Yesterday was a definite Cooking While I’m Driving day. I was trying to get as much Christmas shopping done as I could and I didn’t eat all day so I was very hungry. My daughter was home studying for finals and I’m sure she didn’t eat too much herself. I happen to be passing a Trader Joe’s and I called her, “What would you like to eat for dinner?” “I don’t know?” was her response. “If we would meal plan we wouldn’t have to have this conversation.” “I know” was her response. Finally she says, “Tacos.” “Perfect” was my response as I pulled into Trader Joe’s parking lot. “Check to see what we need?” I asked my daughter “green pepper, chopped meat, tortillas, avocado and shredded cheese,” was her response. I knew we had sour cream, taco seasoning, olives and lettuce (I asked my daughter to check the lettuce make sure it’s fresh). Within 10 minutes I had everything else we needed for dinner. When I arrived home, I unloaded the car of the gifts and food I purchased and went to the kitchen to cook. The entire meal was on the table within 30 minutes. 

• Ingredients:
• 1 lb chopped meat
• 1/2 packet of taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water
• salsa
• 1/4 fresh green pepper
• shredded cheddar cheese or block and grate it yourself
• Tortillas (use corn for gluten free) (large or small whatever your preference) hard or soft
• sour cream
• black olives
• fresh iceberg lettuce
• canola oil or avocado oil
• avocado (my daughter likes to add this it is optional) 

cut fresh green pepper, then put approximately 1 tablespoon of oil in a frying pan, heat on medium heat then add green pepper, saute 2-3 minutes, then add chopped meat and taco seasoning (you can use more or less to taste if you like it spicer then add more if you like it mild add less), cook a few minutes and then add 1/2 cup water, cook on medium heat until chopped meat is fully cooked and liquid has mostly evaporated

while the chopped meat is cooking, chop olives, cut lettuce and avocado, place sour cream, salsa and shredded cheese in individual dishes. Heat tortillas either on the stove in a pan for a few minutes or in between 2 wet paper towels in the microwave for 1 minute. Don’t heat too many at one time, I suggest only 4 at a time. Everyone gets a tortilla or taco shell and starts to make their own taco. A little hint when eating a soft shell taco, before you pick it up close one end, sort of folding it in so the contents don’t fall out when you eat it.