Ingredients
3 teaspoons hot chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
2 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
2 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste (optional)
1 lb ground lean beef
2 tbsp tomato paste
3/4 c. water
Preparation
Heat oven for taco shells. Start browning meat. Mix taco seasoning dry ingredients. While meat is browning, grate cheese and chop tomatoes; prep lettuce; get out condiments that you want to use. Watch for meat to get about 1/2 browned. When meat is partially browned add taco seasoning mix and continue until fully browned. After browned completely, add 1/2 to 1 cup water and the 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook down on low to blend flavors. It is about now that you would put your taco shells into a preheated oven. The cook times vary: 3 - 9 minutes depending on brand.
Finish prepping condiments and toppings while meat mixture simmers down to almost no liquid but is still moist.
Used it with 1 lb ground lean beef, corn taco shells, cheese, salsa, avocados, tomatoes. May serve with sour cream..
