The Messier The Better

My mother is visiting us this week from Texas and she's been cooking up a storm. She's Mexican and man, can she make traditional mexican food like nobody's business. One of my husband's requests this week was for her to make tacos!

I tried taking notes while she was cooking, but after the 5th pinch of cumin and asking Mom "how much do you think that was, a quarter teaspoon?", I gave up and just enjoyed the process. So here is what I've learned about taco making...

1. Use very lean ground beef (we used 2 lbs of - makes enough for 4-6 people)

2. Shred your own cheese (we used chedder, but monterey jack is good too)

3. Fry your own tortilla shells. This is huge! (use white corn tortillas, a little bit of canola oil in the pan and with a tong, fry one half of the tortilla while holding the other side - bending it in half - repeat with the other side. Set aside on a paper towel. Keep warm.)

To season the ground beef:

Saute some yellow onion (we used 1/2 of a large Vidalia) and mix with the ground beef.

(This is all just by "taste")

Cumin

Paprika

Oregano

Garlic (powder is fine)

Cilantro

Onion powder

Cayenne

Salt & pepper

Mix in your favorite salsa (we use 1/2 container of Newman's)

Stuff shells with beef, cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, and top with salsa. YUM!