I might call myself Nacho Mama when I cook Mexican, and I might really be Not(ch) Yo’ Mama – but that does not stop me from trying to find recipes that allow my dinner to be all things to all people. I refuse to be a short order cook, but if the cookin’ can wear different plates, well then, why not!

A little taco, soft or crunchy, a little chimichanga, a little enchilada – one pot of stuffing, just different wrappings – toppings for all.

You first start with a pot of stuffing:

Stuffing
2 lbs hamburger
2 packets Taco seasoning
1 24 ounce can refried beans
2 cups salsa
1 to 2 cups shredded cheese (depending on taste)

Brown the hamburger, drain fluid. Add 2 packets of Taco Seasoningwith 2 cups of water. Cook for 10 minutes. Add can of refriend beans. When mixed, add salsa and cheese. This feeds our family of 7 for 2 days.

 Choose between Burrito-sized tortillas, taco-sized soft-shell tortillas, or crunchy tacos for filling.

Toppings include: diced tomatoes, onions, jalapenos (canned or fresh), shredded mexican cheese, Salsa, enchilada sauce, lettuce mixed with fresh spinach.

Pico De Gallo:
3 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
3 jalapenos, diced
2 avacados, diced
1/4 C salad onions (I like the large salad onions still in bunches)
3 limes for juice
1 to 2 tablespoons cilantro, depending on taste
1 tablespoon minced garlic (optional)

To make Nachos, fill a round oven-safe dish with tortilla chips, creating a pyramid. Spoon filling over the pyramid, topped with cheese and jalapenos.

Some of my boys want a soft-shell with stuffing and cheese, one a little cheese, a little sauce, a lot of spinach tucked in a taco crunch. Some want a little stuffing with lots of jalapenos.

When I say we’re having Mexican, my joyful one always asks hopefully, “Taco Bell?” 

I just say, “Nacho Mama.”

He walks away shaking his head, saying, “Dinner could have been so good.”

But he fills his plate and eats every last bite. For his birthday last year, he got his own industrial-sized bottle of jalapenos and salsa.

The biggest one of them all, he doesn’t like vegetables, but he loves the Pico de Gallo with the enchiladas – ate all the Pico de Gallo with his enchilada – and, gasp, even commented on how wonderful it was. It must be awesome.

One pot, 5 different plates – a dinner all things to all people.

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).