Homemade Taco Seasoning

I usually make this in "bulk", meaning that I multiply the recipe by 5 or 6 times. It is easy to make, stores well in a jar in the pantry, is free of preservatives, and tastes better than anything you can buy at the store.

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients:

1. 1 TBSP Chili Powder
2. 1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
3. 1/4 tsp. Onion Powder
4. 1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
5. 1 tsp. Oregano
6. 1/2 tsp. Paprika
7. 1 1/2 tsp. Cumin
8. 1 tsp. Himalayan Sea Salt
9. 1 tsp. Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients in a jar and mix. 

Baked Bean Tacos

Taco Tuesday is a cherished tradition in my house. It is also good for meal planning, as during the work week things get busy, and there isn't much time for decision making on mundane things, like what to wear, or what to make for dinner! Plus, we really love Tex-Mex food, and find it to be really accommodating to all the eating styles in our "mixed" household. And, of course, it is healthy! There are so many great taco recipes out there, and I love to experiment and try new ones out. One of our go-to standby taco recipes is a tried and true, basic bean taco, which is simple and easy to throw together. Everyone in my family loves them, even the meat eaters.

Baked Bean Tacos

Ingredients

1. 1 can refried beans, or 1 1/2 homemade
2. 1 can pinto beans, or 1 1/2 homemade
3. ½ of a small yellow onion, chopped
4. 1 can chopped green chili's
5. 1 tbsp olive oil, or water if oil  free
6. 1 7.76 oz. can chipotle sauce, medium
7. 1 tbsp taco seasoning (I prefer homemade, recipe here: http://bethshappyjoyfulfoodfulblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/homemade-taco-seasoning.html)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. In a large pan, heat olive oil, add onion. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add refried beans, pinto beans, green chilis, chipotle sauce, and taco seasoning.
4. Cook on low-medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Use bean filling in 10 taco shells
6. Place taco shells in casserole dish and cook at 400 for 10 minutes.
7. Garnish with lettuce, tomato, onion, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, etc.

Tex-Mex Month- Homemade Guacamole

I have decided that this month will be Tex-Mex month. At least for the sake of this blog, since this is my blog, and I am it's author, and probably, it's only reader, and can make such decisions! Here is Texas, Tex-Mex food is extremely popular, and many would agree that we have the best Tex-Mex in the world. I personally love it, and find it to be a easy, healthy way to feed my family. It is also accommodating to all of our different eating styles (vegan, omnivore, gluten free, etc.).

In our house, one of the things that we love best about "Taco Tuesday" is fresh, homemade guacamole. It is easy to make and healthy, with no added preservatives, artificial coloring, or other additives. Also, I am thinking that I need to invest in a camera that's NOT my phone! This was much prettier in real life...

Guacamole

Ingredients:

1. 3 large, ripe avocados
2. 2 TBSPs lemon or lime juice
3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
4. 1/3 cup purple onion, chopped
5. 1/3 cup tomato, chopped
6. 1/3 cup red pepper, seeded and chopped
7. 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
8. 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
9. Himalayan sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cut the avocados in half, and carefully remove the seed, scoop out the flesh, and put in a medium size bowl.
2. Add lemon or lime juice.
3. Coarsely mash, using a potato masher.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients.
5. Stir.