Frugal Fiesta Day!

We had spaghetti for dinner tonight....I had to get up to church early for handbell choir, and as such had to make something quickly and easily. However, yesterday we had a frugal fiesta here at the Eddy's....TACOS!

No, don't buy the kits...those are expensive. ;)

I don't make my own taco shells either---not quite so from scratch around here! (does anyone make their own? I'd be interested in hearing about it)

I have found that buying taco shells from my handy dandy bulk food place helps keep the price of tacos down (25 shells for just $1.89, or just $0.08 each.)Sometimes, when taco shells are on sale, they can be quite affordable too.

The other ingredients we need: 1 lb of ground beef or turkey (cost between $0.99-1.69, depending on sales), 1 can of tomato sauce ($0.43), 1 can of tomato paste ($0.20), oregano, thyme, onion soup mix (purchased in bulk--1 lb for $2.39--I only need 1 T of that), cilantro, coriander, cumin, paprika, ground red pepper.....You could also just use chili powder in lieu of all of those spices, but don't leave out the T of onion soup mix :-), 1 onion ($0.22), lettuce ($0.30), tomato (from garden), cheese (about $1.30 worth), Sour cream (about $.75 worth) and any other toppings. I also use 2 c. of refried beans (instructions follow), made from some of the 50 pound bag of refried beans I bought at the bulk food place for just $12.00.

Begin by making the filling: I use a cast iron skillet (you could use any other heavy bottomed skillet, and begin to saulte 1 diced onion, with all of the spices (except the onion soup mix), until the onion is lightly browned, and add the ground meat. Brown the meat. Drain off any grease. Pour in 1 can of tomato sauce and 1 can of tomato paste, plus 1T of onion soup mix. I also add 1 cilantro ice cube (fresh cilantro, minced and then frozen into ice cube trays to keep it fresh).



to make refried beans, purree 2 c. of cooked pinto or black beans, along with 1 onion, some minced garlic, chili powder, and a pinch of salt. heat a heavy skillet or cast iron skillet, add just enough oil to keep it from sticking, and begin to cook the bean puree over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Season to taste.

If you plan to make tacos more than once in a blue moon, it may be a good idea to buy some of these cool little taco shell holders. They usually have them hanging up in the same aisle as the taco shells in the grocery store.



To put some sour cream into the taco shells, put it into a freezer bag, and cut off a corner of the bag, using it as a pastry bag, to squeeze the sour cream into your tacos. Plain yogurt may also be used.



The kids like to help decorate the tacos, so there is no shortage of helpers....I usually have them lined up, assembly line style---one doing the sour cream, one doing the meat sauce and refried beans, one doing the lettuce, one doing the other toppings.