As children, we always got to choose our birthday dinner, and this was my choice, year in year out. The year I was fourteen, I ate seven. It was rarely less than five. Mmmm, mmm, mmm.
My mother’s recipe–simple and fantastic, especially excellent if you want to impress a guy. Not fancy and he’ll feel very well-tended. They are, without question, my favorite tacos in the world, thanks to addition of the beans, and the soft, not crisp, tortillas.
1 lb ground beef or turkey (or tofu, I’m sure)
1 onion, chopped
1 15 oz can chile beans (pintos)
1 taco seasoning packet (I’m partial to Lawry’s)
1/2 head shredded iceberg lettuce
2-3 chopped tomatoes
Shredded colby cheese
12 corn tortillas
Vegetable oil
Brown the meat with the onions. Add the beans and taco seasoning packet according to directions. Let simmer.
Shred the lettuce, chop the tomatoes. Set the table. Turn on the oven to 200.
To fry the tortillas: get an oven-proof plate or pan ready and cover the botton with a paper towel. In a heavy skillet, heat about an inch of vegetable oil until very hot but not smoking. Test with the edge of a tortilla–the oil should bubble around it. Using metal tongs, dip a tortilla in the oil for just a few seconds and turn it over, then pull it out and drop it flat on the paper towel. Repeat, layering new paper towels on top of the tortillas. (It takes a little bit of practice, but don’t lose hope.)
Serve with whatever condiments you like–guacamole or sour cream or pico de gallo. I like them straight—and there is a particular layering system I like: cheese, meat, lettuce, tomato so the cheese will melt, but CR likes to put sour cream on his and that goes first.
Did you have a birthday dinner ritual when you were a child?
We went to Red Lobster every year for my birthday and Mexico Chiquito for my brother’s.
My mother cooked every night on a regular basis, so birthday dinners were out on the town.
Thanks for the recipe…very timely since we’re having tacos for dinner Sunday!
Just got home from a HUGE Mexican dinner. YUM Thanks for the recipe
Birthday – when I was growing up, it was Red Velvet Cake. Now, Mom has bought me an Italian Creme Cake every year for the last 10 or so. Always.
The meals varied, but the cake is the same.
My mom cooked every night, too, but we only went out like seven times. (Slight exaggeration, but not much. )
Red Velvet cake, mmmm. I keep saying I’m going to find a recipe.
Comfort food….gotta love it.
hehe, I STILL have A Birthday Dinner! The recipe is called Saucy Pork Chops, and my mom would not let me see what was in it until I was an adult–as a kid I was such a picky eater, she knew it wouldn’t be my favorite any more if I saw her mixing the cream of chicken soup, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce to pour over the chops.
Now my husband cooks for me every year. for me, this is the pure taste of love.
I’m so glad you make the homemade shells too – they’re so bendy and crisp and warm and better than anything you can get out of a box or the microwave. But in my family, we do it with a fork and our fingers!
Mm-mm-mm-MMMMMMM!!! Thanks for the recipe, I’m going to try it tomorrow. Here’s one to try: cook a turkey burger and “butter” one slice of bread with avocado and the other with lavender honey. Oh. My. God!
Lavender honey? Oh, my.
Andrea, I used to use a fork, but always tore the tortillas. I love my little tongs so much!