This is what it looks like when my kids eat their vegetables. They are only eating them because they don't resemble vegetables! In order to get my very picky kids to eat anything healthy it has to be disguised. (I know this method has it's critics who think kids should learn to just eat veggies, but I would rather keep my kids healthy and strong while they are learning to reason. I enjoy meal times, and want my kids to enjoy them too.)
Taco Meat
1 1/2 to 2 Lbs. of ground beef
1 medium onion
2 cloves of garlic (pictured looks like more because these were tiny)
2 cans of pinto beans
1 cup mild salsa (whatever you prefer)
Taco seasoning* to taste (about 2 T., but I taste and see if it needs more)
1 T. butter
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1/2 +1T of water
*I make my own taco seasoning. I'll post the recipe at the end
Since my kids are super picky, I grind everything up. This is how I do it:
-Put onion and garlic in a food processor and chop until it's practically a paste. If needed, add a Tablespoon of water to make it process easier.
-Fry the chopped onion and garlic in the Tablespoon of butter until it is browning. (If you added a T. of water it will evaporate, but may take a couple extra minutes to brown.)
-once onion and garlic are starting to brown, add ground beef and brown that.
-while the meat is browning, put the pinto beans and the salsa in the food processor and mix together until it resembles re-fried beans.
-add taco seasoning and a half cup of water to the browned meat.
_add the bean and salsa mixture
-simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the consistency is to your liking.
-Taste it, and add salt, pepper, or more taco seasoning as needed.
1 1/2 to 2 Lbs. of ground beef
1 medium onion
2 cloves of garlic (pictured looks like more because these were tiny)
2 cans of pinto beans
1 cup mild salsa (whatever you prefer)
Taco seasoning* to taste (about 2 T., but I taste and see if it needs more)
1 T. butter
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1/2 +1T of water
*I make my own taco seasoning. I'll post the recipe at the end
Since my kids are super picky, I grind everything up. This is how I do it:
-Put onion and garlic in a food processor and chop until it's practically a paste. If needed, add a Tablespoon of water to make it process easier.
-Fry the chopped onion and garlic in the Tablespoon of butter until it is browning. (If you added a T. of water it will evaporate, but may take a couple extra minutes to brown.)
-once onion and garlic are starting to brown, add ground beef and brown that.
-while the meat is browning, put the pinto beans and the salsa in the food processor and mix together until it resembles re-fried beans.
-add taco seasoning and a half cup of water to the browned meat.
_add the bean and salsa mixture
-simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the consistency is to your liking.
-Taste it, and add salt, pepper, or more taco seasoning as needed.
Trust me, it tastes better than it looks, and the kids eat ACTUAL NUTRIENTS! In our house that is cause for celebration!
<Here is a freebie tip from when I slung tacos for a summer job: Put the taco meat in hard shells using a frosting spatula and smooth the meat all up one side of the shell. That way you are sure to get meat in every bite. Enjoy!>
*I make my own taco seasoning because of an MSG sensitivity. This is the recipe that I use
Taco Seasoning
1 T. salt
6 tsp. onion powder
6 tsp chili powder
5 tsp paprika
5 tsp cumin
2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
<Here is a freebie tip from when I slung tacos for a summer job: Put the taco meat in hard shells using a frosting spatula and smooth the meat all up one side of the shell. That way you are sure to get meat in every bite. Enjoy!>
*I make my own taco seasoning because of an MSG sensitivity. This is the recipe that I use
Taco Seasoning
1 T. salt
6 tsp. onion powder
6 tsp chili powder
5 tsp paprika
5 tsp cumin
2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper