It seems these days we all live very busy lives. Whether we are working all day and come home and need a quick dinner, or maybe we have been taxiing kids around to all their sporting events and need something quick before the next game. Whatever the reason, it seems my biggest request is for quick and easy meals.
My taco dinner is not only easy, quick but it is delicious. First, you get the ground beef browning. I like to use the lowest fat ground beef for our family for three reasons; 1. It is healthier, 2. I have less grease to drain and mess with. Several years ago, my family and I were at a party at my friend Judy’s house. She grew up in California, and thus had the opportunity of eating at a lot of authentic Mexican restaurants, not just the chain type restaurants. She taught me how to fry soft corn tortillas and use those as our taco shells versus the store bought crispy corn shells or flour tortillas. My kids have never been the same, since then taco night isn’t taco night without these lightly fried taco shells. If you are watching calories, try using just a thinner layer of oil in your pan, just enough to give each side of the tortilla some crisp. Or use Mama’s homemade gluten free soft flour tortillas. So anyway, while the taco meet is browning, I make the taco shells, and set out the condiments that go on the tacos. Another tip that I recommend is make double the amount of taco meet so that you can have leftovers or nachos for lunches the next couple of days.
Taco Meet
Ingredients
(This recipes serves a family of 6 plus leftovers. This recipe can be halved.)
2 lbs ground beef, leanest
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. ground pepper
(Seasonings are to taste. Start with this amount and if you prefer extra flavor add more as desired)
1 small can tomato sauce, 8oz (secret ingredient, shhhh!)
¾ cup water
Directions
Over medium heat, brown hamburger. While meat is browning, using your spatula or wooden spoon and break up the hamburger into small pieces. Drain excess grease. Return meat to pan. Add spices, and stir. Then add the small can of tomato sauce, and water. Reduce heat to low and allow meat to simmer for about 5-10 minutes while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
Fried Corn Taco Shells
Ingredients
white corn or yellow corn soft tortillas (plan at least 2 per person more for those with a healthier appetite, like the guys)
canola oil
Directions
Using a medium sauce pan, pour a 1/4 inch thick layer of oil in to the pan. For just lightly crisping the tortillas, use a thinner layer of oil. Heat oil of medium high heat.
Once oil is hot, reduce heat to medium. Place a tortilla into the oil. Fry each side for 10-15 seconds. Then using your tongs, fold the tortilla in half and fry on each side just until they begin to become golden brown.
Note: If you fry them too long they won’t be able to open them and fill them with the taco meet without cracking. So just when they start crisping up, flip over and crisp the other side.
Then drip excess oil off of each tortilla and place on a paper towel lined plate, and repeat. As you get the hang of it, and depending on the size of your pan, you can fry about 2-3 tortillas at a time.
Easy Guacamole
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
¼ tsp. salt or to taste
fresh ground pepper
2-3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of ½ of a lime
Directions
Peel avocado, and slice into small pieces and place in bowl. Add salt, fresh ground pepper, cilantro and lime juice. Using a fork, mash the avocado until smooth. Stir well to combine spices.
Mama’s Suggested Condiments
Mama’s Fresh Salsa, click here for recipe
green onions, chopped
cheddar cheese, shredded (Or Mexican blend)
sour cream
fresh guacamole
fresh cilantro leaves
Here is Mama’s tip for finely ground taco meet.
Prefer Homemade Gluten Free Soft Flour Tortillas?
This recipes serves a family of 6 plus leftovers. This recipe can be halved.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef, leanest
- 2 tsp. cumin
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- ½ tsp. ground pepper
- (Seasonings are to taste. Start with this amount and if you prefer extra flavor add more as desired)
- 1 small can tomato sauce, 8oz (secret ingredient, shhhh!)
- ¾ cup water
- white corn or yellow corn soft tortillas (plan at least 2 per person more for those with a healthier appetite, like the guys)
- canola oil
[br]
- Quick Guacamole Ingredients[br]
- 2 ripe avocados
- ¼ tsp. salt or to taste
- fresh ground pepper
- 2-3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
- juice of ½ of a lime
Instructions
- Taco Meet Directions ~ Over medium heat, brown hamburger. While meat is browning, using your spatula or wooden spoon and break up the hamburger into small pieces. Drain excess grease. Return meat to pan. Add spices, and stir. Then add the small can of tomato sauce, and water. Reduce heat to low and allow meat to simmer for about 5-10 minutes while preparing the rest of the ingredients. [br]
- Fried Corn Taco Shells[br]
- Using a medium sauce pan, pour a 1/4 inch thick layer of oil in to the pan. For just lightly crisping the tortillas, use a thinner layer of oil. Heat oil of medium high heat.
- Once oil is hot, reduce heat to medium. Place a tortilla into the oil. Fry each side for 10-15 seconds. Then using your tongs, fold the tortilla in half and fry on each side just until they begin to become golden brown.
- Then drip excess oil off of each tortilla and place on a paper towel lined plate, and repeat. As you get the hang of it, and depending on the size of your pan, you can fry about 2-3 tortillas at a time.[br]
- Easy Guacamole[br]
- Peel avocado, and slice into small pieces and place in bowl. Add salt, fresh ground pepper, cilantro and lime juice. Using a fork, mash the avocado until smooth. Stir well to combine spices.
Notes
Note if you fry the corn tortillas too long, they won’t be able to open them and fill them with the taco meet without cracking. So just when they start crisping up, flip over and crisp the other side.
We always like to hear from our viewers. Have you tried this recipe? Let us know what you think! Have a tip or a question, ask away and we will do our best to answer quickly.