Supreme ground beef soft tacos
Ingredients:
Seasoned ground beef- 1 pound ground beef (90/10 or 80/20 will both work)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1⁄2 teaspoon MSG (optional but important)
- 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour (or masa harina)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice (or 1/8 teaspoon citric acid)
- 1 cup beef broth (or water)
Taco assembly
- soft flour tortillas (can also use hard tortilla shells)
- seasoned ground beef (from above)
- shredded cheddar cheese
- shredded iceberg lettuce
- diced tomato
- sour cream
Directions:
Seasoned ground beef: in a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the meat a bit with your spatula as it cooks.
After about 5 minutes, it's time to add all of your powdered seasonings. This includes the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, MSG, and cayenne pepper powder. Stir everything together while it's cooking until it's all mixed well.
Clear a spot in the middle of the pan and add the tomato paste. Cook, stirring the paste a little for at least one minute to let the paste sear a little. Then mix it in with everything else. Clear another spot in the middle of the pan and do the exact same thing with the flour (or masa). Allow the flour to cook for about 1 minute before you stir it in with the rest of the beef.
Squeeze in the lime juice and then add half of the broth. Reduce the heat to allow everything to simmer and cook for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Using a potato masher or the back side of a wooden spoon, start mashing the meat to break up the pieces of ground beef into smaller and smaller pieces while it cooks.
If the ground beef starts looking dry and the liquid has evaporated, add the rest of the broth to keep things somewhat moist.
After the meat has cooked thoroughly and the granules of the beef are broken down into tiny pieces, remove the meat to a bowl and get ready to make tacos.
Taco assembly: warm your tortillas either wrapped in a damp paper towel in the microwave or warm them briefly in a dry pan over the stove.
Add a spoonful of the ground beef and top that with a bit of shredded cheddar. Add as much shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and sour cream as you desire. Serve and enjoy.