Taco Soup

Similar to other recipes, but thicker than them as well, more the consistency of chili.

Ingredients

1lb cooked ground beef
8oz frozen corn, or 1 can
1 can black beans
1 150z can tomatoes
1 can mild green chilies
1 can refried beans (get a flavored kind, like green chili and lime)
3 cups beef broth
1 packet taco mix


Place everything in a crockpot and let the flavors blend!  Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc.

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

Ingredients

1 lb uncooked linguine pasta
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp oil
1/4 cup finely diced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 pinch red pepper flakes
12 to 16 oz peeled, deveined shrimp
12 mushrooms, sliced
1 pinch each of salt and pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp butter
1 to 2 Tbsp oil
4 tsp dried parsley


Directions

Cook noodles, until nearly tender. Drain.  Meanwhile, cook 2 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp oil, onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes 3-4 minutes.  Add shrimp, mushrooms, pinch of salt, and pinch of pepper, and cook a few minutes, until shrimp is pink.  Remove shrimp and mushrooms.  Add broth, lemon juice, butter, oil and parsley.  Bring to a simmer.  Add linguine and shrimp and mushrooms to mixture.  Stir to evenly coat everything.  Season with more salt and pepper if desired.  Serve hot.

Honey Curried Roasted Chicken and Veggies

Ingredients

6-7 medium red potatoes, scrubbed and quartered

1 lb baby carrots

1 whole chicken

12 mushrooms, whole or quartered

1 generous cup honey

2/3 cup Dijon mustard

1/3 cup butter

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

5 tsp curry powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp minced garlic

2-3 apples, diced into thick pieces

1 Tbsp cornstarch

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Cook potatoes and carrots in a bowl in the microwave for 15 minutes, or boil until just starting to soften.

Place the chicken breast side down on a rack in a roasting pan.  Arrange potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms around chicken and roast 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven.

In a saucepan, mix the honey, mustard, butter, onion, curry powder, salt, cayenne pepper, ginger, and garlic. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and set aside.

Arrange the apples around the chicken, with the veggies. Drizzle the chicken and vegetables with the honey mixture. Continue roasting 20 minutes, or until the glaze has browned. The chicken meat should reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees F.  Once cooked, remove the dripping from the pan and heat on the stove.  Mix 1 Tbsp cornstarch with a little water, then add to the drippings.  Cook over medium heat until slightly thickened.  Serve with the chicken and vegetables as a gravy sauce.

Taco Casserole

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1/2 bell pepper, chopped

1/4 to 1/2 cup onion or green onion, chopped

1 can refried beans

2 cups mild salsa

1 package low sodium taco seasoning

4 cups broken tortilla chips, divided

1/4 cup sliced olives (opt)

2 medium tomatoes (opt)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc.

Directions

Heat oven to 350.  Cook beef until thoroughly cooked. Add bell pepper and onion and cook for a couple of minutes.  Drain.  Stir in refried beans, salsa, and taco mix.  Place 2 1/2 cups broken tortilla chips in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Evenly spread the beef mixture on top.  Sprinkle olives,  cheese, and tomatoes on top.  Finish with remaining chips.  Bake uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes.  Top with lettuce, sour cream, extra salsa, guacamole, etc.