This is a super yummy way to get more grains and beans into your diet. Use ground meat of choice; beef, chicken, turkey, venison or buffalo. And bean of choice; pinto, black, kidney, anasazi (recommended for beginner bean users because of the texture and is more easily broken down ie less gassy) or pink (cooking chart). Grains, beans and vegetables are all so, so easily interchangeable, so if you don't have on hand what the recipe calls for just substitute. I also hid some zucchini (could also do spinach) can you find it? 
It is great to have your own spice mixes made up for ease of use. The store bought packets are handy, but are overpriced and contain lots of gross filler...and salt...and sugar. You can use already ground spices and mix them together if you don't have a spice grinder. The flavors are cleaner when you grind your own, so consider it. NOTE: Do NOT put the entire recipe for the spice mix in one batch of taco meat. My sister in law made this mistake and boy, did it have some kicked up flavor. It is intended to make things easier on you so it is all ready to use the next time. Use this mixture in taco's, burritos, on salads, nachos, or cold as a snack like my kids do--weirdos. Great in corn or flour tortillas.1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, minced
1 small bell pepper, diced
1 medium zucchini, grated
3 garlic cloves, pressed
3 tablespoons homemade seasoning*
½ lb. extra lean ground meat
2 cups cooked beans
2/3 cup corn
1 cup cooked red quinoa
1 cup cooked millet
1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 teaspoons sucanat
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Salt to taste
Sautee onion and pepper in olive oil. Add zucchini, garlic and spices, cook for 1 minute. Add meat and brown. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer about 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened.
*Spice mix
½ cup fiesta chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin seed
1 tablespoon whole coriander
2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
½ teaspoon black pepper
Grind all spices except the fiesta chili powder in a spice grinder, mix thoroughly.
Now, looking for a great salsa recipe?
Can't wait to try this one! I am off to buy the spice grinder tomorrow. One of the few toys I don't have for the kitchen. Love the new header!
ReplyDeleteWe had tacos last night too (rare for me to make). I did add beans, but next time will sneak zucchini in too. What a great idea!
ReplyDeletePS, you look great in your new header.
yum. i am totally going to try it. ruby has developed a love for tacos
ReplyDeletei was wondering, have you ever made taco casserole? its so yummy. you just put everything you would put in regular tacos ( except the lettuce, sour cream and guac) and crunch up the taco shells layer everything with cheese and diced tomatoes, ( salsa and/or tomato sauce) and bake.
the end result is a warm enchilada like consistency. that you can put over a bed of lettuce with freshly sauteed carrots,onion,and zuchini, a dollop of sour cream and guac.
i would love to know your take on this.
Jill, sounds like a great meal. Jarom says his mom used to make something like that. Something about taco seasoning makes it so easy to throw what ever you want together and it comes out tasting great!
ReplyDeletewould this krups grinder thing be the same thing as a Mr. Coffee coffee grinder? I couldn't find the krups anywhere...wonder if it's comparable
ReplyDeletei found sucanat at Sprouts...you probably already know that though. I think you recommended another source for sucanat in another recipe...is there a difference where you purchase it or is it all basically the same? (i am new to your blog and love it and all the great info, so I apologize for all my crazy questions! i'm a fan already!)
ReplyDeleteYes, Mr. Coffee will work lovey. Just make sure you are not using it to grind coffee beans after spices or you will have some funky coffee!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Sprouts carried sucanat. Is it in the bulk or grocery section? It should all be the same. So glad to help you navigate through the crazy wilderness of healthy cooking.
it was over by the packaged sweeteners in the grocery section, in a ziptop bag package. the worker had no idea they even carried it...kinda a fluke, but I was glad to find it there and not have to make another trip somewhere else!
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness...so I made this last night, a little leary after my meatball experience, and I tweaked it a little. I doubled the meat (maybe a big no-no, but figured it was better than all meat and no grains and beans), didn't use zucchini, but chopped up some spinach and added that, left the beans out and served black beans on the side. Kids made a couple comments, like they like my chicken tacos better, but when hubby got home from meetings after church and ate, he said it was the best and he couldn't get enough...ate like four of them! YEAH!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about adding the grains right into the tacos, and I need some uses for the millet I bought and don't know what to do with!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the first October Fest Carnival of Super Foods! Next week’s theme is broth/stock. Hope to see you back!
Katie
PS - Please add the link to the carnival in your post.
i made this for dinner the other night and my husband is still raving about it. he loved it! i used the leftover quinoa and millet in a green salad the next day and it was so yummy. thanks for all the amazing recipes!
ReplyDeletei made this for dinner last night...and LOVED it...AND my kids all helped to make it...so they knew what was in it! ha!!! and they still liked it, EVEN BETTER!!! gonna try your fish tacos soon...thanks for all your info:)
ReplyDelete