Recipe: Taco Soup

Recipe: Taco Soup

Several months ago, at a MOPS meeting, we discussed recipes at a small group table. There were lots of dinner suggestions tossed around, such as potato soup (which I make and love) and taco soup. That was not a soup I made, so I tucked the note away until I had time to find a recipe. About this time of winter, I get tired of the same casserole and soup recipes that I've been making for two months, and want to try something new. (I may look into other suggestions from that same meeting soon too!)

I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com here. I liked it because it is basic and easy. Quick + easy= winner for me!! This recipe is similar to the chicken chili recipe that I make, but different enough to be a new blend of flavors. Our family loved it! (Well, 5/6 of us, but my son doesn't like 3/4 of what I make, so we can't hardly count him in that mix.)


Quick and Easy Taco Soup
Recipe makes 8 servings

Ingredients

1 (14 ounce) can vegetable broth (such as Swanson®)

2 (15.25 ounce) cans Mexican-style corn with red and green peppers

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (10 ounce) container chunky salsa

1 (8 ounce) package tortilla chips

1 (8 ounce) package shredded Mexican cheese blend


Directions

Combine vegetable broth, corn, black beans, and salsa in a pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Crush tortilla chips into individual bowls and top with Mexican cheese. Ladle soup over chips and cheese.

It will definitely be one that I will make again! I used regular frozen corn and cheddar cheese as a substitute (since that's what I had) and it was just scrumptious!

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your review! (Even though it's not an original recipe!)

Proverbs 15:17
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

Daniel 1:12, 16
“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.
... So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

Romans 14:2
One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

Preparing for Caroline

I am beginning to teach another class of Caroline, the American Girl soon. I've not taught Caroline, while I have taught most of the other historical characters. (See my tab above for links to those classes.) I read the Caroline books over the summer, and wrote notes and ideas. Then I looked online and did a little research. I came up with enough ideas for six weeks of classes, and I know the girls are SO excited!

Here is what my plan is (which is not set in stone):

Caroline Study outline (6 weeks)

Caroline Abbott, from Sackets Harbor, New York (1812)

1/21/14  Book 1: Meet Caroline--*PLEASE READ BEFORE FIRST CLASS!

Craft: Ship-building w/ popsicle sticks; play with tops

Geography pages— New York/ Ontario, U.S./ Canada

Snack: Warm biscuits and honey, ginger tea

1/28/14 Book 2: Caroline's Secret Message

Craft: Knot-making, handkerchief doll’s bonnet

Snack: Ginger cakes, spiced cider

2/4/14  Book 3: A Surprise for Caroline

Craft: Handkerchief dolls, hoop races, discuss ice skating

Snack: Boiled cornmeal with maple syrup

2/11/14  Book 4: Caroline Takes a Chance

Craft: Paper dolls, penmanship practice

Snack: Mini-cinnamon roll, peppermint tea

2/18/14  Book 5: Caroline's Battle

Craft: Needlework card, discuss U.S. Flag (craft?)

Snack: Burnt Sugar Cake

2/25/14  Book 6: Changes for Caroline

Craft: Cinch bag, discuss Independence Day

Snack: Wild strawberries in cream

*This outline may change without notice... If I can’t find the craft supplies I need or the snack recipes. My main intention with the crafts (and snacks) are to heighten the girls interest in learning about different periods of history. Hopefully the above collection of crafts will do just that!

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Ezekiel 27:24

In your marketplace they traded with you beautiful garments, blue fabric, embroidered work and multicolored rugs with cords twisted and tightly knotted.

1 Kings 9:26

King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea.

Proverbs 31:14

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

1 Timothy 1:18-19

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 

Christmas highlights 2013

We had a wonderful Christmas! 

We began by attending our church's Christmas Eve service which always ends with candles lit during "Silent Night." It is overwhelming for me, so much beauty and joy-- my favorite service. I like Easter a lot too, but there is such a sweet focus on God, Jesus and His birth, it is just a precious few moments. 

 Opening gifts at home:

 Mallory in her new jammies, opened a gift from Bethany... (Mal woke up sick that morning...)

 Caleb's "big" gift/ surprise-- a wooden bat for our baseball loving boy!

 A nice wool coat and scarf for our big beautiful girl!

Then we went to my Mom's house and spent most of the day there...

 Mallory got a scarf making set from Grandma!

 Bethany in her new vest getting "examined" by her cousin with his new Dr. kit!

Rebekah opened a new sweater from Grandma!

Joshua and my brother-in-law got matching shirts! We joked that Joshua should shave his head and they should go to the mall, being "twins" just like teenage girls do! :-D

Mallory having recovered from her stomach virus, happily held her baby cousin!

We loved holding my sweet niece and catching her grins... these are just a few!

Cousins waiting to eat dinner...

My sister and her family had to leave too soon! I loved holding my precious niece and putting her to sleep before they left. The time went too fast!

Matthew 1:21

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

John 20:31

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 3:16

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 11:13

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”