Crazy Tacos

This recipe originally called for hamburger, but tonight I tried it without the meat and substituted pinto beans. I'll give the directions for either option.

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef OR 2 cans pinto beans and a TBSP canola oil
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
3 6 oz. cans water
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/4 onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1 cup rice, cooked
corn chips

Toppings:
avocado
grated cheese
tomatoes
lettuce
black olives
green onions
sour cream
taco sauce or salsa

Directions:
Brown ground beef in large skillet,
OR heat oil in pan and add drained, rinsed pinto beans.
To meat OR beans, add:
tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin.
Simmer for 30 minutes, then stir in 1 cup cooked rice.
Serve with tortilla chips and toppings.

From my roommate, Alisa.

Pasta with Garlic Zucchini

Ingredients:
1 package wacky mac
3 TBSP olive oil
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 large zucchini, cut into strips
1/2 cup water
onion powder
6 grape tomatoes, cut into strips
3/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:
Boil pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, heat 2 TBSP olive oil and add garlic. Cook for 3 minutes.
Add zucchini, cook for a minute or two, then add water and onion powder.
Let sit on medium heat for 10 minutes.
Add tomatoes and 1 TBSP oil.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in pasta and cheese.
Serve.

I adapted this recipe from Nie Nie's cooking blog.

You could use any pasta, Stephanie uses whole wheat spaghetti, I was hoping that the colors and shapes of the wacky mac would appeal to my kids and be easier for them to eat. Except for Ruby, they still thought it was gross, but not too gross to eat when told they wouldn't get a snack if they didn't eat it. That's saying something.