A recipe

Because I'm lazy and don't have pictures of the other things I want to blog about, I'm going to give you a Darn Good Recipe that you should definitely try. I originally found it years ago, posted by Julia on AOL's Penny Pinching message board. I've altered it a touch to fit my taste. Love this because you can toss it in the crock pot with hardly any prep and it's ready at dinner time... even if you forget to put it in until noon.

Adobo Beef (or elk, if you happen to have some lying around.)

2 lbs beef or elk steaks, sliced in 1/4" strips
1/2 c. naturally fermented soy sauce (or the regular kind)
1/2 c. apple cider vinegar
1 bay leaf
1 tsp black pepper
1 c. water

Put the meat strips into the crock pot. Stir together the remaining ingredients and pour over the meat. Cook for 6 hours on the crock pot's low setting.

This is a fantastic meat for tacos and burritos.

Tried a new taco-shell technique. My mom always fried corn tortillas in hot oil until about half-way between soft and hard. Instead, I tried laying the corn tortillas on a baking sheet, brushing with olive oil, and baking at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes, until they reached that same soft/hard stage. Then I dabbed the extra oil off with a paper towel. Still not really healthy, but at least healthier, and almost the same as mom's. :o)

Top the shell with some of the elk/beef, then add some lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, homemade guacamole and homemade salsa, and serve with a side of hot black beans.

Oh, and for the guac:

2 avocados
1 clove garlic, minced
juice from 1/2 of a lime
sprinkle of chili powder

Mash all ingredients together until creamy and well blended. Refrigerate for an hour to blend flavors.

Okay, so it was more than one recipe. But together, it's fantastic.

Happy Cooking!