Taco Soup

Mexican food of any sort is a big hit at my house.  We love the chips and homemade salsa and just about anything with that taco flavor.  Taco soup is great during the cold days and very easy to make.  It is really not too much different than chili.  Many recipes that I have seen to make taco soup use a packet of taco seasoning and a ranch packet.  Both of these items would never be found in my pantry because they have added salt, MSG and stuff I try to avoid.  Making your own taco seasoning is very easy.  I have not really looked into making my own ranch flavor, but I have noticed that it is basically parsley, onion salt and some other things that I don't think are necessary to make a delicious taco soup.  So my alternative to the ranch packet is adding some parsley and if you wanted to you could add more onion powder.  Notice I never add onion salt or garlic salt, it is always the powder form and then I add my Celtic sea salt.  It is very important to monitor your salt intake.  One of the biggest things my family notices when we eat out is how thirsty we are after eating.  The reason...so much salt.  I guess it is the way that most chefs cook in order to bring out the flavor in things.  My suggestion, add more seasonings and natural flavorings from food instead of more salt.  This is one thing I have had to acquire new taste for because I am salt person.  I now add more spice with cayenne pepper or black pepper or some other spice that is used in a dish.  I still remember there was a time in high school that my grandfather introduced me to adding a little salt to the top of your pizza.  I loved it!  Of course I have learned that salt is one ingredient that we consume way to much.  Sugar is also one of those ingredients.  Check out a label on anything...it probably has added sugar and or salt.  

With all the garnishes- Kids way

Taco Soup

3-4 Tablespoons taco seasoning mix*

1 pound ground beef

1 onion chopped

1 can black beans drained or 1 1/2 cups 

1 can pinto beans drained or 1 1/2 cups

2 Tablespoons parsley

1 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes NOT drained

2-3 cups water

With added avocado- My way

1 can sliced olives

1/2 cup frozen corn

Directions:

Brown ground beef in a skillet then add everything but the olives.  And depending on how you are cooking it, in a crockpot or on the stove, you can add the beans later also so they do not get all mushy.  I have cooked it in the crockpot on high for about 3 - 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.  You could also cook it on the stove for about 

1 - 1 1/12 hours on medium to medium low. 

We usually garnish our soup with sliced avocado, cheese, and a dollop of plain yogurt (makes it creamy).  We also like to dip some corn tortilla chips in our soup. 

*Taco seasoning dry mix

2 tablespoons chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp celtic sea salt

3 tsp cumin

Mix all together and store in air tight container.  Double or even triple this to keep on hand for all your mexican dishes.  I put into a container that has a shaker on top. This recipe is very close to Advocare's cookbook recipe found at www.choosethechallenge.com under Virtual coach.