Thursday, March 26, 2009

TACO FILLING

I often look at the packets of dry seasoning and gravy mixes, at the grocery store, and wonder what is in them besides the main ingredient which seems to be salt. I see young cooks buying packets of taco seasoning mix and I have to resist the urge to tell them “save your money…you probably have the necessary ingredients at home already!”

This is a good, basic, kid friendly recipe for beef taco filling because it is more flavorful than spicy; I’ve used this recipe for many years. If you like more “heat”, just add some (seeded and diced) jalapeño peppers. Personally, I like more heat than my husband (who thinks black pepper is too spicy LOL), so instead of bumping up the seasoning in the whole recipe, I just add some pepperjack cheese to MY taco.

1 pound lean ground beef
2/3 cup chopped sweet onion
3 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon regular paprika (not the hot kind)
pinch garlic powder
pinch of dried red pepper flakes (or to taste)
½ cup water
(1) 4 ounce can of Ortega chopped mild green chiles

Brown the ground beef and onions, then drain well. Return meat to pan and add everything else. Simmer for about 15 minutes, using your spatula to chop the burger into fine pieces as it cooks. The water will help disperse the seasonings and then it will cook away. Turn heat down and keep warm until ready to use.

NOTE: If have an unexpected guest or two, just add some refried beans to the meat and mix well.SEE VIDEO TUTORIAL >>

Related Posts:

  • CROCKPOT SHORT RIB TACOSThe next two weeks are very busy "baking" weeks for me, how about you? I've made three different kinds of jam to put in gift baskets, and now I'm star… Read More
  • CROCK POT SPICY PORK AND PINTO'sThis recipe is a real crowd pleaser. Fork-tender pork tenderloin with pinto beans, spicy gravy and it all cooks together in the crock pot!! The f… Read More
  • TACO MEAT LOAFThis meat loaf is a lot of fun and it is a great way to perk up any week night. It has crushed corn chips, salsa and cheese in it and then its topped … Read More
  • FLOUR TORTILLASI've been on a "learning how to make flour tortillas" kick all week; I don't know how many different recipes I've tried, but it has been a lot of fun … Read More
  • SUPER EASY FLOUR TORTILLASI throw away a lot of tortillas, do you? I use 5 or 6 out of a package and freeze the rest with good intentions of using them later, but I n… Read More
  • MEXICAN QUINOA SKILLETA friend of mine tipped me off to this fantastic recipe at http://damndelicious.net  It provides that COMFORT FOOD taste AND … Read More
  • HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLASThis was my first attempt at homemade flour tortillas and I was "stunned and amazed" at how easy they were!! Since there is just two of us at home the… Read More
  • COLEEN's RED RICEThis recipe is one of my original recipes; it is also one that I could probably "live on" if need be (I like it just that much!!) It is my "go to" rec… Read More
  • TACO BELL RED SAUCE CLONE RECIPEI admit it, there are certain items that I really enjoy at Taco Bell. Yes, I know it's not authentic Mexican food, but when you like something, well, … Read More
  • GREEN CHILE PORK LOIN ROASTWe love this recipe, not only because it is easy and tasty, but because of it's excellent leftover possibilities. Green chile roast leftovers make gre… Read More
  • EASY ENCHILADA CASSEROLEThis is a great comfort food classic that I turned into an easy, quick fix casserole. You can easily double or triple the ingredients for a big crowd.… Read More
  • TACO SEASONINGMake your own taco seasoning!! It is simple, quick, cheap and useful for almost anything. I use it on steak fajitas, tacos, Spanish rice, chicken and … Read More
  • HEIDI's MEXICAN PORK CHOPSRecently, Heidi, from Tried-and-True Cooking With Heidi, posted a recipe for Mexican Pork Chops. I'm always searching for simple pork recipes and this… Read More
  • BAJA SAUCE (Taco Bell Clone)Taco Bell has a condiment that I adore, it is called Baja Sauce and it is cool, creamy, spicy and completely addicting (plus it is oh so easy to make)… Read More
  • CROCK POT REFRIED BEANS FOR A CROWDI have been tweaking this recipe for about a year and I finally have it just the way we like it. It is one of those great recipes that you dump everyt… Read More