Food Literacy Students
Ever wonder how to season ground beef for tacos without a packet of pre-mixed seasonings? This taco recipe by Feelgoodfoodie and fried taco shells recipe by Travelinginmykitchen will guide you step by step through the process using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Learning how to properly season food is a great step in learning how to cook and combat food insecurity which is prevalent among college students. In college you’re already on a tight budget! Don’t let fast food break the bank, rather learn how to cook with this money-friendly and delicious recipe.
These tacos were made with ground beef because it is a relatively cheap protein that is versatile in its use in different dishes. For a substitution, ground turkey can also be used.
Cost Breakdown
The Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Start by heating up oil in a pan. Add meat to the pan and begin cooking the meat until it is brown and no pink is showing. Once meat is cooked, drain the grease. A helpful tip is to tilt the pan, and push the meat to the side.
Next, use a paper towel to soak up the grease, and throw it away. It is important that you dispose of grease properly; do not pour down the sink, either place it in a jar to be taken out later, or put it into the trash. Draining the grease also has nutritional properties. Reducing the grease reduces calories by nine calories for every gram of fat.
Measure out seasonings, including water and tomato paste, and add to meat. Mix until well combined and thickened. Feel free to add more seasonings to create a flavor you like.
For the taco shells, using corn tortillas helps give you a more authentic feel and taste to your tacos. Corn tortillas are very flimsy and breakable. Frying them in oil helps them stay intact when you build your taco.
To begin frying tortillas, heat up about half a cup of oil in a pan. This step can be done before, during, or after you cook your meat, whatever works best in your situation. A helpful tip to know when the oil is done is to stick the end of a wooden spoon in the oil. If bubbles form around the wood, and begin to float up, then the oil is ready. If the oil is bubbling really hard then it is too hot and needs to cool down.
When oil is ready, place the tortilla into the pan and cook each side for about 5-10 seconds. Next, fold the tortilla in half and hold the top half away from the oil while the bottom half is cooked for 10-15 seconds. Flip to the other side and repeat, ensuring that the top half is being held away from the bottom half. Cook to desired crispness. Once the shell is done cooking, place on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
Cooking the tortillas like this can work for someone who is craving a soft taco and even a crunchy taco. The main purpose of this recipe is to learn to cook food that tastes good to you, so cook to your own desire of flavor and appetite.
Last step before you can build your taco is to prepare your toppings. Chop up lettuce and tomatoes, shred some cheese, and prepare any other toppings that you desire on your taco.
Now it is time to build your taco. Place your freshly fried taco shell on your plate, and fill with meat. Finish with desired toppings and pair with good company or with your favorite drink and TV show.
The best part is this meal can be refrigerated and used for a meal later in the week when you need a quick lunch before class.
Easy Ground Beef Tacos
Description
This quick and easy taco recipe by Feelgoodfoodie and fried taco shells by Travelinginmykitchen are the best recipe combo for college students on a budget who want a tasty meal after a long day of classes and homework.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any fat.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and water. Stir to combine and continue cooking over medium-low heat until the sauce has thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
- While meat is cooking, begin heating 1⁄2 cup of oil to about 350 F in another pan to fry taco shells.
- Carefully place one tortilla in the hot oil. Cook flat for 5-10 seconds on each side, using tongs.
- Grab one side of the tortilla with tongs and fold, holding top away from bottom half, cook for 10-15 seconds. Flip to the other side and repeat, ensuring that you are holding the top half away from the bottom half. Cook to desired crisp.
- When the shell is finished cooking, place in a paper towel to drain.
- Serve meat, warm, in a taco shell with desired toppings.
Notes
- Bell peppers can be added to this recipe to increase amount of vegetables and flavor.
- These tacos are best served immediately while hot.
- Corn tortillas are often seen as undesirable due to their tendency to flake easily, but once fried in oil it will hold its shape.
- You do not have to season the ground beef as it is described in the recipe, but feel free to season as desired making your own unique flavor profile. Allergies to cumin and other spices are not common but nonetheless should be kept in mind when serving to others. Ask first and then use whichever spices as desired (thyme, rosemary, etcetera).
- Allergies, personal or religious beliefs may prevent some from enjoying this recipe, but multiple substitutions can be made to make it acceptable. If one is Hindu for example, pork can be substituted for beef, or if one is Vegan, tofu can be added instead of beef and cheese can be omitted entirely. Flour tortillas can be used, but when dealing with those with Celiac’s disease or gluten intolerance, we suggest using corn tortillas. When all possible substitutions are made, this dish can be made to be Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan, and if eaten without a tortilla, Keto-friendly as well, all while preserving taste, texture, and cost.
