On the Fifth Day of Christmas

My true love gave to me Five Golden Rings. My true love loved me before the beginning of time. He gave to the world His word. Praise be.

Christians know The Five Golden Rings as The Pentateuch, and the Jewish People know it as part of the Torah. The Golden Rings are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers, the first five books of the Word of God.

The Five Golden Rings tell us of the story of our creation. They give us the laws that guide civilization, teach us of human weaknesses and how God is our strength. They remind us that even in our darkest hour, even in those moments when we are at our inhumane worst, God continues to love us. His forgiveness is always there, and His love will heal our broken spirit.

People have conditions – and love one another conditionally. It is part of our imperfection. The Lord our God, the Creator of the Universe, loves unconditionally. For that we must be grateful, because He knows how flawed we can be. Yet He loves us anyway. How awesome is that?

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Today is also National Pepper Pot Soup Day. Pepper Pot Soup is known as the soup that won the war – as in the American Revolution. The idea of soup in round bowls to represent the Golden Rings seemed perfect. There was just one tiny problem – my guys would not eat some of the traditional ingredients in Pepper Pot Soup. And I’m not sure I would, either.

Tripe, kale and okra were just a few of the ingredients that might just get picked out. So I decided to go in another direction – Nacho Soup. Nacho Soup is peppery and golden. Perfect for today. Best of all, it’s a soup my guys would gobble up on a cold winter’s day. Enjoy!

Golden Beefy Nacho Soup
Nacho Soup
3 Garlic Cloves
1 Yellow Onion
1 lb Ground Chuck
2-1/2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
1 can Ro-Tel Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Chili
2 cups Half-and-Half
15 oz Refried Beans
1 can Campbell’s Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup

Peel and finely mince garlic cloves. Set aside. Peel and finely dice the onion. Set aside.

In a large cast iron skillet, crumble ground beef. Sprinkle onion over the crumbled meat. Using a wooden spoon, brown ground beef, stirring in the onions and breaking apart any large pieces. Drain of excess oil and place meat into a large pot or Dutch oven.

Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add taco seasoning, Ro-tel with juice, half-and-half, refried beans, and nacho cheese soup. Stir and bring to a slight boil. Reduce heat. Simmer 20 minutes for flavors to develop.

While the soup simmers, prepare the garnishings for serving.

Nacho Garnish
1 Tomato, diced
2 stalks Green Onions, sliced
Tortilla Chips, as needed
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup Black Olives, sliced

Dice tomatoes, set aside. Slice green onions, set aside.

When soup is ready to enjoy, ladle into soup bowls. Garnish with tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese, olives, tomatoes and green onions as desired.