Veronica Julep

Easy Taco Seasoning Recipe

Today is National Taco Day. This is a big holiday in my house. There isn’t much in the world that my family loves more than tacos. It’s one of those great go to meals that everyone likes and is always excited to eat. It’s nice having a few of those smiles-all-around recipes especially when it’s a simple to make one. I mean really, who doesn’t love tacos?

Read on

 

The easiest way to make this is in a mason jar plain and simple. I always use them when I am making rubs and seasonings to get the perfect blend.

First add 1 tablespoon of cumin.

Next is a 3/4 a teaspoon of chili powder well… for sensitive tongues. My littlest is not so big on spicy food so I use this small amount when I make tacos but I can say if you like spicy double this amount to 1 1/2 teaspoons of chili powder it really adds that extra oh so delicious burn. The good kind that shines through the sour cream.

1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.

1/2 teaspoon of onion powder to add perfect sweetness to the savory.


Then 1/2 teaspoon of paprika. It’s the kinder, gentler pepper powder of the pepper powder world. Growing up my Grandma C would tell us cousins that paprika was magic powder. If she sprinkled it on anything it would make it special and automatically taste good. It worked on them so I add a little of it to recipes just in case. In this one though it’s necessary to balance out the flavors.

Then the pink salt.

Voila.

Add cover and shake until everything is really well mixed. The goal is to get a lot of air in there between the granules for easier blending.

Next, the meat. In my house we prefer beef. This should be made with no less fat than 85/15. If beef is not your preference turkey or tofu make great substitutions. Use the same amount of protein as listed in the recipe below. Make sure, however, if you are using turkey or tofu to crumble it the same way I do but, add two tablespoons of oil in the pan to get a good crust and to ensure it won’t dry out.  I start by preheating the pan to little higher than medium then crumbling in little pieces around the pan.

You can do this with a fork or a spatula but, the bigger chunks you get this way makes the tacos so much better. Takes an extra minute but, so worth it.

Once the beef starts to brown on one side stir every couple minutes to brown all sides. Saute until it looks about this color. Drain some of the fat then sprinkle the seasoning all around the pan. Stir for ! minute.

Measure out 1/2 cup of broth. I like chicken broth for this recipe. Using chicken broth with the beef just adds to the depth of the riches of the flavor. Real unctuousness.

Pour into the broth into the jar the taco mix was in,  recover and shake-a shake-a to get the last little granules out of the corners and set aside.

Next move the beef  to the side and place 1 clove of minced garlic in the middle and let that cook through. It doesn’t take more than a minute or two. Stir it into the meat.

Add a teaspoon of flour. Stir well and let cook for one minute.

Add broth then bring to a boil.

When it starts to boil and look like this give a quick stir and  remove from heat.

Supper is ready.

My house is a soft flour tortilla, shredded cheese, iceberg lettuce, extra tomato and little bit of sour cream. But make it however you so desire. That’s part of the beauty of tacos everyone gets to eat them exactly how they want.

The recipe*

A little over a pound of ground beef 85 or turkey or tofu (your call)
1 tablespoon of cumin
3/4 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of chili powder
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1/4 teaspoon of salt
One clove of minced garlic
Half a cup of chicken or you’re so desired broth

 

*I buy all my spices in the bulk section and in small amounts. That way I can get the freshest spices in the market.

Thank you

And

Thank you
Happy taco day! Enjoy!

Boris Karloff’s Guacamole

Imagine my surprise when minding my own business, just waiting to clock back in from lunch and THIS image pops up on my Instagram feed (my friends are the coolest). I take a screenshot then, spend the next few hours waiting to clock out so I can make this. I’m not sure of the newspaper this came from exactly. through the research I did no one else seems to know either. I think that makes it extra intriguing. Transylvania Times? Also, judging from the photo this article ran in the 1950’s or early 1960’s, most likely. Boris Karloff’s guacamole. Yum.

Read on

 


I must say that I adore monster movies especially the ones made the first half of last century by Universal Studios so, this is by rights mind-blowing. It is odd to think of the man who is scary enough to be cast as Frankenstein’s monster or the Mummy to ya know, just cook food, especially guacamole. At the time this recipe was published in America this was VERY ethnic. Most of the country had never even heard the word. There are many wonderful parts of this article. My favorite is when it is described as “an avocado based sauce”. It’s referred to as a sauce!?! I’d go as far as topping but, sauce was the best way to describe it to the general public of the day. Also, the simple elegance of the added Sherry is lovely.
The finished dish is also lovely.

First step is to halve the avocado. As even as possible as it makes the slicing easier. Either way it will be much so don’t stress too much about this fact.

Next step, the slicing. It is important to cut as close as you can to the skin without going through. I always poke here and there but, close makes for easier removal from the skin bucket.

Same thing crosswards. Also, my favorite cooking tool is in this shot. It’s an old school wooden handled serrated knife. It’s the kind of knife my parents always used because it can cut through anything and… never needs to be sharpened.

Next step, the grand squish. I find it the easiest way to get the flesh out and BONUS it’s already mashed afterwards. It’s a win win.

Add minced onion.

Misty tomato and chili adding shot.

Add sherry. Voila. Mr. Karloff adds sherry. When I read it it seemed like dated overkill but, when I tasted it it is really a revelation. -it really is- I won’t make guacamole without it ever again. The sherry just makes everything taste more crisp and fresher. Also, at the cayenne. That with the sherry really sets it off. This is the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted. Try it for yourself.

Recipe

2 very ripe avocados

I small onion, minced

1 medium tomato chopped fine

1 tbsp of canned chopped green chilies

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp of sherry

dash of cayenne, optional

pink salt, pepper

Enjoy!

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