Becca Archives - Crumbs and Chaos

Spicy Taco Soup

February 27, 2015 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos Leave a Comment

Warm and comforting, Spicy Taco Soup is sure to hit the spot for a simple dinner!

Hosting a crowd for lunch or dinner is easy if you plan on making a pot or two of soup, some bread, a salad and a simple dessert. I personally love make ahead meals like this one, which happens to be ridiculously easy, and is possibly even more delicious the second day. All you need to do is brown the beef and open a few cans…a recipe that can definitely be called super easy.

I love moderately spicy food, so making this with a bit of a kick was required. I used one regular and one hot packet of taco seasoning which was just right on the spiciness scale for our crowd. Make this on a quiet morning and you’ll be so ready to dig in by the time dinner rolls around. If you don’t happen to be feeding a crowd, then you’ll have lunch ready for the next day

Spicy Taco Soup | Crumbs and Chaos

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Spicy Taco Soup

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Ingredients

1 lb. GROUND BEEF
2 pkg. TACO SEASONING* (1 regular, 1 hot)
1 can PETITE DICED TOMATOES
1 can ORIGINAL ROTEL
2 can CHILI BEANS
1 can CORN, drained
1 15 oz. can TOMATO SAUCE
2 cups WATER
SHREDDED CHEESE, SOUR CREAM and TORTILLA CHIPS for serving

Instructions

In a large pot, brown ground beef. Drain grease.
Stir in taco seasoning packets. Add tomatoes, rotel, chili beans, corn, tomato sauce and water. Heat to simmer, stirring occasionally and cook for about 30 minutes.
Serve immediately with shredded cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips. OR Allow to cool and refrigerate until ready to serve, reheat gently on the stove top or in crock pot on low.

Notes

*This soup gets it's spiciness from the packet of hot taco seasoning, I used McCormick Taco Seasoning. If you need to tone things down a bit, use regular or mild for both taco seasonings, mild rotel and mild chili beans.

Spicy Taco Soup | Crumbs and Chaos

Soups to feed a crowd…

Creamy White Chicken Chili

Pork Chili Verde

Tortellini Sausage Soup

Perfect Potato Soup

Mixed Berry Iced Tea {+ a giveaway}

February 24, 2015 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos 27 Comments

This refreshing sip {Mixed Berry Iced Tea} is brought to you by Simply Juice Drinks.

I know most of the country is still frozen over in this February cold and you’re probably wondering why I’m bringing up something cold and refreshing to drink. Well, I’m dreaming of warmer days, so that counts for something right? You may want to file this recipe away under ‘must try later,’ but I’m pretty sure you’re aren’t going to want to wait any longer to try Simply Beverages’ new Juice Drinks.

Free from preservatives, added colors or artificial flavors, Simply Juice Drinks come in 3 tasty flavors – Mixed Berry, Tropical and Fruit Punch. Any one of these all natural drinks are an ideal addition to the beverage corner at your next get together. Poured over ice, they are a sweet afternoon treat, even in the middle of winter or any of them would be a delicious start to your favorite mocktail or cocktail….

Peanut Butter & Jelly Pie

February 13, 2015 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos 1 Comment

Growing up pb&j was a popular lunch choice, even now making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on occasion feels comforting and familiar. Taking a fond childhood favorite and turning it into dessert? You bet I did. And you won’t believe how simple it is. No bake desserts for the win.

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Ravioli Lasagna

February 11, 2015 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos Leave a Comment

Looking for a delectable dinner? Ravioli Lasagna is easier to make that traditional lasagna and just as delicious!

Last summer I came upon a recipe for Ravioli Lasagna, seemingly so simple…it was definitely worth a try instead of the usual laborious task of lasagna assembly. It was indeed well loved by {most of} our family and continues to appear in the meal planning rotation around these parts.

What I love about this dish? It feeds a crowd, is total comfort food and the leftovers are great if you’re not actually feeding a crowd in one night. Win-win! You still need to bake this for almost an hour, but the good news is assembling it is actually a breeze and you can put it together ahead of time and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. And moms everywhere rejoiced because dinner was so easy and delicious!

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Tomato Feta Soup

January 30, 2015 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos 2 Comments

The weather is cold, cold, cold here in the Midwest. I really do love each of the seasons for the different beauty that each brings. I secretly enjoy being at home more in the winter. Spending time in the kitchen making some of my favorite cold weather dishes and hanging out near the fireplace in the evenings are both things I relish about this time of year. My husband and I both really love soup and I make it as much as I can. A bowl of soup alongside a sandwich makes a terrific lunch or dinner, especially with the cold winds howling outside.

A simple and satisfying soup, Tomato Feta Soup is bisque-like in texture and the Philadelphia Cream Cheese adds the right amount of creaminess. I love the flavor that comes from using fire roasted tomatoes, but if you can’t find them feel free to use regular diced tomatoes. The feta cheese crumbles add an extra oomph that you don’t find in ordinary tomato soup.

I also love adding Philadelphia Flavored Cream Cheese (Spicy Jalapeño is my fave) to a grilled cheese sandwich along with Cracker Barrel Cheddar, Havarti or Asiago Cheeses. Serious grilled cheese perfection to with your steamy bowl of soup! Click here for the full recipe: Tomato Feta Soup

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This recipe is brought to you as part of an ongoing partnership with Kraft Foods. All opinions are my own.

Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn {+ a Party Popcorn giveaway}

January 28, 2015 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos 16 Comments

Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn | Crumbs and Chaos

Sweet and sticky, Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn is ready to make an appearance for so many occasions…holidays, game day, movie night, girls night in…the list could go on and on.

With the exception of my youngest, we are a popcorn loving family. Our favorite way to enjoy air popped popcorn? With salt and equal parts melted butter and coconut oil…it’s amazing! There are times, however, that we need to think outside the bowl for a crunchy popcorn treat. Enter Party Popcorn, a book all about popcorn written by Ashton of Something Swanky.

You guys, this book is a complete resource. There is seriously something for everyone…nacho cheese doritos popcorn, german chocolate cake popcorn, basil garlic popcorn, peanut brittle popcorn. Gourmet varieties that you can make at home in your very own kitchen. The instructions for each recipe are easy to understand and follow. There’s also a chapter for the little ones…Strawberry Fizz Popcorn, anyone?

Today I’m sharing the recipe for Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn, which in the book is made with M&Ms, but I wanted to make it a little more seasonal so I switched those out for conversation hearts for a yummy twist. You can store this for up to a day, it may or may not have lasted that long at my house…I’m not telling

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4.5 from 2 reviews

Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn

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Ingredients

8 cups POPPED POPCORN
4 cups MINI MARSHMALLOWS
3 Tablespoons BUTTER
1 drop RED or PINK FOOD COLORING (optional)
½ - 1 cup VALENTINE CONVERSATION HEARTS*

Instructions

Place popcorn in a large bowl and make sure to take out all of the unpopped kernels.
In a large microwave safe bowl, heat marshmallows and butter for 1 minute on medium power. Stir to combine. Heat in additional 30 seconds increments until fully melted and smooth.
Add food coloring to marshmallow mixture and stir to combine. Pour over popcorn and add candies. Stir to coat as completely as possible. Serve right away.

Notes

*If fruity conversation hearts aren't your thing, use your favorite candies (such as M&Ms)

Recipe Source: Slightly adapted from Party Popcorn by Ashton Swank

Gooey Marshmallow Popcorn | Crumbs and Chaos

You can win your own copy of Party Popcorn, leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite way to enjoy popcorn – are you a classic butter and salt popcorn eater or do you go for something more adventurous?

Giveaway will end Wednesday, February 4 at midnight EST. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted by email, if they haven’t responded within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Prize is provided and fulfilled by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I was not compensated for this post, all opinions are my very own.

Caramel Almond Shortbread Bars

January 5, 2015 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos 2 Comments

Almonds coated in soft caramel atop a buttery shortbread crust – Caramel Almond Shortbread Bars are an absolutely delightful treat!

Happy Monday, ya’ll! Today is the first ‘working’ day of January and there are those of us struggling to get back to work. It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks around these parts. With family and friends coming and going, so.much.food to eat and fantastic new games to games to play, we’ve enjoyed every minute. Taking a blogging break was refreshing, but that means I’m not coming to you live today with some fresh faced, low cal recipe for the month of January. I’m posting one of my favorite Christmas treats about a month late, but it needs to be done. File this one away for your Valentines ♥…

Glazed Eggnog Cookies

December 16, 2014 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos

‘Tis the season for all things eggnog! While I adore baking with it, I’m not one to grab a glass of it to drink cold. This particular eggnog cookie is one that our family looks forward to all year. Last month’s Double Chocolate Eggnog Bread has quickly become a family favorite too.

As the year is winding down and we’re up to our knees in the holiday hustle and bustle, it’s fun to look towards the traditions that come in the last couple weeks of December. This year we’re looking forward not traveling over the holidays and enjoying Christmas Day in our new house. {hallelujah!} We’ll be hosting dinner on Christmas Eve with part of my husband’s family. One thing that remains the same regardless of where we are on Christmas is the need for nog My husband loves to drink it and I love using it to make breakfast and dessert.

International Delight is ready for the holidays too, with their seasonal selection of flavored creamers and nog. You can choose a new variety every time you go grocery shopping! Happy holidays!
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Maple Fudge

December 13, 2014 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos 1 Comment

How many of you have already started making your yearly batch of Christmas goodies? May I suggest that you add this Maple Fudge to your list of things to make this year? It’s downright amazing!!

I consider fudge an absolute must have Christmas treat. My mother-in-law requests that I make peanut butter fudge each year and I usually whip up a batch of classic chocolate too. But this fudge is my new favorite. You can taste all of the things it has going on – butter, brown sugar and maple. And it is insanely delicious. There isn’t a whole lot of hands on time required to make this, from start to finish it’s about 20 minutes. So it really is a simple thing to have on hand for treat trays and to give away this holiday. …

Easy Chocolate Chip Turtle Cookies

December 12, 2014 By Becca@CrumbsandChaos

You guys, ’tis the season for holiday baking. And while I love baking up the classics, it’s also fun to see new ingredients for baking popping up in stores everywhere, especially this time of year. My kids always go for the chocolate chip cookies at my house, but I thought it would be fun to give them a spin this time around.

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