The New Taco Dinner

When I grew up (the processed food loving 80's), tacos were made from factory-farmed ground beef and an MSG loaded seasoning packet. Re-fried beans directly from a can. Only Hal, the packaging manager at the local food canning plant, knew exactly what oil went into those beans. As a private chef, the ultimate challenge is finding kid-friendly meals that parents crave, too. Those rare meals that feed the whole table are treasures, saved for the time-sensitive evenings when I need to scoot out for a movie-date with my hubby.

Like spaghetti with a great marinara sauce, tacos seem to please folks across the board. Reminiscent of everyone's childhood, tacos are interactive, which seems to promote lively conversation and a laid back atmosphere. But our taco seasoning packet ways need a little face-lift, and without too much effort, tacos can be easy and healthy. No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. (Nothing like a dirty bathwater analogy as an appetizing introduction to a recipe, right?)

So, here's your very own Homemade Taco Seasoning and Un-Fried Pinto Beans Recipes, as well as a list of standard taco toppings. Below you will see "kuzu" in the ingredient list. Kuzu is a root that is great for digestion and balancing blood sugar. It can be found in most health food stores, Whole Foods, etc. But if you have trouble spotting it, you can sub arrowroot or cornstarch. If the ratio is off, just add a little more, but make sure you whisk any thickener into water before adding it into your recipe to avoid clumps. Try kuzu though... I think you'll like it! And if you have extra save it for a day with a stomach ache, whisk the 2 T kuzu into 1 cup apple juice and put it over a medium heat, whisking constantly until it thickens. It will look a bit like pudding when ready. Let it cool slightly and eat it slowly. This is a perfect remedy for an upset stomach. It works like a charm.

Homemade Taco Meat
Ingredients
1 t unrefined coconut oil (Substitution - Butter also works brilliantly!)
1 lb grassfed ground beef (Healthy animals = Healthy YOU!)
½ cup chopped onions
1 cup sliced cremini mushrooms (optional)
2 t minced garlic
2 t paprika
2 t chili powder
2 t cumin
2 t sea salt
1/8 t pepper
Dash of Cayenne Pepper
3/4 cup water, or more if needed
2 t kuzu (See Description Above)
¼ cup water

Instructions:

Heat coconut oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add onions, mushrooms, garlic and ground beef. Saute until cooked through. Add paprika, chili powder, cumin, sea salt, pepper and cayenne. Stir until mixed through and cook for an additional 1 minute. Add water, stir to incorporate. While mixture comes back up to a simmer, combine kuzu with ¼ cup of water, whisking with a fork. When your mixture is simmering, slowly pour kuzu mixture into meat while mixing until meat liquid has thickened to your desired consistency. Taste for any additional sea salt & pepper needed, and serve!

Un-fried Pinto Beans
Ingredients:
1 can organic pinto beans, drained & rinsed really well
3 T EVOO
¼ tsp sea salt

Instructions:

Add pinto beans to the bowl of your food processor. Process, and while the motor is running drizzle in your olive oil. Remove the lid and clean off the sides with a spatula. Sprinkle sea salt over your beans. Replace the lid and run an additional 3 minutes or until mixture is very creamy. Put mixture in a small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat. Serve!

Other Taco Ideas...
Sprouted Corn or Wheat Tortillas - Add additional health to your meal with sprouted shells. Sprouted means that the grain has been soaked and literally sprouted or grown a bit. This activates the enzymes in your food and makes the grains highly digestible. My favorite brand of Sprouted Corn Tortillas is by Food for Life, and my favorite Sprouted Wheat Tortilla is Ezekiel 4:9, also by Food for Life.
Lettuce - Finely chopping or shredding Romaine is the key to "Taco-Style" lettuce.
Tomatoes - Try Heirloom! They are in season right now, and delicious!
Cheese - If you can get your hands on a Raw Milk Cheddar, that's the way to go! See Weston Price Foundation for information on Raw Milk.
Olives - Doesn't have to mean canned black olives! Find an olive bar and try something new. Make sure to pit them, chop them or slice them to make them feel like "Taco-Style" olives.
Onions - Try Red Onions, Scallions or Sweet Onions. If you are in the Southeast, definitely try Vidalia Onions!
Sour Cream - Organic is very important when it comes to Dairy Products.
Guacamole - Try homemade! Store-bought is fine too, but read your labels. If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it!
Salsa - See Guacamole's Tip!

Have fun and enjoy! If you add even just one new homemade item into your standard taco fare your family will appreciate the difference...