Wow was this ever a walk down memory lane. Years ago...too many to count, we had a drive-in restaurant. You would literally pull into a spot under their covered roof, then your server would roller blade over to your window and take your order. Yes on actual roller blades! Now, while this was technically a "burger" joint they were also famous for their root beer. So you would place your order and happily await the oh so delicious mug of root beer. Plus a secret: for a short time (not sure how long) they had the most delicious beef tacos I have ever tasted. And do you know what else I realized? They actually cooked the food. I don't mean pre-cooked and reheated. It was actually cooked on site....so this was the real deal. Back then this was considered fast food. But it really wasn't. We had to wait. And I do mean wait. I have tried many a time to replicate this recipe...but it is just not the same... sigh. That said, this recipe is pretty darn close and still pretty dang tasty if I do say so myself.
Yup, while those days are long gone...and with the current times we are now in.... we need all the happy memories we can get 🙂
1 l.b extra lean ground beef
1 156 ml can of tomato paste plus 1 -2 cans of water
1/2 a large onion - finely diced
3 minced garlic cloves
2 rounded Tblsp. chili powder - or to taste
1 Tblsp. ground garlic powder
1 heaping tsp. Cumin
1/2 tsp. smoked Paprika
salt and pepper to taste
Additions: diced tomatoes, diced romaine lettuce, salsa, guacamole, grated sharp cheddar cheese, chopped green onion
Heat up a medium sized saute pan on low/medium heat. Add the ground beef, and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook until all the pink is gone, then add in the onions, garlic and spices stirring well. Continue to cook a good 6-8 minutes or until the onion is cooked through. Add in the tomato paste and 1 can of water. Bring to a low simmer and cook, stirring from time to time and adjust the amount of water and seasonings to taste. Simmer another 20-30 min.
Serve in a heated corn taco shell with all the toppings - and if out of taco shells, nacho chips work great!
[…] night I ask...what to cook tonight?? We had tacos the night before, with this recipe here. There was about 1 cups worth of taco meat sauce left in the fridge. With the high costs of […]