Zesty Tacos Recipes

ZESTY CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• Carnitas: Trim fat from pork. Cut pork into 2- to 3-inch pieces; transfer to a 4-quart slow cooker. Stir in onion, orange juice, cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, oregano, and cayenne.
• Cover and cook on Low 8 to 10 hours, or on High 4 to 5 hours. Transfer pork to a large bowl; shred using 2 forks. Add enough cooking liquid from slow cooker to moisten.
• Lime Crema: Add 2 tablespoons lime juice to a small bowl. Stir in yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Dust with chili powder.
• Tacos: Serve pork in tortillas with cabbage, red onion, and pico de gallo (if using). Garnish with crema and lime zest.

ZESTY TACO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Combine rice and water In a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and garlic in oil until tender. In a medium bowl, combine chile peppers, salsa, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cottage cheese, corn, chili, and cooked rice. Stir this mixture in with the onions and peppers. Cook until heated through. Transfer to a 2 quart casserole dish, and top with chips and cheese. Use more or less cheese to taste.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

SPICY GROUND BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, oregano and garlic powder; cook, stirring, until the onion is coated, about 1 minute.
• Add the beef, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, hot sauce and 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the juices are slightly thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, warm the taco shells as the label directs. Fill with the beef mixture and top with lettuce, cheese and/or pickled jalapenos.

ZESTY CHICKEN SOFT TACOS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the first six ingredients. Spread over flatbreads; top with chicken and, if desired, cilantro.

ZESTY TACOS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in water and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until thickened., Meanwhile, prepare taco shells according to package directions. Stir peas into skillet; heat through. Spoon 1/4 cup beef mixture into each taco shell. Top with tomatoes, lettuce and cheese. Drizzle with salad dressing.

ZESTY LIME FISH TACOS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200 degrees F. Cut each fish fillet lengthwise into 4 strips. In shallow glass dish, mix garlic and 7 tablespoons lime juice. Add the fish strips to the mixture and turn to coat. Let stand while preparing the biscuits.
• On a work surface, mix the flour and cornmeal. Separate the dough into 8 biscuits. Press both sides of each biscuit into the flour mixture, then press or roll into 6 to 7-inch rounds.
• In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil over medium heat. Add 2 biscuit rounds and cook about 1 minute on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Place on a cookie sheet and keep warm in the oven. Cook the remaining rounds, adding 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil to the skillet for each batch. Wipe the skillet clean.
• Heat the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish and lime juice mixture, chipotle chiles, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook about 5 minutes, turning fish once, until fish flakes easily with fork.
• In a small bowl, mix the salsa, sour cream, and remaining 1 tablespoon lime juice.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the fish and divide evenly among the biscuit rounds. Top each round with shredded cabbage and 1 to 2 tablespoons salsa mixture. Fold the biscuit rounds in half over filling. Serve with any remaining salsa mixture. Garnish with lime wedges, if desired.

ZESTY BEEF FILLED TACOS

Steps:

• Place onion and carrot in slow cooker. Top with beef. Sprinkle with ¼ cup cilantro, crushed red pepper and salt. Add canned tomatoes and water.
• Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
• Remove meat from cooker and shred if desired. Drain vegetables well and discard the liquid.
• Transfer vegetables to a food processor and process until chopped.
• Return meat and vegetables to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 15-30 minutes or until heated through.

ZESTY BLACKENED FISH TACOS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Place fish on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Mix garlic and 2 Tbsp. dressing until blended; brush onto fish. Sprinkle with chili powder.
• Bake 10 to 12 min. or until fish flakes easily with fork. Meanwhile, toss coleslaw blend with remaining dressing in medium bowl.
• Use fork to break fish into chunks; place on tortillas. Top with coleslaw, onions and peppers.