With Christmas quickly approaching and the crisp fall weather lingering, perhaps the perfect fall evening is to curl up on the couch in front of the fireplace and enjoy a warm and savory bowl of soup. If you’re a soup lover at heart, this recipe is ideal for you and your family.
Local mom and real estate agent Marian Hollis is sharing a family-favorite dish for a cold night. She’s a single mother of two who enjoys being in the kitchen and preparing devourable meals for her family to enjoy. Her 15-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter love for their mom to cook and they savor every bite.
Marian, a native of Nigeria, Lagos, was born and raised there until the age of nine. Within her culture, it was natural to grow up learning her way around a kitchen and preparing meals for her family, which consisted of nine children. From an early age, she began cooking, cleaning, and helping take care of her siblings. Her mother, who prided herself on raising well-balanced children, ensured she knew how to cook during her upbringing in Africa.
When Marian entered motherhood, she continued to enjoy cooking for her children, and like any parent with several responsibilities and obligations, it became a form of stress relief. She is a self-declared “foodie” and enjoys indulging in every morsel. One of Marian’s favorite things about cooking is preparing meals precisely how she likes and hearing her son (the food critic) give her feedback on her one-of-a-kind cooking skills. Although, she humorously admits, “He never lies.”
Marian’s daughter is following in her footsteps, loves being in the kitchen, and has mastered baking. Her daughter’s favorite foods are pasta, rice, corn, and baked beans. Her favorite meal to make is “Tik Toc Pasta.” She makes it twice a week.
Most meals Marian cooks are quick. However, many African cuisines take longer to make but are worth the effort. Marian and her children prefer African food over American dishes, but often there just isn’t time. She shares, “What I make when rushing around during the holiday season depends on what I have on hand. I love to make good Taco Soup. I hope your readers enjoy it!”
Taco Soup
Ingredients
- 1lb ground turkey (or beef, drain the oil out if using beef)
- 1 large onion
- 2 packs of taco seasoning
- 3 packs of dry ranch seasoning
- 1 can of black beans
- 1 can of kidney beans
- 1 can of pinto beans
- Salt and pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper flakes or powder to taste
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese
- Favorite chips or crackers
Directions
In a large pot, season ground turkey and onions with salt, pepper, onion powder, pepper flakes and garlic powder and cook over medium heat. Drain excess oil once the meat is fully cooked. Open all three cans of beans, draining and rinsing with fresh water. Add rinsed beans to the pot of cooked meat; add taco and ranch seasonings. Use an empty can as a measuring cup and fill with water two times. Pour into the mixture, stir and cover to cook for 15 minutes.
To assemble, be creative! Place two scoops of sour cream at the bottom of your bowl and top with lots of cheese. Pour soup on top of sour cream and cheese and place chips around the bowl. The mixture of cold sour cream and cheese with the warm soup is amazing. Enjoy!
