Food: Beef Tacos

Oh, how we love good Mexican food here at the Lindsey abode.  We usually go out for Mexican, but we also routinely have "taco night" at home.  Recently, we tried a new recipe for beef tacos, from the wonderfully talented cooks at Southern Living.

While in the beginning phases of this recipe, Skip walked through the kitchen and reminded me that his old neighbor, P, used to make beef tacos in a similar fashion.  Uhm, P-the-Chef?  Previously-worked-at-French Laundry-P?  Currently-completing-his-10th-year-in-the-upscale-restaurant-of-a-five-diamond-hotel?

Well, no pressure there, right?  Anyrate, here's the info:

Beef Tacos

Ingredients

2lb. boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
2 cups beef broth
1 small white onion, sliced
1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
1/2 medium-size green bell pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. pepper
8 taco shells

Toppings: shredded Cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, fresh salsa.

1. Sprinkle beef with salt.

2. Cook beef in hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat 8 minutes or until browned on all sides. Remove beef, reserve drippings in Dutch oven. Add 1 Tbsp. chili powder to Dutch oven; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, and cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Add 2 cups b eef broth, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of Dutch oven. Return beef to Dutch oven and stir.

3. Place beef mixture in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add onion and next 4 ingredients. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or until beef is tender. Serve with taco shells and desired toppings.

This is a great recipe, and the beef is exceptionally tender.  Since this meal is very filling, I see this as a perfect Saturday night meal.  You prep everything Saturday morning, go about your busy day, complete with a light lunch, and then enjoy a surprisingly "big" meal for dinner.

We liked the recipe as-is. However (since we are really particular), we would likely add a prepared taco seasoning in lieu of cumin, and add a tablespoon of sugar during the third step.  We think those two additions would add an additional layer to the already good flavor.

Give it a try.