Thursday, May 31, 2012

Beef Tacos


I can't believe I've never blogged about our favorite taco meat recipe! This America's Test Kitchen recipe is very similar to the one I grew up eating as a kid. This kind of taco meat is nice and saucy, with just a hint of spice, and you won't believe how quick it is to make. We like to make the Test Kitchen's refried beans to go with it.

Beef Tacos
adapted from The America's Kitchen Family Cookbook
serves 4

Notes: I've discovered that the quickest way to mince onions is to use a food processor. Peel and quarter the onion, then pulse in the processor, stopping to scrape the sides every 3-4 pulses. Just make sure that when you open the lid, for the love of god, DON'T stick your face over the opening, unless you want a face full of eye-burning onion fumes.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt
1 pound (90 percent lean) ground beef
1/2 cup smooth canned tomato sauce (8-ounce can)
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
8 taco shells

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the garlic, spices, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Add the ground beef. Cook for about 5 minutes or so, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink. Stir in the tomato sauce, broth, vinegar, and sugar. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until thickened. Taste and season salt to taste.

Divide the filling evenly among the taco shells. Top with cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes (or whatever toppings you like).


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Summer BBQ Recipes

Since Memorial Day weekend is coming up, I thought I'd post a little round-up of some of my favorite summer recipes from the past couple of years on this blog. There's a lot of great grilling recipes here, as well as several side dishes that would be perfect to make for a BBQ or bring along to a picnic. 

Depending on where you live, not all of these ingredients may be in season just yet, but at least they give you some ideas for the summer months ahead!

Just click on the photo to go to the recipe!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Nacho Cheese Sauce


Wondering why my posts have been few and far between?

It's NOT because I've lost interest in blogging about food. I've just been too tired to photograph and write about what I've been eating.

In fact, my interest in food has become all-consuming as of late. I don't know for sure if what I have been feeling are cravings, but I will borrow the words of my friend Sarah when I say that these days I am "very susceptible to suggestion". If I see an ad for a food, or someone tells me about a food, chances are, I'm going to need to find a way to buy or make that food soon, because I won't be able to stop thinking about it until I do. And when I do eat that particular food, it will be the best (insert-name-of-food-here) that I've ever had. It's like all my taste buds are heightened and my usual obsession with food has been taken to the next level.

To illustrate my point, the woman who rang up my groceries at the Co-op told me about a tuna sandwich she made that sounded so fantastic I made it myself the very next week. It was just plain tuna, but she added a slice of smoked mozzarella and topped it with a quick slaw made out of just kale and apple cider vinegar. It was incredible!

I haven't been eating any weird food combinations like pickles and ice cream or anything like that, but lately I've been going for things that I never used to eat very often, like chicken Caesar salad, tuna sandwiches, cottage cheese and pineapple, and orange juice. I even had a Pepperoni Hot Pocket the other day (now there's a blast from the past which I hope does not become a regular occurrence. They used to be my breakfast almost every day in high school). Strawberry lemonade has become a new obsession as well.

Have you picked up on my little hints? Well, here's a big hint that explains my lack of posts and sudden extreme obsession with food.


Yep, that's right, we're having a baby! I'm so excited to finally share this news on my blog. I'm about 4 months along now, so that means we'll get to meet this little one sometime in mid-October. I'm officially taking suggestions for adorable Halloween costumes for a two-week old infant.

So why am I posting about nacho cheese sauce?

Well, that's been another favorite food lately. My workplace is a mere five minute stroll from the university dining hall where they serve up huge portions of delicious nachos, covered in that classic oh-so-good-for-you cheese sauce. For awhile there in the first trimester I went ventured over to get my nacho fix once a week, but after a few weeks of that I decided I wanted to try to make my own cheese sauce at home, so I could control my portions better and know exactly what was in the sauce itself. As it turns out, making nacho cheese sauce is just like making any other kind of cheese sauce - easy. This is actually really delicious served over steamed mixed vegetables as well!


Nacho Cheese Sauce
adapted from - Kitchen Simplicity

4 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk, divided
2 teaspoons hot sauce
Salt to taste

In a medium saucepan, toss together the cheeses and cornstarch until evenly coated. Add 1 cup of the milk, the hot sauce, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until thickened and smooth. Once it's hot and bubbling, check the consistency and add more milk if you'd like it thinner. Otherwise, taste and season with more salt if needed, and serve immediately. 
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...