Taco Soup (slow cooker)

For those crazy get-everyone-to-their-activity days.

1 pound ground beef/turkey, cooked with onion
2 cans black beans, with liquid
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, with liquid
1 can chicken broth
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, pureed (my kids don't like tomato chunks)
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

In a medium skillet, cook the ground beef/turkey/onions until browned over medium heat. Drain. Put everything in a slow cooker. Mix to blend, and cook on Low setting for 8 hours. Serve with chips for happy kids. Cheese and sour cream would be good too.

Chili the Way My Family Likes It

ground beef/turkey and diced onions, browned and drained
1 can diced tomatoes*
1 can stewed tomatoes*
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 to 1 TB chili powder (don't add all at once, especially if your tomatoes have any chilies in them; add to taste)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
garlic powder to taste

*The trick for my family is to puree the tomatoes in a blender before you add them in (our kids don't like tomato chunks). Then you may want to add water to the pot depending on how thick you like the chili and how much water boils off as it simmers. If you don't puree the tomatoes, you better add some water (and a small can of tomato sauce if desired).

Simmer on stovetop or put all ingredients in crock pot. Serve with chips and cheddar cheese.

(My family ate all of this quickly. I think I might need to 1 1/2 or double this next time for the 8 of us.)

Here's the best cornbread




Usually for our family: (Update: Hans thinks this is too much for our family now--back to the 2 cans of each rather than 3)
ground beef/turkey and diced onions, browned and drained
3 cans beans, rinsed and drained (usually black and kidney beans)
3 cans tomatoes, pureed (remember, stewed tomatoes have sugar in them and tomatoes with chilies are hot!)
1 TB salt
1/2 TB pepper
garlic powder
2 tsp chili powder (assuming you don't use tomatoes with heat in them already. If using tomatoes with chilies, taste before adding any chili powder)
Simmer in crockpot. Serve with chips.

Tortellini and Italian Sausage Soup

1 lb. Italian sausage

2 cloves garlic

1 cup water (may need to add more later)

1 cup thinly sliced carrots

1 tsp. oregano

1 ½ cup sliced zucchini

1 cup coarsely chopped onions
5 or more cups beef broth

1 can cut-up tomatoes

8 oz. can tomato sauce

12 oz. cheese tortellini 

Grated parmesan cheese

Brown sausage in large pot with onions and garlic.  Drain grease. Add beef broth, water, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, and tomato sauce.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer uncovered at least 30 minutes.  Skim fat.  Stir in zucchini and tortellini, simmer covered 30-40 min.  Sprinkle parmesan cheese on each serving.