Tacos are a dish that isn't only easy to make, it is easy to adjust to individual tastes. The following is a north of the border recipe for soft tacos that is a winner with nearly everyone. It can be made tangy or bland, and the flavor can be changed quite easily so it isn't the same old thing, any two times.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground meat *
1 large onion, finely diced

2 stalks celery, diced
2 tbsp crushed garlic
1 8oz can chopped mushrooms or a similar amount of fresh chopped mushrooms
1/2 pound grated cheese *
2 large tomatoes, diced
2 8oz cans tomato sauce
18 nine inch soft corn tortillas
chili powder, crushed chili peppers, oregano, basil, cumin, and paprika to taste (1/8 tsp of each is a good starting point)

1. Brown the meat, onions, and celery in a fry pan over medium low heat. Medium low heat is best because it allows the vegetables to soften.

2. Add the garlic, spices, and mushrooms. Stir well, and add the tomato sauce. Simmer for 10-15 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally.

3. Down the center of the tortillas, put 3 tablespoons of the meat and tomato salsa. Immediately sprinkle with the cheese. Add diced tomatoes. Diced lettuce can also be added, though this is optional.

4. Wrap or roll the tortilla. These can be kept warm in the oven, or they can be eaten immediately.

* The variations are almost endless. For the meat, try beef, turkey, chicken, buffalo, venison, elk, or goat. For the cheese, cheddar and jack cheese are favorites, but each different kind of meat or cheese will add a slightly different flavor, and there is nothing wrong with mixing cheeses.

Wild mushrooms such as morels can add a special flavor to this dish, yet the mushrooms can be totally omitted for those who don't like mushrooms.

Increasing or decreasing the amount of crushed chili peppers will change how tangy the result is.

The great thing is that you can add other things to the sauce, such as whole kernel corn. Altering the amounts and types of spices will also change the flavor. For a special treat, try using homemade tortillas.

This dish goes well with fresh green salad, sliced tomatoes, and stuffed peppers. Strawberry shortcake is a great dessert to compliment the meal.

Preparation time is about a half hour, and the cost is usually minimal, far less expensive than buying tacos in a restaurant. The flavor is far better, at the same time.

These tacos are great any time of year, and they appeal to a wide range of people. The cooking is simple and the dish appeals to young and old alike. In fact, the elderly often greatly enjoy it because the tacos present no problems for denture wearers, as they are soft. The above recipe can feed three reasonably hungry people, however even the amounts can be varied according to how many will be eating. Leftover tacos, if there are any, can even be frozen for later use. It just doesn't get much easier than this.

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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