Week 25: Chipotle Taco Meat

2 lbs ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 small can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

2 cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 can Rotel tomatoes, undrained

1 can corn, rinsed and drained

1 Tbs beef bouillon

1 Tbs sugar

1 1/2 tea cumin

Brown ground beef and onions in skillet over stove top; drain fat from skillet.  Chop chipotle peppers into small chunks.  Mix all ingredients together and place in Crock Pot.  Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 4 hours.  Serve with taco shells, tortillas, chips, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese......the possibilities are endless!

First question I had when I read this recipe...What in the world is adobo sauce and where in the world am I going to find it?  Well, I decided to start in the most obvious place, the "ethnic food" aisle at King Soopers.  If they don't have it there, then where?  (Yes folks, I'm a white girl from Highlands Ranch, Co!)  Low and behold, right above the tiny cans of mild diced green chilies...a small can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce!  Easy!  I still don't think I really know what adobo sauce is, but it tastes great.  Kind of gives this recipe a smoky flavor.  And it is spicy!  So, if you don't want too much spice, maybe only half a can.  Second recommendation I have for you...raw tortillas.  A friend of mine, Renee K., gets the credit for this one.  These gems can be found at Walmart or Costco, next to the shredded cheeses.  They can be placed in the freezer and enjoyed whenever you need them, but they may not last until the freezer, so good.  (As per Renee's suggestion, I also eat these heated with just plain honey!  Simple, yummy dessert!)  Simply place a tortilla on a preheated skillet for 30-60 seconds, then flip and cook the other side.  Once you try these, the regular "ethnic aisle" tortillas will never be good enough again!  And lastly, to be fair to readers who don't always have 2-4 hours to cook, I will admit that the second time I made these, I made them over the stove top.  Simply start the same, but then add all the ingredients to the skillet instead of the slow cooker.  I covered and simmered on LOW heat for about an hour.  Tasted just as delicious!

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/1132/Chipotle-Taco-Filling111631.shtml