Recipe Wednesday

Today's recipe is adapted from Suzanne Somers' Eat Great, Lose Weight. It's a recipe for taco seasoning, but I also like to use it on chicken when I want a southwestern flavor.

1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp salt (or less, if desired)
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

This amount is good for a pound of ground beef, but you can easily double or triple it and keep it in an old spice container so you have some on hand to sprinkle on chicken breasts. When I put it on chicken, I like to first splash the chicken with a little lime juice. Then I sprinkle on the seasoning and cook the chicken on my George Foreman grill.

To make taco meat:
1. Heat 1T canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add about 1/4 to 1/2 of an onion, chopped, and let it cook for about 3 or 4 minutes. Then add a couple of cloves of garlic, minced.

2. Turn the heat up and add a pound of ground beef. Brown the meat and drain the excess fat. Rinse the meat and drain the water to remove more fat (if desired).

3. Place pan back over medium heat and add the taco seasoning blend. Add a 6 oz can of tomato paste and about a cup of water. Mix it all up, bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.

Use the meat in tacos or taco salad.

Or, you could mix the raw ground beef, 1 egg, taco seasoning, chopped onion and garlic and shape into 4 burgers. Cook the burgers and then top with cheese and salsa for taco burgers.

I really prefer making tacos with this seasoning blend instead of the stuff that comes in a packet! And you can add more cayenne if you like it a little more spicy. I've never used it on fish, but probably would be good there too. Have fun experimenting!