Many recipes call for a packet of taco seasoning. The problem? Those packets are mostly salt and frequently contain MSG. I came up with this recipe to test my own taco seasoning recipe. I think it was pretty successful. While I used beef, this would work well with just about any type of meat. I spent about $14 on beef, sour cream, garlic, an onion, peppers, cilantro, and a lime.
EQUIPMENT:
Large skillet
Rice cooker
INGREDIENTS:
T Tbsps cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp dry marjoram (crushed)
1 Tbsp parsley flakes (crushed)
3/4 Tbsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
few grates fresh nutmeg (1/8 tsp ground)
1/4 tsp cocoa powder *
1-2 lbs brisket, cubed (1/4-1/2" pieces)
1 sweet onion, chopped finely
5 cloves garlic, chopped finely
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
3 yellow banana peppers, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 Tbsps olive oil
1 12 oz. bottle beer **
2 cups uncooked rice
1/4 C chopped fresh cilantro
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste
HOW TO:
Taco Seasoning:
Combine cumin, chili powder, marjoram, parsley, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg & cocoa powder. This will make more than is needed for this meal, just save the rest for next time.
Rice:
Cook rice according to your rice cooker's directions.
When done, mix in cilantro and lime juice.
Meat:
Heat oil in skillet over medium heat.
Add peppers and a pinch of salt and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add onions, garlic, another pinch of salt, and cook until translucent.
Add beef, 2 Tbsps taco seasoning, a pinch of salt, and cook until browned on all sides.
Add beer and bay leaves.
Simmer, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Roll rice, meat, sour cream, cheese, and any other desired accompaniments into a burrito, stuff into taco shells, place atop a salad, or whatever else you might come up with.
Music for this episode was "Battling the Robot Overlords of Chiron Beta Prime" from The Hybiscus Journals' release, "The Adventures of Starship Jeffica". Download it for free or whatever you think it's worth at http://thehybiscusjournals.bandcamp.com/album/the-adventures-of-starship-jeffica
* Yes, cocoa powder seems like an odd choice, but as I was perusing ingredient lists on various seasoning packets, I saw that some of them included this so I thought I'd give it a go.
** Don't want to use beer? Substitute 12 ounces of beef, chicken, or vegetable stock. Water will even work in a pinch. For the curious, I used Killian's Irish Red.
EQUIPMENT:
Large skillet
Rice cooker
INGREDIENTS:
T Tbsps cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp dry marjoram (crushed)
1 Tbsp parsley flakes (crushed)
3/4 Tbsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
few grates fresh nutmeg (1/8 tsp ground)
1/4 tsp cocoa powder *
1-2 lbs brisket, cubed (1/4-1/2" pieces)
1 sweet onion, chopped finely
5 cloves garlic, chopped finely
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
3 yellow banana peppers, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 Tbsps olive oil
1 12 oz. bottle beer **
2 cups uncooked rice
1/4 C chopped fresh cilantro
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste
HOW TO:
Taco Seasoning:
Combine cumin, chili powder, marjoram, parsley, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg & cocoa powder. This will make more than is needed for this meal, just save the rest for next time.
Rice:
Cook rice according to your rice cooker's directions.
When done, mix in cilantro and lime juice.
Meat:
Heat oil in skillet over medium heat.
Add peppers and a pinch of salt and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add onions, garlic, another pinch of salt, and cook until translucent.
Add beef, 2 Tbsps taco seasoning, a pinch of salt, and cook until browned on all sides.
Add beer and bay leaves.
Simmer, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Roll rice, meat, sour cream, cheese, and any other desired accompaniments into a burrito, stuff into taco shells, place atop a salad, or whatever else you might come up with.
Music for this episode was "Battling the Robot Overlords of Chiron Beta Prime" from The Hybiscus Journals' release, "The Adventures of Starship Jeffica". Download it for free or whatever you think it's worth at http://thehybiscusjournals.bandcamp.com/album/the-adventures-of-starship-jeffica
* Yes, cocoa powder seems like an odd choice, but as I was perusing ingredient lists on various seasoning packets, I saw that some of them included this so I thought I'd give it a go.
** Don't want to use beer? Substitute 12 ounces of beef, chicken, or vegetable stock. Water will even work in a pinch. For the curious, I used Killian's Irish Red.
