Mondays with Mom- Fiesta Time

Mexican food will probably always make me think of my mom. We ate it often, at home and in restaurants. Growing up, there was a little place by our church and we ate there every other week. My sister remembers me eating the butter packets placed on the table to spread on tortillas (I still deny this) and I remember her ordering chicken fingers at a Mexican restaurant (she cannot deny this). 

Our family tradition is to eat Mexican food every year on Christmas Eve. No turkey or ham for us, just enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, even homemade tamales one year. It's a pretty special feeling on Christmas Eve, knowing that my family in California is celebrating in the same manner. 

We ate a lot of Mexican food at home, as well. Mom would usually buy a Taco Bell taco kit from the store and a block of frozen hamburger meat was transformed into a fiesta by the end of the day. My dad works for Frito-Lay, so we always had plenty of chips, salsa, and queso to round out the meal. Taco night is a favorite at our house, as well. I love it because it's one of the quickest meals to get on the table, and yet it always looks like such an elaborate spread of food. 

I also love it because no other meal gets my oldest picky eater to voluntarily add lettuce and tomato to his plate. 

I forgo the boxed kit and packaged taco seasoning but usually have crunchy shells for the kiddos. If I feel fancy, I'll make flour tortillas. Rice and beans, guacamole for me, and everyone ends up happy and full. If I've learned anything from this blog series about feeding a family, it is this: my mom knew what she was doing. 

Taco Seasoning
To season 1 lb of hamburger meat:

1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbs chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp oregano

Brown and drain your meat, then add seasonings and a couple of tablespoons of water. Stir well to combine and distribute the seasoning throughout.