Saturday, June 21, 2008

Soft Tacos


Soft tacos or wraps are one of my favorite "go-to" meals. I always have the ingredients in the house, and they are super easy to make. You can use almost anything in them that you want. Some of my favorite fillings are salsa, guacamole, cheese, sour cream or yogurt, refried beans, and sautéed veggies. In fact, the soft tacos above have all of those in them. Here is the order of how I get everything to the table while it's still hot (or cold).


Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef - Of course, I want you to use organic or naturally-raised beef.
1 1/2 T. chili powder
1/4 - 1/2 t. cayenne pepper
1 c. shredded cheese - cheddar or pepperjack are my favorites
1 c. salsa - I use our homemade salsa.
1 onion, sliced
1-2 bell peppers, sliced
1 c. guacamole
1 c. sour cream or yogurt
1 c. refried beans
2-4 tortillas, any size
  1. Wrap the tortillas in a dish towel and put in a very low (250 degree) oven. Alternatively, you can microwave them for 30 seconds.
  2. Brown the ground beef on medium-high heat.
  3. While the beef is browning, throw the onion and peppers into a skillet and sauté over medium-high heat just until they soften.
  4. Add the seasonings and turn to low. Let simmer while you prepare everything else.
  5. If you don't have prepared guacamole, take a ripe avocado and mash it with garlic salt and lime juice. Yum!
  6. When your meat and veggies are done, put everything in bowls on the table.
  7. Turn off the oven and take out the tortillas that you will be using immediately. Leave the rest in the oven to keep warm.
  8. Put a tortilla on your plate and load up! (Henry likes to use two tortillas because he always has too much filling).
Again with this dish, you can modify EVERYTHING. Don't like some of the spices? Take them out. If you like cilantro, add it! (I, personally, think it tastes like armpits). Use what's in season and adjust to your heart's content.





This dish is part of this month's Grow Your Own event launched by Andrea of Andrea's Recipes. This monthly food blogging event celebrates the foods we grow or raise ourselves.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is wrong with you??? How can you not like cilantro. It has to be one of my favorite leafy greens. It is so fragrant and delicious. I ask you to reconsider your stand on cilantro.

Sarah said...

Ugh. I am gagging just thinking about cilantro. I am sorry, but I can't do it.

Andrea Meyers (Grow Your Own) said...

People either love or hate cilantro, there is no in between. Supposedly there is an enzyme or something related that makes it taste like soap to some people (read it on Wikipedia or another place like that). Anyway, you've made one of my favorite easy meals. Always loved taco night as a kid and still do. And it always tastes better with homegrown salsa and your own beef! Thanks for joining in on Grow Your Own!

Anonymous said...

I also suggest replacing refried beans with black beans. You can leave them whole or mash them a bit. They are delicious and have wonderful health benefits. I actually left them whole the other night and used them instead of meat for a vegetarian taco.

Sarah said...

Andrea - That's interesting about the enzyme. I just assumed it was a taste thing. Here's a link to some more about that if anyone else is interested:
http://www.culinate.com/articles/features/Mixed+feelings?page=0&pageSize=1.

Sharon - I LOVE black beans. I often make my own refried beans from black beans. I wonder if I could grow some up here. Then I could post my black bean salad recipe for GYO.

NKP said...

I love soft taco for dinner, the kids do too. Even the fussy boys. Do you farm professionally or for yourself? Just curious, I am from S.O too. Great work on GYO!

Anonymous said...

My ideal type of meal (we call them wraps) as everyone can choose what they want to eat. I love the fact that you are actively doing your bit to save the planet. Bravo

Anonymous said...

PS. I love coriander / dhania / cilantro. Sorry!