Barbse-your taco soup was a hit

[pes]

Thanks for posting the crockpot taco soup recipe. I made it on Tuesday, and it was a big hit. I didn't have pinto beans, so I used cannellini beans instead, but it was great!! Thanks again,
Patrice

[valchemist]

oo!! ooo!! me! me!

I agree, pes. This was a very good recipe. And sooo easy! I made it for dinner the day I went into labor. We ate it as I had contractions that evening. I meant to make a post about it, but I have been a little preoccupied. thanks for bringing it up.

I would definitely make this again! The original recipe called for one can of pinto beans, one can of kidney beans, and one can of corn, but I modified (eliminated the corn and doubled the pinto beans).

I wouldn't exactly call it a soup, though. A tiny bit more liquid-y than chili I think. But it is a good change from chili. Similar, but somehow different tasting.

And to top it off, the nutritional info is good! 30% calories from fat and lots of fiber.

Here is the recipe (it was on the slow cooker thread) in case you missed it.


Val



* Exported from MasterCook *

Taco Soup

Recipe By : barbse on bb
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Main Dish Main Dishes
Soups and Stews

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 lb extra lean ground beef -- browned & drained
1 onion -- chopped
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix (regular -- dry)
16 ozs kidney beans -- undrained
30 ozs pinto beans -- undrained
12 ozs rotel diced tomatoes w/ green chiles
30 ozs diced tomatoes -- undrained

Dump all indredients into a large crock pot.
Cook all day on low.
Serve with tortilla chips & top with grated cheese.


Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 420 Calories; 14g Fat (30.2% calories from fat); 26g Protein; 47g Carbohydrate; 11g Dietary Fiber; 52mg Cholesterol; 1560mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 2 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

[sushibones]

I'm curious. Did you all use the Ranch Dressing mix? This recipe sounded really good, but I couldn't figure out the purpose of the dressing mix—thickening? flavor? Seems like you could substitute extra seasonings since the mix is primarily salt, additives, and garlic.

Thanks for any insight. I'm on a mission to find more crockpot recipes.

[valchemist]

Susan,

I did use the Ranch Dressing Mix. Not quite sure why the recipe called for it. I have never bought/used the mix in the past.

But, come to think of it, my DH said that he thought the Taco Soup was a bit on the salty side. I didn't notice that, however.

So I suppose you could substitute other seasonings or leave the packet out... unless it is a thickener or something.

I don't know...has anyone else heard of a slow cooker meal calling for the Ranch Dressing mix?

Val

[sushibones]

Thanks, Val. The mystery continues. I bet you could throw 1-2 corn tortillas in there to thicken it up if you didn't use the mix. Yum.

[pes]

Sorry I/m late getting back on this - we were busy at work and then the board was down!!! - I used the Ranch dressing, and I also use it to make buffalo wings . It definitely adds flavor to the stew (iyou're right, valchemist - t's more like a stew or chili than a stew). I think it's worth adding, but if you'r worried about the saltiness, maybe you could just add half as much???

[Liz K]

I love this soup! My family has been making it for years, but never in the crockpot. For extra kick, you can use the beans with jalapenos added.

[sushibones]

Thanks for the replies about the ranch mix. I'll have to give the soup a try.