Taco Salad

How to make Taco Salad

If you do it right, Taco Salad can be amazing. It’s one of my wife’s all time favorites. And she got really excited, when she heard me say that this was going to be my next video recipe post, because this salad has got it all. I’m talking about, not only, a great selection of salad ingredients but an array of toppings that really make this recipe pop. And it’s the combination of those ingredients that really make a great Taco Salad.

4 Major Taco Salad Ingredients

Unless you want to buy some of these pre-made ingredients, you’re going to need 3 other recipes and it doesn’t matter if you already have your favorite go to recipes or if you want to use mine. Either way, it is essential that you have a nice and thick Chili No Beans, a good Guacamole and of course homemade fresh Salsa. I would highly recommend making all of these, beforehand, yourself because let’s face it, store bought Guacamole, Salsa and Chili, never really measure up. But settling for canned ingredients isn’t the worst thing in the world and if that’s the way you decide to go, your salad will still turn out out pretty good. But I would highly recommend going the extra mile on this one and make everything fresh.

The fourth major ingredient, in my opinion, is of course optional but I think is very necessary; Sour Cream. No all you need is your favorite greens and chopped vegetables to make a salad and you’ll be well on your way.

Taco Salad Ingredients:

1 head Iceberg Lettuce, chopped or torn
1 Red Onion, sliced
4-6 Sweet Peppers, chopped
1 can Black Olives
1 Cucumber
8 oz Cherry Tomatoes
1 can Red Beans

2 cans Chili No Beans, RECIPE
1 pint Guacamole, RECIPE
8 oz Salsa, RECIPE
1 pint Sour Cream
1 lbs Cheddar Cheese

To make this Taco Salad, just follow the instructions in the video tutorial.

Dragon Fruit – what does it look like on the inside

Dragon Fruit is Amazing

I always describe Dragon Fruit as, “The Cookies and Cream” fruit, though, it has the texture of a Kiwi, it looks just like ice cream when you split them open. They grow like flowers on Cacti plants in Mexico and are known as Pitaya or Pitahaya. They are also cultivated in Southeast Asia, the United States, Israel, Australia, Cyprus and the Canary Islands.

Where to find Dragon Fruit

I found Dragon Fruit at my local Oriental Market. I bought the last two they had and I paid $1.98 a pound. I think, between the two, they weighed about 1 1/2 pounds is all. So they really didn’t cost me that much. But people have told me that these can be ridiculously priced in standard grocery markets. I’ve heard upwards of even $8 dollars a piece; which is crazy but if you can find them at lower price, I highly recommend you try one. I like to squeeze lime juice over the top of mine. So if you find them, pic up a lime or two for a little extra seasoning because the Dragon fruit tastes like a mild Kiwi.

Other Recipes like Dragon Fruit

I’ve got a ton of Asian food recipes if you search the categories panel under Chinese or Japanese Food. I’ve also got a few fruits and vegetable videos listed here that you might be interested in, like my, How to cut a Pineapple, Japanese Cold Cucumber and my How to cook an Artichoke. Other than that, thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy this Dragon Fruit Video.

Beef Stew Recipe – Carrots, Potatoes, Parsnips and Steak

The Best Beef Stew

When I think of Beef Stew, I’m reminded of those Sunday afternoon dinners my family would have after several hours of church. The only problem was that any stew that my Mom made wasn’t very good because it was always runny, watered down and flavorless. So when I set out to make Beef Stew for my own family now, I follow one simple rule; make it better than Mom’s recipe(which isn’t hard to do BTW). But don’t let this sob story fool you. This recipe is amazing and I even show you how to cheat!

How do I make Beef Stew

All I do is cook a thick hearty soup with fresh chopped vegetables from my garden and I add a well seasoned steak. Then I add a few seasonings. That’s it and that’s all. Now I do cheat a little when I don’t have time to make my own Chicken and Brown gravy. But after you try this Beef Stew recipe you’ll quickly understand why I do it. Packaged gravy is cheap, it saves time preparing it and it makes this soup taste phenomenal!

Also, be sure to check out these other recipes: Pork Loin and Hominy Stew, Vegetable Chili, Chicken and Dumplings and my Homemade Menudo!

Beef Stew Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs Beef Chuck or Steak
1 Large Onion, chopped
2 Medium Russet Potatoes, chopped
1 Carrot, chopped
1 Parsnip, chopped
1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
1 tsp Dill
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 1/2 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth

1 cup Water for Steak Fond
1 pckg Chicken Gravy, prepared with instructions (1 cup approximately)
1 pckg Brown Gravy, prepared with instructions (1 cup approximately)

Koshar Salt and Pepper to taste

This recipe is very easy to prepare. Just follow the instructions in my Beef Stew Video Recipe Tutorial above.