Tacos, and healthier tacos

Tacos have always been a family favorite, it is always a fun dinner when these tasty bites are served.  The first recipe is fantastic and the second one is just a little healthier for those of you looking for a healthier lifestyle without giving up the goods.

Firehouse Machaca Taco Filling

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 3-1/4 cups water
• 1-1/4 pounds beef chuck
• 3/8 small onion, quartered
• 2-1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon chopped green bell pepper
• 1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon green salsa
• 1 tablespoon and 1-3/4 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1-1/4 teaspoons chopped jalapeno pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. In a stockpot, combine, water, beef and quartered onion. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer covered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until meat is very tender. Strain and reserve broth. Shred meat with 2 forks; set aside.
2. Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Saute chopped onion and bell pepper until tender. Stir in 1 cup of the reserved broth, shredded beef, salsa, cilantro and jalapenos. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until heated through.

Now for the healthier recipe

Quick and Easy Tacos

1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
3/4 teaspoon salt
Pepper
12 taco shells, 6 corn tortillas or 4 flour tortillas
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (3 ounces)
1 cup salsa
Chopped tomatoes, lettuce, and onions for toppings
1 avocado, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Cook onion and garlic in oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat about 2 minutes or until onion is tender. Add turkey; cook about 5 minutes, breaking up large pieces, until turkey is no longer pink. Add chili powder, paprika, cilantro, salt and pepper; heat until hot.

For tacos, heat taco shells in toaster oven 2 to 3 minutes or until hot. Spoon 2 tablespoons filling into each taco shell. For tortillas, microwave tortillas on High about 30 seconds each to soften. Spoon about ¼-1/3 cup filling down center of each tortilla. Top tacos or tortillas with cheese, salsa, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, avocado and sour cream. Roll tortillas around filling.

Substitution: If you don’t have seasonings on hand, you can substitute 1 envelope (1 1/4 ounces) taco seasoning mix for the garlic, chili powder, paprika, cilantro, salt and pepper. Add the taco seasoning mix with the turkey. Prepare as directed.

Healthier Spaghetti

Spaghetti is a classic dish that people love, often times a meat eaters dream and the more meat in the sauce the better.  I also like the vegetarian version you will see  below as well.  Though I have bounced back and forth from vegetarian to meat eater in the last few years and am beginning to sway back to the vegetarian side of things.  I absolutely love this vegetarian dish.

As it will always be in this recipe of the week, I will be taking a traditional dish we all enjoy and making it a little healthier.  Sometimes it is by taking the meat out of it and sometimes it will be in other ways.  Check back weekly on Saturday for a new recipe to try.

 

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 pound of italian sausage

1 large onion, cut your favorite way

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

2 cans of tomato paste

1 can of tomato sauce

4 tomotoes chopped

1 tablespoon italian seasoning

4 oz. of red wine

1 teaspoon salt

8 oz. water

salt to taste

 

Directions

Brown the beef and sausage heavy bottomed pot, then drain off the fat. Add the onion, green pepper, and garlic and saute until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, seasonings, and water. Simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool. The sauce will keep for several days covered and refrigerated. Serve with spaghetti or your favorite pasta.

 

VEGETARIAN 

Ingredients 

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 pound of italian sausage

1 large onion, cut your favorite way

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

2 cans of tomato paste

1 can of tomato sauce

4 tomotoes chopped

1 tablespoon italian seasoning

4 oz. of red wine

1 teaspoon salt

8 oz. water

salt to taste

 

 

Directions

Add the onion, green pepper, and garlic and saute in a heavy bottomed pan until the onion is tender, in a  about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, seasonings, and water. Simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool. The sauce will keep for several days covered and refrigerated. Serve with spaghetti or your favorite whole-wheat pasta.