Irish Stew

Okay I realized that this recipe isn't going to do you much good now as St. Patrick's Day is over. But there is always next year... I have been making this recipe for a long time now. I first made it for St. Patrick's Day when my oldest son was 1 and he is now 7. I tried to do corned beef and cabbage one year and WAS NOT a fan, so we went back to our traditional Irish Stew. Recipe found in this cookbook.

1 lb lean boneless lamb (I always buy whatever the grocery store has out. Stew pieces, lamb chops...it all cooks into a tender wonderful stew, so don't worry about what it is although you probably do want something lean.)
1 tbs cooking oil
2 1/2 cups peeled turnips cut into 1/2 inch pieces (2 medium)
1 1/2 cups carrots cut into 1/2 inch pieces (3 medium)
1 1/2 cups peeled potatoes cut into 1/2 inch pieces (2 medium)
2 medium onions, cut into wedges
1/4 cup quick cooking tapioca
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dried thyme, crushed
3 cups beef broth

1. Cut lamb into 1 inch pieces. In a large skillet brown lamb, half at a time, in hot oil. Drain off fat. In a 3 1/2 or 4 quart crockery cooker combine turnips, carrots, potatoes, onions, tapioca, salt, pepper and thyme. Stir in browned lamb and beef broth.

2. cover and cook on low heat setting for 10 to 12 hours or on high heat setting for 5 to 6 hours.

Taco Soup

I know this is such a basic recipe, but that is what this blog is all about. I had a roommate when I lived in Washington D.C. that would make this all the time. I forgot the recipe she used and then my sister gave it to my sister-in-law for her wedding. My sister-in-law just gave it to me yesterday. Thanks Stacey, I have missed how good and simple this recipe is!

1 lb of ground beef (I don't use as much, if you like more go ahead!)
grated cheese to taste
2 cans of garbanzo beans, undrained
2 cans of kidney beans, undrained
2 cans of pinto beans, undrained
2 cans of corn, undrained
2 cans of stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 packet of taco seasoning
Fritos corn chips
sour cream

In a stock pot brown beef (I usual saute some onion as well to brown with the beef). Then add cans of pinto beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, corn and stewed tomatoes. Add packet of taco seasoning. I let this simmer for about 15-30 minutes to combine the flavors. Serve with sour cream, cheese and Fritos.

Tomato Bisque

I love tomato soup, especially this recipe. Right now this is the perfect thing to do with all of your garden tomatoes!

2 c. chicken broth
14 1/2 oz can whole tomatoes, undrained and broken up
1/2 c. celery chopped
1/2 c. onion chopped
3 med. tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 T. butter
3 T. flour
2 c. half and half
1 T. Sugar

In an stockpot or large sauce pan, combine first 4 ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. In blender, puree mixture in small batches until smooth. In same pan, cook fresh tomatoes in butter for 5 minutes. Stir in flour. Add half and half. Over low heat, cook adn stir until thickened. Stir in broth mixture and sugar. Heath through, do not boil.