Fifty mile an hour winds.
Wind chills in the minus zero zone.
And I wake up to this.
Is there a car under there?
Digging our way OUT of the house
Snow Drifts over Four Feet High
Oh, Look - there were two cars under there!
The kidadult and I spent hours digging out and when we were about halfway through the driveway the cavalry arrived in the form of two neighbors with snow blowers. YEAH the cavalry.
It gave me a warm feeling to know that there are people who were thinking of us and came to help. TBHITW was smiling down at his neighborhood buddies.
On a day like this, with a snow emergency in effect, and nowhere to go and all day to get there, I put on a big pot of something good. Something warm. Something that I can share with the cavalry.
Taco Stoup*: serves a crowd and then some
1 pound ground beef or turkey (I use lean ground turkey)
1 green pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
1 can (15 ounces) petite diced tomatoes
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 tablespoon (or more, to taste) chili powder or cayenne pepper
1 can or small frozen package corn
1 can each: pinto, kidney, navy AND black beans (or your choice)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro (optional)
shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
sour cream or greek style yogurt (optional)
Place 2 tablespoons oil in bottom of large stock pot. Add green pepper and onion. Saute until just soft - about 5 minutes. Add ground meat and cook until done.
Add tomatoes (do not drain)
Add envelope taco seasoning
Add beans (do not drain)
Add corn (if using canned, do not drain)
Add chili or spice to taste
Let simmer for 15 minutes to meld flavors and heat beans. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Serve piping hot as is or top with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
A Cook's Notes: This is my go-to recipe for ski weekends, snow days, and Sunday afternoon football games. Serve with warm corn bread or tortilla chips. The recipe makes a great big pot so plan on freezing some. It defrosts and rewarms beautifully!
What is your cold weather go-to recipe?
*I first posted this recipe in November, 2009. Search Taco Stoup to see pictures of the finished product.
My husband loves taco soup, and I've been craving homemade soup, so I'm putting ingredients on the shopping list asap. You really got snowed in, didn't you! Glad your neighbors helped out. Stay warm and cozy!
ReplyDeleteGeesh, that is some snow! You could loose a kid if they made a snow angel.
ReplyDeleteMy step dad makes your taco stoup recipes... I am always happy to eat a bowl. Sounds like great football food.
Happy shoveling! I love being snowed in... For the first couple days.
That was a lot of snow compared to the 9 inches I got in NC. I have pictures on my blog. Glad you had help clearing it away. For me it has to "Cheesy Chicken Soup" which is rich, thick and flavorful. Let me know if you want it and I will give you the recipe. Keep safe and warm.
ReplyDeleteOdie
That looks so much like our Montreal weather! However, we only have a bit of snow, so far.....
ReplyDeleteHard to get around, isn't it?
I hope your cavalry enjoyed the soup. Yum!
yum im going to make this today, it will be great for lunch, thanks!
ReplyDeletewe have a cyclone rain depression here, cant go anywhere most roads are cut, i would rather have snow as you can play in it, rain blah!
A tummy warming soup on a blizzardy day. Yum.
ReplyDeleteThose of us in far above zero land salute you.
And here I was crying over the 3 inches we recently got. I wouldn't mind so much, but it seems that winter always wins. I don't like to lose.
ReplyDeleteOmg, that's a healthy snowfall! Lucky for you that your neighbors came to the rescue. This Taco Soup looks fab! Thanks for the great recipe!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for my taco soup recipe and can't find it. It strangely had ranch dressing mix in it, but yours will be my new one to try.
ReplyDeleteI bet your neighbors felt like the lucky ones when they tucked into that soup! Hope you are beginning to thaw out and that 2011 smiles down upon you, dear lady.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful! I will defintely be trying it!
ReplyDeleteI am glad they got you out, because me? I'd have just cried. Or taken a hair dryer. Certainly not have cooked though!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!! Wow!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the soup recipe - maybe tomorrow night.
I keep getting a failed delivery response to my emails to you... for some reason they won't go through. ?
ReplyDeleteThat is one incredible snow storm! I hope you've had a good start to 2011, and all the best for the year to come.
ReplyDeleteI have only been in two blizzards like yours. I absolutely loved it. Maybe because I have only been in two.
ReplyDeleteLove the soup recipe. Made something similar the other night. Will definately be trying this one next.