Beef Taco Meat

No, I didn't take this picture. It's out of the America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook. But it IS a picture of what I made tonight for dinner! And this is exactly what it looks like (except with homemade soft flour tortillas). If you don't know what America's Test Kitchen is, you are in for a treat. It's on Sundays at 11:00 am on "Create" (Channel 11-3 for those of us without cable). I'm sure it's on other times too but that's the only time I watch. Basically, it's a show where they rigorously test recipes, kitchen gadgets, and ingredients to tell you the best of the best. I'm addicted! I tried this beef taco recipe and it was awesome and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. I don't like taco meat (ground beef) but I now stand corrected. This has such a great flavor and I promise you will never want to use that packaged taco seasoning again!

Ingredients:

2 tsp. vegetable oil

1 small onion, minced

3 medium garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground coriander

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Salt

1 lb. 90% lean ground beef

1/2 cup canned tomato sauce

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tsp. vinegar, preferably cider vinegar

1 tsp. brown sugar

Ground black pepper

Directions

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 4 minutes.

Add the garlic, spices, and 1/2 tsp. salt; cook, stirring constantly until fragrant, about 30 seconds. (When I do this again, I will premeasure all the those spices into a bowl and add them all at once since you only have to cook them for 30 seconds before adding other ingredients)

Add the ground beef and cook, breaking the meat up into small pieces, scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent scorching until the beef is no long pink.

Add the tomato sauce, broth, and vinegar, and brown sugar, bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently until the liquid has reduced and thickened, about 10 minutes (the mixture shouldn't be dry).

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with taco supplies!