top is golden brown (about 5 minutes).  Serves 6-8.  Enjoy!