Baked Beef and Black Bean Tacos

TACO SEASONING

• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Freshly cracked pepper

TACOS

• 1 Tbsp cooking oil
• 1 yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 300g lean ground beef (93% lean or higher)*
• 1 can black beans
• 1 box 10 hard taco shells
• 1 cup shredded cheddar

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

• 1 tomato
• 1 jalapeño
• Handful fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup sour cream

1. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the taco seasoning, then set the seasoning aside (or use one envelope of store-bought taco seasoning). Preheat the oven to 200ºF.
   
   
2. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and cooking oil to a large frying pan. Sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until the onion is soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the ground beef and prepared taco seasoning and continue to sauté until the beef is cooked through (another 5 minutes).
   
   
3. Arrange the taco shells in a casserole dish so they are all standing upright. If you do not have a dish that fits them snuggly enough to hold them up, use balled up aluminum foil to act as "book ends" to help hold the line of tacos upright.
   
   
4. Drain the can of black beans well, but do not rinse them. A little sauciness helps keep the beef mixture moist.Stir the beans into the seasoned beef and allow them to heat through.
   
   
5. Fill the tacos with the beef and bean mixture. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over top. Bake the tacos in the preheated oven for 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the taco shells are golden brown on the edges.
   
   
6. While the tacos are baking, dice the tomato, slice the jalapeño, and roughly chop the cilantro leaves. Sprinkle the diced tomato, jalapeño, and cilantro over the tacos, and add a dollop of sour cream just before serving.