Winner Dinner

After dropping the ball for Fat Tuesday, I had to got back quickly into the keto lifestyle. But, and there is always a big but, I wanted something really flavorful. (And easy, did I mention easy?) I know the meal I chose was pushing my luck because THeHub only likes to eat soup when the temps are pretty cool and spring has sprung with a vengeance (and pollen).

Creamy Taco Soup (This is more of a "how to" than a real recipe because I did not measure anything. All the spices are just estimates of what I used)

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 pound ground chuck

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium bell pepper chopped

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon cumin

1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon powered cilantro

salt to taste

1 can Rotel tomatoes

cream cheese (I used about 6 ounces, but could have used 4 and it would have been fine)

unsalted beef broth (what I use because I am not a big salt fan, if you like salt use salted)

1 tablespoon lime juice (fresh would have been better but I only had a bottle of key lime juice)

couple of shakes of hot sauce (optional)

To the oil in the bottom of a soup pot, add the ground beef onions, garlic and bell pepper. Cook stirring continually until the beef is lightly browned and the veggies are soft. Drain any grease from the pan and add the spices. When they are well mixed add the Rotel tomatoes and the cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese melts, then add the beef broth. I used less than the full quart, probably about 3/4 of the carton and added a little water just because I did not want it to taste "beefy". Simmer on low for about 15 minutes. Before serving stir in the lime and hot sauce. I garnished mine with a few grape tomatoes, a few slices of a mini avocado, and a few shreds of cheese. TheHub had his over saffron rice which made it a very filling dish for him.

This was not a particularly pretty soup but it was delicious and I will make it again, but it will probably be sometime next fall! You know, it one of those outdoor temperature things to appease those who can only eat soup if it is cool,