Taco Especial Recipes

FLAN ESPECIAL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• To make the caramel, heat the sugar in a medium sized skillet over medium heat. When the sugar begins to melt, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking until the sugar has melted and browned. Spoon or pour the caramel over the bottom of a 3 quart oval baking dish and tilt the dish so that caramel spreads evenly around the sides. The caramel hardens as it cools, so work quickly. In a bowl whip the eggs gently until smooth and then add the condensed milk, fresh milk, vanilla, almond extract, salt and Amaretto, and whisk until smooth. Strain the mixture through a sieve in the caramel-coated baking dish. Set the mold in a larger pan of warm water. The water must reach half the depth of the mold. Cover the flan loosely with foil to prevent it from overbrowning.
• Bake for 1 1/2 hours until the center feels just firm when pressed. Remove from the water bath and allow to cool. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.
• Unmold by placing a large decorative platter over the mold, and using both hands, flip the mold over onto the platter. Remove the mold and decorate the flan with orange sections and strawberries.

TACO ESPECIAL

Steps:

• For the carne adovada: Toss together pork, oil, chile powders, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne, bay leaf, clove, salt and pepper in a large pan. Let marinate for 5 hours or up to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer pork to a large baking dish and cover with foil, then roast, 2 hours. Remove pork and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
• For the carne asada: Toss together steak, oil, garlic powder, bay leaf, clove, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then let marinate, refrigerated, for 5 hours or up to overnight.
• Preheat a grill or saute pan on medium heat and cook steak, 2 1/2 minutes per side. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
• For the vegetables: Combine broccoli, mushrooms, carrot, celery, squash and zucchini in a large bowl.
• Combine a portion of chopped carne adovada, carne asada and fresh veggies in a saute pan and heat until hot. Serve immediately with soft white corn tortillas, topped with shredded cabbage, chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro and 1 lime wedge. Repeat with 9 more portions.

TACO MEAT

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Season beef with onion powder, garlic salt, celery salt, and cumin. Pour tomato sauce over the beef, stir to coat, and simmer until thickened, slightly, about 5 minutes.

TACOS

Steps:

• Cook meat, onion, garlic and cilantro stirring often til meat is no longer pink. Drain fat.
• Add seasoning and 3/4 cup water or beer to meat mixture and stir to blend. Only use beer if you like beer! lol You could also use half beer and half water. DH always comes in and adds a glug or two from his can behind my back so I never know exactly how much is in there! grrrr.
• Simmer until liquid has evaporated.
• Serve with desired toppings. Get creative! Use what you like!
• This can fill tortillas, corn or flour, or be used to top corn or tortilla chips. When I make this I make a taco salad on my plate, dd makes that or some tacos and dh always makes nachos putting only cheese on top and microwaving til the cheese is melty. To each his own! I get three different meals with one skillet! Happy mama!

TACO NACHOS

Steps:

• Place ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain and mix in taco seasoning mix and water. Continue cooking 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Place processed cheese and milk in a small, microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high until melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir until blended and smooth.
• Place tortilla chips on a large, microwave safe dish. Spread with refried beans. Top with beef and cheese and mixtures.
• Microwave approximately 2 minutes on high, until the cheese has melted into the beef. Top with tomato and green onions. Serve warm.

MEXICAN GRAVY OR ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large frying pan, melt the butter.
• While that's melting, mix the dry ingredients, then slowly add them to the melted butter, stirring CONSTANTLY.
• Gradually add the broth (there will be some sizzling & hissing), stir until smooth; when it begins to bubble, add the tomato sauce.
• This will be thick and is ready to use now or can be transferred to a crock-pot to keep it warm.
• Use "as is" or add to other recipes.