Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Here is a wonderful soup that is very easy to make using a slow cooker.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, with liquid
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, with liquid
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 cups water
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

Directions

1. In a medium skillet, cook the ground beef until browned over medium heat. Drain, and set aside.
2. Place the ground beef, onion, chili beans, kidney beans, corn, tomato sauce, water, diced tomatoes, green chile peppers and taco seasoning mix in a slow cooker. Mix to blend, and cook on Low setting for 8 hours.

Sugar Cookie Icing

If you want to take your sugar cookies to the next level, here is a recipe for making a classic sugar cookie icing.

Ingredients

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons milk
• 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• assorted food coloring

Directions

1. In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.
2. Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity. Dip cookies, or paint them with a brush.

Notes

• Makes enough icing for 1 dozen cookies.

Deliciously Decadent Fudge Brownies

If you are looking for something to make for a holiday party, I think you will find that this recipe for fudge brownies will fit the bill quite nicely.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt the bittersweet chocolate and the unsweetened chocolate with the butter, stirring until the mixture is smooth, remove the bowl from the heat, and let the mixture cool until it is lukewarm.
2. Stir in the sugar and the vanilla and add the eggs, 1 at a time, stirring well after each addition. Stir in the salt and the flour, stirring until the mixture is just combined, and stir in the chocolate chips.
3. Pour the batter into a well-buttered and floured 13- by 9-inch baking pan, smooth the top, and bake the mixture in the middle of a preheated 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it.
4. Let the mixture cool completely in the pan on a rack and cut it into 24 bars.

Sugar Cookies

One of the items I enjoy making are sugar cookies. They are very easy to make and are wonderful gifts.

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

Notes

• Makes 48 cookies.

Campbell's Soup Launch New Look to Its Nutrition & Wellness Website

With the new year around the corner and most Americans making a New Year resolution to lose weight and get into better shape, Campbell's Soup has a new website with some wonderful recipes to help you look and feel better in 2012.

It has sections on weight management, heart health, vegetables and fruits and grains and fiber to help you plan better meals that are nutritious and, most importantly, delicious.

Check out their new website by clicking here.

Apricot Cranberry Stuffing

This is a wonderful recipe which will definitely be a traditional hit with your family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf whole-meal bread
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped peeled apple
• 3/4 cup dried apricots (chopped)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 large grated zucchini
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme
• salt and pepper to taste (good when peppery)

Directions

1. Crumble or cube bread. Add all ingredients and mix well. It should be moist and sticking together.
2. Place it into a foil loaf pan, cover with silver foil (may refrigerate for up to 8 hours).
3. Bake covered in 325°F oven for 1 hour. If drier stuffing is desired: uncover and bake another 10-15 minutes.