MEXICAN STARTER

1 lb. ground beef
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste (plus 3 cans water)
1 jar salsa, mild or hot,
1 or 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped coarsely
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 green bell peppers, cored and chopped
1-1/2 or 2 tsp. Ortega Taco Seasoning
½ tsp. oregano
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar

Brown the ground beef in olive oil with chopped onions, adding the peppers and garlic half way through. When the beef has browned and vegetables have softened, add the tomato paste with water to thin it out (or thin it with vegetable broth). Stir in the jar of salsa, taco seasoning, oregano, and sugar. Simmer for 30-45 minutes on LOW heat

This may also be prepared in the slow cooker. As a variation, ground pork may be added. The recipe may be doubled, tripled, etc. to any proportion either to feed a crowd or to fill the freezer with serving size portions.

There are many ways’s to serve this versatile starter; some suggestions follow.

1. MEXICAN BUFFET; Fill a serving bowl and surround it, buffet style, with side dishes of favorite toppings, such as sour cream, chopped tomatoes, chopped avocados, shredded lettuce, minced onion, salsa, shredded cheese, etc. Give each guest a taco shell, burrito wrapper or even a pita bread and allow them to build their own serving.

2. Serve on sub rolls, topped with shredded cheese. Broil on high heat several minutes until cheese melts. Serve with a side of chopped jalapenos for optional topping.

2. Serve over rice, pasta or noodles.

3. Use as a topping for nachos. In a buttered casserole or baking pan, place tortilla chips or wedges of tortilla wrappers, topped with meat mixture and cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with jalapeno rings. Bake at 375^ until cheese melts.

4. MEXICAN STUFFED PEPPERS: Combine with an even portion of cooked rice. Fill large red or green bell peppers and bake at 350^ until peppers are tender.

5. CHILI:  Add 2 cans red beans (or 1 lb. dry pinto bean, cooked). Taste and adjust seasonings.

6. MEXICAN SLOPPY JOE: Serve in a hamburger bun with a side of ketchup or barbecue sauce. Top with onion slices browned in butter

7. MEXICAN SHEPHERD’S PIE: Pre bake a pie shell for 10 minutes. Fill with meat mixture between 2 tortillas and top with mashed potatoes. Bake at 350^ for 30 minutes or until potatoes are slightly golden but not brown.

8. QUESADILLAS: Sandwich a few tablespoons mixture between 2 tortillas and mark or press into wedges. Heat in a covered skillet, or bake on a foiled line pan in a 450^ oven for 3-5 minutes. Slice wedges into individual servings.

9. BURRITO LASAGNA: Fill 10-inch tortillas with meat mixture and top with shredded cheese. Roll up and fill a buttered casserole dish with burrito rolls.  Spoon taco sauce on/or salsa over burrito rolls and sprinkle with jalapeno jack, crumbled queso quesadillo cheese, or mozzarella. Cover lightly with oil and bake at 375^, uncovering the last 5 minutes. Slice into servings; serve over lettuce with sour cream.

10. SPICY MOLE PLOBANO: Combine meat mixture with 1 (8-oz.) jar mole sauce. Broil whole problano peppers in olive oil or place over open flame of gas burner until lightly charred and blistered; turn occasionally to char evenly; coarsely chop the peppers. Serve peppers and mole meat mixture over rice.


11. MEXICAN SQUASH BOATS: Scoop out squash or zucchini centers and fill with meat mixture. Top with any kind of cheese or buttered bread crumbs and bake at 350^ until zucchini is tender and cheese is bubbly.

12. BEAN DIP: Combine 1 part mea mixture, 1 part canned black, 1 part sour cream onion dip, and a few tablespoons chopped jalapenos (optional). Season to taste and serve with tortilla chips.

Note: If no taco season is available, you can make your own mixture.

TACO SEASONING:
½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. cumin, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. hot paprika, ½ tsp. chili powder
¼ tsp. celery seed, ¼ tsp. confectioners sugar, ¼ tsp. onion powder, 1/4 tsp. cayenne

Combine all ingredients. Measure out /2 teaspoon to use for above recipes. Taste meat mixture and add more taco season to desired level of spiciness.
Save any remaining taco seasoning in a tightly covered jar or bag for another meal.