There’s been a bit of a nip in the air this week – even today, as the mercury rises to 90 again, there’s an underlying autumnal feel – and as a result, it’s high time we bring out the Crock-Pot for some fall meals! Though this isn’t the crockery’s maiden voyage this autumn – we had barbecue chili last week, remember – it’s the first time I’ve fired it up with fall in mind. On tonight’s menu: Taco soup!
I’ve discussed this recipe before on this blog – several times, in fact – so longtime readers may remember how much I adore this soup AND how easy (and economical!) it is to make. But for those of you who are new to the scene (and welcome!), let me clarify: This is one of those meals that takes minutes to cobble together and makes enough to last all week. My standard-size Crock-Pot was filled to the absolute brim when I left the house this morning, teeming with a slightly spicy, protein- and veggie-rich concoction of black beans, chili beans, corn, taco seasoning, Rotel, tomato sauce, veggie broth, and – new to our kitchen – Beyond Meat vegetarian chik’n strips.
I’ve been wanting to try the Beyond Meat strips for a long time, but Whole Foods has always been out of them each time I’ve looked in the last month or so – a ringing endorsement, for sure. The result? The Beyond Meat worked out great! It held together beautifully in the Crock-Pot all day, which has been a problem for some of its competitors, and had a good texture and taste. LeeLee said it didn’t taste quite as much like chicken as some of the other strips we’ve used in the past, but I actually thought it tasted MORE like chicken than its competitors. We agreed that neither of us truly remembered what chicken tasted like, having not had any in more than a decade. So don’t let us steer you one way or the other on that. ;) Either way, both of us liked Beyond Meat quite a lot and will be using it again!
We spooned the soup into big bowls and used tortilla-chip strips for dipping. Pair it with a frosty-cold beer to ice down the taste buds when things get too spicy, and this meal can’t be beat! Expect to see it time and again this fall and winter; and expect to see the Beyond Meat brand again, too. We are converts, for sure!
:)