Carlena's Easy Tex Mex Stew!

For my first post I wanted to put one of my favorite recipes up.  I am a bit obsessed with it right now, not that my roommate doesn't mind. (In fact I would say she loves it too.)  It's real easy, simple, and quick and you probably have most of the ingredients already.  First, I got the basics of this recipe from a friend.  I made it like she told me to and it didn't taste the same.  I tried one more time and much to my dismay, I had not made it right.  So I set out to make it my own way, keep the same basic idea but make it mine.  Make it better.  And I did.  And it's wonderful on a cold night.  Here is the recipe for everyone! (Oh and I call it Tex Mex Stew because when I told someone who was of Mexican heritage that it was called that, I was quickly and rudely informed that it was not Mexican, so I changed the name.)

Carlena's Tex Mex Stew

Cook Time: Approx 30 minutes

Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (you may sub ground turkey, pork, or chicken)
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix
1 packet Old El Paso Taco Seasoning (any brand is fine)
3 cans petite diced tomatos (do NOT drain)
2 cans crushed tomatos
2 cans yellow hominy (do NOT drain)
1 can white hominy (do NOT drain)
1 can black beans (drain and rinse)
1/2 large onion chopped
1 tbsp garlic salt (I use Lawrys)
2 tbsp parsley (dried or fresh chopped)
1-2 tsp of Cayenne (you can add more if you like spicy)
2 tsp dill
salt and pepper to taste

Toppings
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream
Tortilla Chips (Restaurant style is my personal favorite to use)

Directions
Brown ground beef in a large skillet with salt and pepper (I also like to brown my meat with extra cayenne, parsley, and dill).  Once the meat is almost done, add the onions.  Continue cooking meat and onions until the onions are opaque and the meat is thoroughly cooked. Drain grease and set aside

In a large stock pot combine all canned ingredients (tomatoes, hominy, and beans), seasoning packets, and spices and herbs. Mix well.

Once you have stirred all the ingredients in the stock pot, add the cooked ground beef and onions to your stock pot.  Stir until well combined

Cook on stove top for 10 minutes on medium heat.  After 10 minutes reduce heat to medium low and cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once cooked ladle into bowls and add sour cream and shredded cheese.  Use tortilla chips to scoop or crush into stew.

Serves around 8 to 10 people :)

Enjoy!

Love, Ms CarlenaJ