Taco soup (spicy version)

1/2  cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced carrots
1 can cream of potato soup
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn (drained)
1 can chilli
1 can diced green chillies
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 pkt. taco seasoning
If you are using a loose mix, I measured this, it was around 1/4 cup.


Simmer in a crockpot 4-6 hours.

Serve with Fritos corn chips.
I also serve this with my low-fat corn bread muffins, coming next week.

You may add sour cream and shredded cheese if you want to jazz this up.

Taco soup (mild version)

1 can tomato soup

2 cans kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 can garbanzo beans
1 can corn
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 lb. hamburger (optional)
1 cup salsa
1 pkt. taco seasoning
(I measured this and it is about 1/4 cup if you are using a dry mix)
Throw into a crockpot and stir. 
Bring to a boil and turn down to low once you see bubbling.

Serve with Fritos corn chips.

I drain the corn and all beans.
You can make this vegetarian by omitting the hamburger and you won't notice any flavor difference.

If you have a low heat tolerance, change to 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning powder.

Beef Stew

Soup Base:

4 cups water (or fill your crock pot 1/2 way with water)
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of tomato soup
1 small can tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon Shirley J Beef Bullion
2 Tablespoons Shirley J onion seasoning
1/3 cup Shirley J Universal sauce
Spices: bay leaf, pepper, basil

Root vegetables:
Celery
Onion, diced
Carrots
Potatoes

2 cups browned beef

After mixing base and spices, add other vegetables. Cook all day in a slow cooker. I turn my slow cooker on high until I get a boil, then down to low for the rest of the afternoon.
This soup has a rusty color that lets you know it is ready.

This is a great soup for beginners.  If you need help with your vegetables, try 4 cups potatoes, 4 cups carrots, 1 cup celery and 1 medium onion.  I never measure this stuff, just throw in what I like, but if you need a guide, try it.

This is a fabulous soup for winter.  So nice, when you are tired of chicken noodle.

Simple Chicken Stew

Soup Base:
4 cups water
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1/3 cup Shirley J Universal Sauce
2 Tablespoons Shirley J chicken bullion,
1 Tablespoon Shirley J Pizza Spice
Sprinkling of fresh ground pepper

Wisk this together then add vegetables:
Potatoes
Carrots
Celery
Onion, diced
2 cups cooked canned chicken

Place in a crock pot on high until you see bubbling then turn down to low for the rest of the day.

I use canned chicken just because it is easier to throw in. I usually put it in at the end so it doesn't become too soft while cooking. You could also use raw, but I would brown it first. Raw chicken would need to be in your slow cooker all day with the rest of your soup. This is a mild but tasty soup that young kids will enjoy.  I love Shirley J products but I'm sure you could use what you have on hand.

Shirley J products can be found in a number of stores.  Click here to see the Shirley J store directory.