Classed-up Simple Beef Tacos!

I can't tell you how many times in college I browned up some hamburger meat, threw some packaged seasoning in it and lopped it on a tortilla with cheese.  I called that a taco back then.  

So instead I'm going to show you how to make some badass legit tacos right?.  Actually no.  Crafting a sweet street taco that will throw a fiesta in your mouth all night long isn't for everyone.  A lot of people just want plain old ground beef tacos.  But anyone can class-up a simple taco by following these easy steps.  

Get yourself some ground beef at the local grocery, preferably 80/20 or leaner.  You'll need a yellow onion and some garlic to throw in with that beef while it's browning.  Grab your favorite taco seasoning mix off the shelf and stick it directly in your pocket.  You're an embarrassment to the cooking community and don't you forget it.  Finally grab a tomato, some cilantro, a lime and an avocado from the produce section.

Chop the onion and garlic and add it to a large frying pan over medium high heat. 

Tear the beef into small pieces and add it to a pan.  Shake a little salt and pepper over the meat and stir occasionally.  

When most of the meat is brown you'll want to drain the excess water and grease into a jar/container to throw in the trash.  Never strain the drain by pouring grease down it!

While your beef is browning, go ahead and chop your cilantro, tomato, lime and avocado.  Try not to be as forgetful as me…I left the avocado in the grocery bag and didn't discover this until I was already done eating.

Put them into little serving bowls if you're going for a Better Homes and Gardens look.  Remember, we're going for class here people!

I like black beans with my Mexican and I had already cooked some earlier in the week.  Cooking dried beans is cheaper and allows you to season however you prefer to…but it takes planning and time.  

You have to soak the beans overnight in the fridge and then simmer them for a few of hours the next day.  These I seasoned with garlic, cumin, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and bacon. 

Or you could just buy them in a can…Hell you're already using a packaged taco mix…

Either way, you'll need to pop them in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

Let the meat get good brown and crispy.  Then mix the taco seasoning according to the directions on the package, and stir into the meat.

Slap a couple of store bought tortillas on a plate and cover them with a damp paper towel.  Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute.  

(You could also make your own home-made tortillas by visiting my second blog post and following the directions.)  

Slap some of the beef onto the tortilla with cheese, then top with the chopped tomato, cilantro, avocado and squeeze a lime wedge over it.  You can even add a dollop of salsa if you'd like.

Result:  Some bomb-ass tacos that aren't necessary authentic but look and taste much better than the poor college version that you still might be cooking today. Yay!  

Thanks to Ary Collier for making these one night and delivering me from my super lazy taco ways.