Happy National Taco-ish Day
Spicy. Beef. Bowl.
Because, sometimes, a spicy beef bowl is so necessary and so simple to put together on a Thursday night after long day of work. I’m still working, who are we kidding because having 3 jobs ain’t easy. Being single means you can work all night if you don’t give yourself a time to stop and working from home means you do this in comfortable leggings, but then you may look down and realize you haven’t changed pants in two days or you catch a fearful glimpse in the mirror - one that reveals smudged mascara and sorta jacked up hair.
I digress.
Today is National Taco day and, sure, this isn’t a taco - but this spicy beef bowl can be stuffed between a soft flour tortilla or between a hard corn shell. It was made with a combo of my freezer, fridge and pantry staples - which are always a late dinner time saver. Way faster than take out wait times and healthier too. This meal also takes only one pan to prep and one bowl to serve. Or one plate, a plate, if you’re plating tacos and honoring the day as such.
So, I might have used three bowls. Tina three bowls. I had leftover guacamole in a tupperware and then I made my own salsa with some tomatoes that were dying in a bowl next to my acorn squash. But, you know, Paul Newman, Old El Paso, Brads Organic and Tostitos make a great salsa too and you’ll have no extra bowl to clean up! The guac, make the guac, don’t buy that refrigerated crap. You can manage to have an avocado, onion and a lime or lemon in your home. I know you can.
A spicy beef bowl (or taco) filling is easy enough to make night of - but can also be assembled earlier on (like on your meal prep Sunday if you dig that life) and enjoyed all week long.
The below serves 4, and, often times, because I freeze all of my meat in 4-5 oz portions, I’ll defrost a single serving and make it for myself - one and done.
Remember, it is possible to have fun and cook for one; or you can plan bigger portions and eat throughout the week to see what else happens with your leftovers.
The extras here make for great: tacos, collard wrap stuffing, add a grain to make a burrito or a another bowl, create a fruit based salsa or guac to play on different flavors and make a new meal to please your palette.
Now, what are you waiting for! Get in the kitchen!
XO
Pat of butter, drizzle of olive oil in the pan
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
Sauté until onions are translucent
1 lb ground beef
Cumin, chili powder, cayenne, tomato paste
Once meat is cooked through add 1/2 c. of rinsed canned black beans and a 1/2 c. of canned corn
Mix it, mix it good
Toss on top of greens and top with guacamole and salsa
Stuff in a taco or in a tortilla
Choose your own adventure