Taco Beef Soup

Earlier this week I made the soup and it was really good. It tasted alot like chili which I figured it would. Little Eric wasn't a big fan of it but that is no surprise. The only thing I would change about it is use diced tomatoes instead of stewed tomatoes. I say that because I'm not a fan of tomatoes (although I LOVE spaghetti sauce and ketchup) and I didn't know that stewed tomatoes were big chunks - I can handle diced tomatoes. All in all it was a good and VERY easy soup to make on a cold day.

Taco Beef Soup

Another recipe from "The Essential Mormon Cookbook". I have had a taco soup that my mother-in-law made and it was really good. I can't remember if this has the same stuff but it sounded pretty good.

1 lb ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onion
3 c. water
1 (26 oz) can stewed tomatoes, undrained
2 (16 oz each) cans kidney beans, undrained
1 (16 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (1.5 oz) envelope taco seasoning mix
cheddar cheese, grated
tomatoes, chopped
green onions, chopped
corn chips
sour cream
avocado, chopped

In a large saucepan cook ground beef and onion until meat is browned; drain off excess fat. Add the water, stewed tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning. Simmer, covered, for at least 15 minutes. Pass cheese, tomatoes, green onions, corn chips, sour cream, and avocado for each person to top their individual serving. Makes 6 servings.

Whole Wheat Applesauce Muffins

This also comes from "The Essential Mormon Cookbook". I have never tried it but they sound yummy so i could be trying them in the near future. I'll let you know how they turn out

1 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
1 tbls. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. applesauce
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)
1/4 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 c. packed brown sugar

Sift flours, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Set aside. Cream sugar and shortening. Stir in beated eggs and applesauce. Blend in sifted ingredients. Fold in chopped nuts if desired. Spoon into greased muffin tins or muffin cups. Mix pecans and brown sugar together and sprinkle over batter. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes. Makes 18 muffins.

Apple Crisp

This recipe comes from "The Essential Mormon Cookbook". Eric loves this and we have had many missionaries fall in love with it and asked me to make it every time they came over for dinner. I haven't made it in a while....anyone want to come over so I can make it for you?

3 large apples (they suggest Golden Delicious or Rome Beauty but I prefer Granny Smith apples)
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. butter or margarine
3/4 c. rolled oats
ice cream or whipped cream, if desired

Peel, core, and thinly slice apples. Arrange in buttered 9-inch baking dish. Combine brown sugar and flour. Cut butter into mixture as for pastry. Stir in rolled oats. Spoon topping over apples, pressing down lightly. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Tortellini Soup

This is a recipe that I got from my husbands family. It is so easy and so good!

All you need are these noodle mixes (any flavor)
and any variety of tortellini. (now my in-laws swear by a certain brand of tortellinis that you can only get up in Massachusetts but these or any brand or flavor will have to work)

Follow the instructions on the box of soup and add the tortellinis when you add the soup mix. I might suggest putting alittle more water then what is called for. When I made this last night the water started to boil out (or maybe I put too many tortellinis in) so there wasn't as much broth as I would have liked. My in-laws also add cut up carrots which is really good.

It was yummy!

The pizza burgers that me and Erin made (well she made - I just watched) were SO good and very easy. You could even add mushrooms and anything else you like on a burger or pizza. This is a recipe that I know I will be making alot in the future. Little Eric even loved it so that is a plus!!

Pizza Burgers

This comes from my friend Erin so I haven't tasted it but we are cooking as we speak. I'll let you know.

1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 lb sausage
1 egg
1/4 c. cracker crumbs
1/2 tsp. crushed oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. onion salt

Mix all together and make 16 thin patties. Set aside

In small bowl mix together
1 c. mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
1/2 c. chopped tomato
1/4 c. chopped onion

Spoon cheese mixture over half of the patties. Put the remaining patties on top and seal well (cheese will melt out if not sealed properly)

Cook for about 10 minutes on each side. Eat on hamburger bun with condiments of your choice and enjoy!

I'll let you know how they are later.