Corn Palace Recipe

Mitchell, S. D. Corn Palace

South Dakotans raise a lot of corn, eat a lot of corn, tell a lot of corny jokes and even decorate with a lot of corn.

For 120 years the residents of Mitchell, S. D. have covered the outside of their Moorish-style civic center with a series of unique corn tableaux.

One of many corn-made panels that surround the corn-covered building.

It is the world's only Corn Palace and is a sight to see. You can see and read about it at http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1582242476670334394#editor/target=post;postID=1765735349890853339. 

In all of those years, however, only rarely have they held a recipe contest. When corn is in season again I'll share some of the recipes but in the meantime, here's a recipe that doesn't require it. Won a first place for Karen Jorgenson, though, and it's a busy mother's delight: No prep, just throw it together and wait.

Aunt Bonnie's Taco Soup

 8 servings
1 lb. ground beef
1  15-oz can black-eyed peas
1  15-oz. can black beans
1  15-oz. can chili beans, with chili gravy
1  15-oz. can garbanzo beans
1  14 1/2-oz can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
1  11-oz. can whole kernel corn (Mexi-corn) with sweet peppers
1  1.25-oz. package taco seasoning mix
Dairy sour cream
Salsa
Tortilla chips

In a 4-qt. Dutch oven cook ground beef until brown and drain the fat. Add  undrained cans of vegetables, add taco seasoning and stir until well mixed.

Bring soup mixture to boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Serve with sour cream, salsa and chips.

Crock pot directions:
Brown beef, drain and place in a 3 1/2 or 4-quart cooker. Stir vegetables and seasoning in, cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, on high heat for 3 to 4 hours.

Smacos: South Dakota version of s'mores

The Outdoor Campus, Sioux Falls, S. D.

Thea Miller Ryan, travel writer and director of The Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls, S. D., introduced me to Smacos, a south of the border, slightly tidier version of the campfire classic S'mores.

"It's a big hit with folks who love to camp or have a fire pit in their backyards," said the woman who runs this fabulous hands-on center that introduces South Dakotans to the outdoors and how to enjoy it.

You don't need a pit, just take the grill off the barbecue and throw them on the coals. The kids will love it.

Smacos

Flour tortillas (substitute corn tortilla for gluten free), at least one per person
Peanut butter
Chocolate chips
Small marshmallows

Ready to roll, fold, foil and heat.

Spread the tortilla with peanut butter. Top with 2 tsp. chocolate chips followed by  about 15 small marshmallows.

Ready for the coals.

Roll and fold the tortilla then roll it up in aluminum foil and seal well.

Put on embers or charcoal for 30 seconds on each side (more or less depending on the strength of the coals).

Not ready yet; put it back on the coals until chocolate and marshmallows are melted.

Eat and enjoy when it's ready!