Pie and Southwest Soup

A weekend with plenty of celebration and a scary storm.  We needed the rain, but I'm sure many wish they had their trees still standing.  One of the few days I was glad we don't have trees in our yard.  Thankfully it was not worse.

I made two pies for a get together this weekend.  The first was a lemon meringue pie (my mom's favorite).  I've made this one previously.  Making a lemon meringue pie is so much fun.  It's more like a science experiment.  If anyone ever wants a meringue pie and doesn't feel like fixing it, come see me.  I use the recipe from the Betty Crocker cookbook and it has turned out wonderful every time.

 (stock photo again.  We were too excited to eat that I forgot to take a picture.)

I also made a chocolate cream pie.  I'm not usually a fan.  These pies just remind me of pudding and I've never grown fond of pudding.  But I did end up enjoying this one.  It was the first time attempting this recipe.  I altered it slightly.  I added a layer of chocolate ganache on the pie crust.  I smoothed it over the bottom and froze it for a bit.  Then I added the chocolate cream on top and let it chill.  I think the extra layer also prevented the crust from getting soggy.  It was pretty tasty and super chocolatey (never a bad thing).

(Close up of chocolate layer on bottom)

Thanks to Mary and Terry for having a get together over the weekend.  Love the pool, food, and games.  Mary and Terry are amazing cooks.  Hopefully I'll get some of their recipes as well.

Well, it's the first cooler day.  I know that 67 is not cold.  But compared to the 90's a few days ago, it feels chilly.  So I'm making one of my favorite soups for dinner.  This is definitely a family favorite.  I think my mom found it in a church cookbook years ago.  I'm sure some of you already have the recipe.  It is called Southwest Soup and is more like a chili.  It is incredibly easy to make.  Recipe below if anyone wants to try it.

Southwest Soup
1 lb ground beef (or turkey or combo)
1 can diced tomatoes
3 cans beef broth (around 42 oz depending on consistency you like)
1 can corn
1 can black beans
1 can great northern beans
1 can kidney beans
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet ranch dressing seasoning
toppings:  sour cream, shredded cheese, and tortilla chips

Directions- brown beef and drain.  Mix with remaining ingredients in large pot.  Cook over low heat for an hour or until warmed through (Also does well in a crock pot).  Top with toppings of your choice.

*I try to find the low sodium options for many of these ingredients

If anyone wants the chocolate cream or lemon meringue pie recipe, you can email me @ juliecdeacon@gmail.com.