Taco Soup

 I brought this soup to a staff luncheon, and it was a big hit. Lots of great flavour, and it teams well with my cornbread recipe. I add jalapenos and corn chips to mine with a dollop of plain yogurt for extra protein that's low-fat.This soup will fill you up and warm the soul. It's so good! Recipe is from The Pioneer Woman. Link is HERE. This recipe serves 6-8

                                              picture credit: Caitlin Bensel

Ingredients

1-1/2 lb ground beef (you can also use ground turkey)

1 yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno, chopped (you can remove the seeds for less heat)

2 (14.5oz) cans fire roasted tomatoes

1 packet taco seasoning

1 (4oz) can green chiles

1 qt. chicken broth

1 (15oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15oz) can of corn, drained

Kosher salt, to taste

Sour cream (or plain yogurt) for serving

Extra add-ins if desired: corn chips, chopped cilantro, grated cheese, pickled jalapeno

Directions

1. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the beef and onion and cook, stirring to break the beef into small pieces, until it is no longer pink and the onion is softened, 6-8 mins. 

2. Stir in the garlic and jalapeno, if using and cook, stirring for two mins. 

3. Stir in the tomatoes, taco seasoning, green chiles, chicken broth, corn, pinto beans, and black beans. Bring to a boil over med-high heat. Reduce the heat to med-low, partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavours meld, about 20 mins. Season with salt to taste. 

4. Serve with desired toppings. 

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Streusel

I stumbled upon this muffin recipe because I did not want a traditional banana muffin. These are now my go-to banana muffins. They are so good with the streusel in the middle and on top. Yum. Everyone who has tried them has loved them as well. You can find the original recipe HERE from Sally's Baking. You should really try them! 

Streusel

• 2 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup (50g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (135g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• optional: 1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts

Muffins

• 1 and 2/3 cups (208g) all-purpose flour (spooned & levelled)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 and 1/2 cups (345g) mashed bananas (about 4 medium or 3 large bananas)
• 1/4 cup (60g) plain yogurt or sour cream (I use nonfat Greek yogurt)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners. Set aside. 

2. Make the streusel: Mix all the streusel ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Make the muffins: Whisk the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

3. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed in a large bowl until creamed, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.  Add the egg and beat until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the mashed bananas and yogurt, and then beat on high speed until combined; mixture will look curdled and that’s ok.

2. Add the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until combined. The batter is thick. Do not overmix.

3. Layer a large spoonful (I use a small cookie scoop) of batter into each muffin cup. Sprinkle with 1 scant Tablespoon of streusel. Layer another large spoonful of batter over each, using up the remaining batter, then finish by sprinkling the remaining streusel on top of each muffin. With a toothpick or knife, gently swirl the streusel topping with the batter.

4. Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F, then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for an additional 15–16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total time these muffins take in the oven is about 20–21 minutes. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, and then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling, or enjoy warm.

**Muffins stay fresh covered at room temperature for a few days, then transfer to the refrigerator for up to 1 week.