Slow-Cooker Taco Soup

I made this the other night and loved it... I found it on the Year of CrockPotting blog. You could make it on the stove top, or in your crockpot, or if you have an awesome Presto magic cooker like I do, you can do both. I added an onion, used black beans instead of kidney beans, and I actually used dried beans and soaked them the night before, but whatever. Cans would work.

The Ingredients:
1 lb lean hamburger. Or turkey. Or chicken? Or no meat at all.
1 onion
2 cans black beans
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans corn
1 large can of diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes with chiles (aka Rotel)
1 packet taco seasoning (or seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder...)
1 packet ranch dressing mix (yes. I know this sounds weird. Trust me.)

Brown and drain the meat. Put everything in the slow cooker and stir it. Then cook on low for 8 hours or so or cook it on high for 4-5 hours. Add a little water if it looks too thick, and serve with sour cream and crunched tortilla chips.

Pie Crust

Easy, and delicious.  I get this crust recipe from my Mater.  This is also the one I used for the Chicken Pot Pie.  It can be frozen for about 6-8 months and thaw in the microwave or let sit to reuse.

Okay, So I lied.  I think I used this a tart crust. mostly the same but sweeter so it is kinda nice here goes.

Tart Crust

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

1/4 tsp salt

9 Tbl Frozen unsalted butter - 1cm cube chunks

1 large egg yolk

Put flour, sugar, and salt in food processor.  Add butter and pulse until the butter is coarsely cut in.  Add egg yolk and pulse several times from 10 sec. each.  Dough should begin to clump. 

** Note - if you use the tart crust for the chicken pot pie, you will actually want to melt the butter, instead of keeping it frozen.  Frozen makes it crumbly.

Pie crust 

3 cups flour 

1 tsp salt 

1.5 cup crisco 

Mix together   

1 egg slitghly beaten 

1 tbs vinegar 

9 tbs water 

Mix together   

Mix together both mixtures and roll out    Makes 3 shells.

Sorry, I never make things easy on anyone.  The pie crust is super easy though and I think it ends up about the same as those that take considerably longer.

Chicken Pot Pie

I just made this one tonight, actually about 1 hour ago.   We really enjoyed it.

Sorry, this is not all that easy, from start to finish it will probably take about 2 hours.  It is worth it though.

Crust:

You can use a store bought uncooked crust or make your own.  I recommend making it but to save some time, store bought is fine.

What you need:

1 and 1/2 cup Broccoli chopped

1 cup chopped carrots.  

1 and 1/2 cup chicken broth or bullion

1 cup cheddar cheese cubed (about one cm)

1 small onion, finely chopped.  (I recommend a yellow onion as they are semi sweet)

1 Tbl Olive Oil

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup cooking wine (optional)

1 and 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sour cream

1 1/2 tbl pepper

2 bay leaves

2 tsp garlic powder

2-3 cups cubed chicken breast

Preparation:

saute' the onions in olive oil. If you're using the wine, add it now, it will sweeten and bring out a wonder flavor in the onions.  

If you are using fresh carrots and broccoli, boil them with the chicken broth, keep the pot coved so that they steam.  Just cook them until they are the crispness you prefer.  If they are frozen, just make sure they are room temp.  

After the onions are transparent, add the chicken and cook the two together until the chicken is ready.  

Meanwhile prepare your crust.  Bake it about halfway, usually around 10 minutes.

Allow the crust to cool slightly

Mix flour, sour cream and milk together until smooth, make sure to remove all lumps.  Then slowly add in the chicken broth.  When mixture is almost to a boil add cubed cheese.  I recommend using a whisk to make sure the cheese is well mixed in.  (If the mild is too hot the cheese will seperate and the whole thing will go south fast)  Bring mixture to a light boil, stirring constantly.  Add pepper, salt, bay leaves and garlic.  Boil until slightly thickened.   remove from heat.

Mix vegetables, and meat together and place in crust.  Pour milk-mixture over-top until crust is full.  Place top crust oven the pie and bake (at 375 or whatever your crust recommends) for 30 minutes or until brown.  

Serve and enjoy.