Crazy Taco Night!

Okay so today was a very busy day at work. Started out with non-stop conference calls and TONS of configuration work right up to 5 pm! I still have a late night conference call tonight, as well as a host coaching call with a hostess of an upcoming party (excited about that one!).

This is why I was so thankful to have had an easy meal to throw together the WAHM way.

TACOS!

I had done my diligence earlier when I bought some ground beef on sale last month. I found some ground beef at $1.79/lb which is a STEAL here in North IL. On the day I brought the meat home I split it up into hamburgers (to which I sprinkled in some worstechester and Pepper Pizzaz seasoning) and froze them in patties. I also cooked up another batch into taco meat and then I simply just wrapped up some untouched meat for random quick dinners during the month. I had about 9 lbs of meat total.

Well I saved my taco meat in 2-3 cup portions and labeled it in a freezer bag and just had it hanging around. So when I did my meal planning this week I simply shopped my freezer. So I added tortillas to my shopping list, along with fresh lettuce, a tomato and I already had some frozen shredded cheese on hand. I also grabbed an 8 oz can of tomato sauce to make my mexican rice (a yummy recipe from my best friend). I also grabbed ingredients to make the Cinnamon Sopapillas for dessert, hubby's favorite!

Let's look at the WAHM way to cook this:

At a break or lunch:

• Cut lettuce - place in bag back in fridge
• Chop tomatoes - place in container back in fridge
• Set out the rice (you could even measure out the cup!)
• Set out the tomato sauce
• Set out the tortillas
• Set out the cream cheese
• Set out the chicken broth (or bullion cubes)
• chop onions (if using, I have mine already chopped in the freezer)

This way when I get home from the rush from pickups at daycare I just start dinner in the following way:

1. Start the Rice
2. While rice is cooking take out taco meat from freezer
3. Heat taco meat in microwave
4. Set out lettuce, tomatoes and cheese
5. Set table
6. Heat tortillas in microwave
7. Serve and enjoy!

Recipes:

Taco Soup Seasoned Beef

Mexican Rice

• 1 cup uncooked long grain rice
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 T oil
• 2T chopped onions
• 1 t garlic salt
• 1/2 t cumin
• 2 cups chicken broth (I made mine with bullion cubes)
• 2-3 T Taco Soup Seasoning (or Chicken Enchilada Soup or Tortilla Soup Seasoning)

Saute rice in medium sauce pan in oil until puffed and white. Add onion and cook until tender. Sprinkle seasonings over top and cook 1 minutes. Add tomato sauce and broth, bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 20-25 minutes until tender and all liquid is absorbed. Serve!

To order product visit http://www.homemadegourmet.com/deenacannistraci