Big Chunks.

First, how appetizing is that title? Good thing this is a recipe post!

Two soups you need--must--make sometime before this Ice Age ends: chicken tortilla and taco. Both are super hearty and delicious, and also my variations, entirely dependent on whatever I have in the house and/or my ever-changing taste buds.

[Sidenote: I think Tony is growing increasingly offended that I now like "big chunks" of onions, tomatoes, et cetera, in everything (sidenote sidenote: "big chunks," to Tony, are actually minutely diced pieces, which he spends forever picking out of his food) Um, sorry I'm vegetably mature now! Sheesh.]

Also, both soups include this stuff:

Sweet nectar of the gods. If that nectar was Mexican-y. And sold by Tastefully Simple consultants.

So, to commemorate my first recipe post, and because you can't make either of these recipes to their full potential without this stuff, I'm giving one away. That's right, ladies and occasional gentlemen (Dad!), this is officially the Second Doxology Mine Giveaway. I've hit the big time, folks.

Just leave a comment and you're in!

Now, on to the deliciousness.

I apologize for the lack of step-by-step pictures. I am not the Pioneer Woman, as much as I want to be. Too impatient. And my internet is too inreliable. Anyway...here you go!

Spicy Taco Soup

1-1 1/2 lb. ground beef, chuck, whatever.

1/2 medium white onion

1 garlic clove

2 pkgs. taco seasoning

1 can whole kernel corn (drained)

1 can cream corn

1 can black beans (partially drained)

1 can Rotel

2-3 T (or more!) Tastefully Simple Fiesta Party Dip Mix

3 1/2-4 C water.

Brown meat with onion and garlic; drain. Throw into a crockpot with the rest of the ingredients and let simmer on high for about an hour. Taste and see that this is good! And then serve with tortilla chips.

Sorry about the shoddy cell phone picture (and the fact that it's in Tupperware), but if you're like me, you at least need a finished shot to see what the heck it's supposed to look like. Not that this looks as good as it does in real life...in a real bowl.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

8 C water

3-4 boneless chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken

1 can Rotel

1 can milk

12 oz. velveeta, or 8 oz. shredded cheddar--or whatever--cheese

1/4 C sauteed onion

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 T seasoned salt*

1 1/2 - 2 T Fiesta Party Dip Mix*

1 tsp black pepper

2-3 flour tortillas (torn into small pieces)

*If you don't have the Party Dip Mix, and can deal with lesser quality taste [partially joking], then substitute the Lawry's and the Party Dip Mix with 1 tsp. chili powder and 1 tsp. seasoning salt.

Boil chicken in water. Remove from water and cut into bite-sized pieces. Return to broth and add rest of ingredients, minus the tortillas! Bring to boil, and continue boiling for 10 minutes. Add small pieces of tortillas (however many you may think you'll like) and boil until tortillas are soft.

Yum, yum, and yum.

A couple of notes:

1. I am not a paid advertiser of Tastefully Simple. But if they send me a huge check for my numerous plugs today, I would take it. Giddily.

B. Please look past the fact that the Tastefully Simple website has a spot for Delilah lovers. I saw that tonight and almost renounced my love of the Fiesta Party Dip Mix. I might start a petition for people-who-get-so-irritated-with-Delilah-that-it-almost-makes-them-boycott-Christmas-music-on-the-River-every-year-but-can't-because-that-would-just-be-so-wrong-to-my-soul.

"Or Mr. 152-insights-into-my-soul!" Name that movie.

III. I like to hyphenate things.

And to conclude, I realize that "Fiesta Party Dip Mix" is shamefully redundant, but I promise it does not effect the taste whatsoever. Don't even get me started on the woeful state of general grammar in the US. Or on facebook.

Whew! Do you love me again?

I have never stopped loving you. Ever.

UPDATE: No comments after midnight on Thursday, January 7. Sorry, I forgot that this needs a deadline.