Chicken Tacos

1. 1 pound ripe plum tomatoes, cored (about 4-5)
2. 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3. 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
4. Salt & freshly ground pepper
5. 1 large white onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
6. 2 cloves garlic, very finely chopped
7. 2 tablespoons lime juice
8. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
9. 12 corn tortillas, warmed
10. 1/4 cup sour cream for garnish
11. 2 limes, cut into quarters

Directions – serves 6

1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Place tomatoes in the skillet and turn occasionally with tongs until charred on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly. Cut in half crosswise; squeeze to discard seeds. Chop the remaining pulp and skins; set aside.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of the oil to the pan and heat over high heat until the oil is very hot. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Add lime juice and the reserved chicken and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and stir in cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
4. Spoon filling into warm tortillas, roll up and serve with sour cream or avocado slices and lime wedges. For a full meal, throw in some rice and beans on the side.

On a Roll

Ingredients
1. 2 lbs ground beef
2. 1 teaspoon Salt
3. 2 tablespoons Chili powder
4. 2 tablespoons Paprika
5. 1 teaspoon Cumin
6. 1 teaspoon Garlic powder or 2 cloves
7. 1/2 diced Bell pepper
8. 1/2 diced medium Onion
9. 12 corn tortillas
Instructions: serves 6
In 2-quart sauce pan add ground beef, salt, chili powder, garlic, cumin, and paprika. Put in enough water to cover meat. Bring to a boil. Simmer over medium low heat about an hour. Then add 1/2 medium chopped onion, 1/2 medium chopped bell pepper and continue cooking 20 or 30 more minutes. I am not a fan of bell peppers so I always leave them out. For beef flautas: Heat oil in skillet. Cook corn tortillas, one at a time, in hot oil until soft, about 5 to 10 seconds; drain. Strain liquid, then spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef meat in center of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla around the beef filling into flute shape. Use toothpicks to hold the tortilla in the flute shape. Fry beef flautas approximately 2-3 minutes or until tortilla holds its shape. Remove the toothpicks and place 2-3 flautas per plate. Serve salsa, sour cream, and guacamole on the side, along with whatever else you want: rice, beans, corn, green beans, carrots? No red or white wine necessary. A soft drink or a beer will do.