Lower Salt Taco Soup

This is a modification of a standard recipe that reduces the salt and eliminates packaged seasonings so you can vary the amount of seasonings to suit your taste for a fresher, healthier dish.

There are many options for seasoning (and likewise many versions of this dish.) The simplest method, although heavily seasoned and salty, is one package taco seasoning mix and one package dry ranch dressing mix. However, the recipe was too salty for my family's needs, so I always substitute spices on hand for the package mixes. Once you acquire the seasonings, this saves money as well as salt.

Ingredients:

• 3 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes and chiles
• 1 can ranch style beans
• 1 can pinto, kidney, or second can ranch style beans
• 1 can corn
• 2 cups water
• Homemade Taco Seasoning mix (below)
• Homemade Ranch Dressing mix (below)

Taco Seasoning Mix:

• 4 tsp. dried minced onion (can use fresh chopped onion)
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. bottled chopped garlic,
• 1 tsp. ground cumin,
• 1/2 tsp. oregano, and
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper.

Ranch Dressing Mix:

• 1 tsp. dried parsley,
• 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt,
• 1/8 tsp. dried thyme, and
• garlic and onion flavoring to taste, if desired. Generally the amounts in the taco seasoning are plenty.

Directions:

Mix all items in large dutch oven or slow-cooker and warm until flavors are well blended. Check seasoning and add small amounts of salt if desired. Serve with Fritos, cornbread, sharp cheese, etc. as desired.

This can either heat fairly quickly for a fast meal, or slow cook for hours safely.

If your group includes meat lovers, brown 1 lb. sirloin or ground beef and drain. Serve the meat either on the side or add to soup during cooking.

Additional salt reducer: use no-salt added versions of the tomatoes and corn.

If you have kids who don't like pieces of tomato in their food, simply puree (grind up in blender or food processor) your tomatoes and Rotel. They'll never know!

By nhe from Denton, TX