Tex Mex Soft Tacos

Has the Holiday Rush hit your town yet?

It sure has here!

For the past couple of weeks I've noticed a trend.  People are getting crazy out on the road.  Not that they aren't already crazy in LA, but man, it's getting wild around here!  There is a sort of "franticness" in the air.  People are driving crazy already, darting around, changing lanes erratically to go around other cars.  It's like driving on a nascar speedway just to go get some lunch!  The other day I was parked at the grocery store and a HUGH truck (largest I've ever seen) tried to park next to me and the woman just pulled in at a 45 degree angle blocking my car! The back end of her massive truck was literally behind my back fender.  She couldn't even get out her door, she was so close.  Then she just sat there looking at me, waiting for me to leave my car so she could slam open her door!  


And don't get me started on the mall!  Oh...my...gosh!  The mall is packed.  Let me rephrase, the mall PARKING LOT is packed.  People are honking, fighting for a spot, yelling at each other.  Heaven forbid you have to go to another level to get a spot.  This one person was waiting for a car to back out for over 15 min and you can imagine the tempers in the line of cars behind them.  To say the least parking and driving around here during the holidays is stressful!  (Oh, and once you get in the mall it's not crowded anymore!  Where do they all go? Are they all still in the parking lot?)


So let's take a poll.  Raise your hand if you haven't bought a present yet. (Hand raised!)  I'm getting stressed...I have to do some major shopping this weekend, after work, during lunch...whenever.  So when I get home I'm tired, it's late, and I'm hungry. (Boo boo face)


Need something fast and easy to make.  These tacos fit the bill.  These are a different spin on your normal "taco".   These are tex-mex in flavor and a little more messy, due to the saucier texture of the filling.  Since they are soft tacos they are quick (you don't have to mess with cooking up the shells).  The flavor is excellent! Kids will love them, your husbands and boyfriends will love them....MGG did!  He told me to put these on the "MGG loves list"!  Love those compliments.


So let's make Tex Mex Soft Tacos.


Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add your grounds beef.  Chop it up to break up the meat.  Add your chili powder, cumin, and salt.  This adds great flavor.

Next, add a can of rinsed and drained pinto beans, tomato sauce, water, and salsa.

Mash up the beans right in the skillet.  Leave some of them whole for texture.  

Bring your mixture to a boil, and then turn down the heat and simmer for about 10 min.  This should reduce your liquid and thicken the mixture.


Meanwhile heat your flour tortillas, and prepare all your taco toppings such as shredded lettuce, and cheese, sour cream, salsa, tomatoes...whatever tickles your fancy.


To assemble take your heated tortilla and place some filling down the middle toward one side of the tortilla.

Add some toppings...

Your done, super simple, fast and tasty!  Add a side salad or some Spanish rice and you have a great meal.

Dinner is served and we survived the mall for another day!

Tex Mex Soft Tacos

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Serves 6-8

1 pound ground beef

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup salsa

Flour tortillas, warmed

Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, sour cream

Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add chili powder, cumin and salt, stirring until beef crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain well.

Stir in beans, tomato sauce, 3/4 cup water, and salsa. Mash pinto beans in skillet with fork, leaving some beans whole. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced.

Serve with warmed flour tortillas and toppings.