SALSA

Ingredients:

3 large ripe tomatoes, diced, or 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juice
1 small onion finely chopped (yellow or white)
1 small green bell pepper, seeds and veins removed, minced
1/2 cup chopped green chilies, with juice
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt

Directions:

In a large glass bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir well with a spoon. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until serving time.

Servings: 4-6 servings
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time:
Difficulty: Easy

CHILI

Ingredients:

shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped green onions, for garnish
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
ground cumin
1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes
2 cup chopped celery
chili powder
1 package chili seasoning mix
1 small can tomato paste
1 can chili beans
2 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 green bell pepper diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 lb mixed ground beef and sausage, browned and drained

Directions:

Brown ground beef in skillet and drain. Spray large pot with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, green pepper, and celery and saute briefly. Stir in the diced and whole tomatoes. Add cumin and chili powder, to taste, and cook for about 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add the beans, browned meat, and chili seasoning. Partially cover, and let simmer for 4 hours.

Serve with Cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions.

Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 4 hours 20 min
Difficulty: Easy

TACO SOUP

Ingredients:

Jalapenos
Chopped green onions
Grated cheese
Sour cream
Corn chips
1 1-ounce package ranch salad dressing mix
1 1 1/4-ounce package taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup green olives, sliced (optional)
1 small can black olives, drained and sliced (optional)
2 4 1/2-ounce cans diced green chilies
1 14 1/2-ounce can tomatoes with chilies
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 14 1/2-ounce can mexican tomatoes
1 15 1/4-ounce can whole kernal corn, drained
1 15 1/2-ounce cans pink kidney beans
2 15-1/2 ounce cans pinto beans
2 cup diced onions
2 lb ground beef

Directions:

Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large crockpot or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, green onions, tomatoes, chilies, olives, and seasonings, and cook on low setting all day (6 to 8 hours) if using a crockpot, or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a stockpot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese, and jalapenos.

Servings: 12 to 16 servings
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 8 hours crock pot, 1 hour stock pot method
Difficulty: Easy