Taco Soup

We tried a new recipe lately that our family really enjoyed.  Several people have asked us to share the recipe so here it is.  It is for TACO SOUP.  I know...at first it may not sound all that pleasing, but if you love tacos like Gamble and I do, then it is atleast worth a try.  I made a few slight revisions but the original recipee can be seen at Sparkpeople.com.  It is very simple and doesn't take long to throw together. 

Ingredients

1 Lb. lean ground beef

1 1/2 cups yellow onion, chopped

1 packet of seasoning mix OR  3 Tbl chilli powder, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp cumin

4-6 cloves of garlic pressed or minced

3 oz. Goya Sofrito tomato cooking base (Mexican tomato paste)

10 oz. Rotel diced tomatoes with green chillies (hot) -do not drain

16 oz can of kidney beans, dark, drained

1 cup water (adjust to preference)

1 cup frozen corn

1 med. size hot pepper (jalepeno or type of your choice depending on amount of heat preferred)-diced -or- 4 oz canned green chilies

1/2 cup garbanzo beans (from can)-smashed or mushed in food processor

Toppings for garnish (fresh cilantro, cheese, sour cream & chips)

Directions
 Brown ground beef and 1 cup of chopped onion over medium heat in a heavy soup pot, stirring occasionally. Drain mixture and blot away excess grease.  Add spices and garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Add Goya tomato paste and cook additional minute while stirring.  Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans and water.  Simmer for 10 minutes. Add green chilies (reserving some for garnish), mashed garbanzo beans then corn. Simmer additional 10-15 minutes.  More water may be added to thin the soup or add more smashed garbanzo beans to thicken. 

Garnish  with chopped cilantro, jalepeno pepper, remaining 1/2 cup of onion, cheese, sour cream and chips.

Hope you enjoy it!    

Whose running the show?

Welcome to 2010! We hope every one's new year has started off great.
Are you still getting used to writing 2010 on all your paperwork or are you one of those people that will continue to absentmindedly write 2009 for the next 6 months on every check you write? I came across a great article from dollar stretcher.com about setting and achieving goals. (Perhaps the first one should be to remember that it is now 2010...lol).

Do you find yourself sitting around waiting for life to happen to you or are you planning, setting goals and heading towards the things you want to achieve in life? Whether your goals include family, financial, getting organized, traveling or millions of other ideas, a vision board may help you reach them. Need a little help getting started? Check this out: Setting Goals, Goal Setting, Achieving Goals

YO...Mary!

You've heard of the fairy-tale poem, which is directed at Mary & asking her..what's up with your garden chi ca, how's it grow'in??

Well, I'm working on gettin' me one of those-there gardens too...for the fun of it and hopefully to save a little money, instead of purchasing these things from the grocery store all the time.

So far it is actually going well. And I don't say that in a boastful, bragging way...but instead in an OMG, I'm surprised type of way. The green peppers have started flowering (I can't wait), the rosemary is loving it, the basil and lemon thyme are singing also. I have had some problems with the cilantro and parsley. Something keeps digging them up and I find them bare-root naked laying in the pot, where hours before they were planted. I'm not sure if it is a bird, squirrel or cat..but whatever it is had better watch out! I also have some green onion, sweet basil and about 4 other herbs. I am also trying a tomato plant in an upside down planter. It is growing fast, has 1 baby and 5 or 6 flowers on it. But it has some leaves with a powdery film, so I am a little concerned. Inside I have seeded red, green and hot peppers, which didn't cost a cent. We are using recycled containers and seeds saved from previous veggies. (No sign of life yet). Last night we made our first meal with the herbs. I used the lemon thyme and rosemary on some chicken breasts. They turned out great and the house smelled wonderful with the aromas. I have also planted some lavender. Mark my words, one of these days, I will be running care free in a field of lavender.....of course the field may only be 2'x2',...but I will. Wish me luck