Navajo Tacos

I made this on Sunday for Paul's family - it was a huge croud-pleaser. Sorry no picture - they were eaten too quickly.

Navajo Tacos

2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
Approx 8 cups cooked pinto beans – (see below) or use 3-4 cans, drained (Also ok to use kidney beans)
1 6 oz. can tomato sauce
1 10 oz. can mild red enchilada sauce (or just use another tomato sauce)
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp basil
½ tsp oregano
¼ tsp garlic powder
2 1/2 - 3 tsp salt (only if you made your own beans – otherwise use just a few sprinkles of saltbecause canned beans are usually pre-salted)
pepper to taste

Toppings:
Chopped lettuce
Shredded cheese
Salsa
Fresh pico de gallo
Tomatoes
Corn
Jalapeños or green chilies
Sour cream
Ranch

Brown meat w/ chopped onion. Drain and rinse meat to remove fat. Put back in pot or in a crockpot. Add all other ingredients, stir, and simmer at least 20 minutes or for a few hours on low in the crockpot. I made this in the crock pot, so it could be done ahead of time and just kept warm. Serve on warm fry-bread and pile high with toppings.

This made a big pot that served about 15-18. You can easily half the recipe. Also, you can adjust the spice amounts to your own tastes. Note: I have made this with home-made beans and canned – I liked it a lot better with homemade, but the canned is a great quick substitute.

Beans – I soaked 3 cups of dry pinto beans overnight. Drain. Cook in pressure cooker for 19 minutes on high w/ about 10-12 cups of water, a slice of onion, garlic clove, bay leaves, and some cilantro stems. Don’t add salt, yet. When beans are done, use a slotted spoon to place into your pot or crock pot with the meat and onion. You can also cook beans in a crock pot – after soaked, cook w/ water and spices for 3-4 hours on high. (they turn out better for me in the pressure cooker)

Navajo Fry Bread (you will need 3-4 batches if making the entire bean recipe)

500 g. bread flour (4 cups)
8 g. salt (1 teaspoon)
14 g. sugar (1 Tbsp)
14 g. baking powder (1 Tbsp)
20 g. shortening (1 Tbsp)
10 oz warm water

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Then gradually add warm water and knead. (I use the food processor for this and it only takes a minute). Cut into 6-10 pieces depending how large you want them. Cover, and let rest 10-15 minutes. Flatten by hand about 1/8 - 1/4 inch and fry for 1-2 minutes in a couple of inches of oil (375 degrees). Keep warm in 200 degree oven until ready to serve. Authentic fry bread does not have sugar or shortening - so feel free to omitt - this just makes it a little sweeter and softer. Also notice - there is no yeast - the baking powder makes it rise - do not use regular dough for fry bread, or else it will be too chewy.

Happy Halloween!!!

We had a fun time this weekend on Halloween. The kids loved trick-or-treating. This was Austin's first time - the neighbors couldn't refuse when he would say, "More..?" We had Paul's family over after trick-or-treating with lots of yummy food - popcorn balls, homemade doughnuts, pumpkin seeds, bratwurst, cheese fondue, apple cider, and caramel apples. It tasted great, but we have now been recovering from this for the past two days - the messy kitchen and our upset stomachs.

I helped out with Abby's class party and had to bring the boys along - they had lots of fun and were really well behaved - I should have let them wear their costumes, though.

Austin loved joining the 1st grade party!

Fall Update

Anther update of the last few months - I will add Halloween pics soon.

Homecoming game: We had lots of fun camping in Provo for the Homecoming game. We woke up early to go see the ESPN gameday show, then went to the parade, rode around on our bikes and scooters, and went to the bookstore. I also went for a run around Provo which I haven't done for about 9 years - that was fun. It was a great day until the football game started and BYU had a horrible loss to TCU - we still had a fun weekend, though.

Austin at the BYU parade:

Fall picnic in AF canyon:

We spent conference weekend at a cabin close to Zion National Park. Kim and her family stayed there as well. We had a great time hiking through the park. Paul, Robert, McKinley, Dallin, and even Andrew hiked up most of Angels' Landing.

Mt Carmel overlook:

Emerald Pools

4-wheeling by the cabin:

Hiking up to the overlook:

Anthony's 4th birthday: We had a pirate celebration at home with a few cousins and some neighbor kids and then we went to Pirate Island. He loved it!

Abigail's 7th birthday: We were blessed with good weather so we were able to have a waterslide party for Abby's birthday. I can't believe she is allready 7!

School starts: Abby is now in 1st grade and goes to school all day. Here she is on her first day:

Andrew's first day of kindergarten after a wipe-out on his bike and scooter that week. He loves riding the bus with Abby in the morning.