Basic Mexican Beef

Basic Mexican Beef
2 pounds 97 percent lean ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
1. Brown the ground beef over high heat in an extra-deep, 12-inch nonstick skillet, stirring frequently to break up the meat. While the meat browns, add the chili powder, cumin, onion powder and garlic powder.
2. When the meat is brown, reduce the heat to medium. Add the ketchup and water, and stir to mix well. Continue to cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of water evaporates.
3. Freeze the meat mixture in 1 1/4-cup portions in 3 freezer-weight plastic bags. Use the frozen meat for Fiesta Beef Tacos (recipe above) or for Taco Twists (recipe next week).
To defrost the frozen meat, run the plastic bag under hot tap water to loosen the packaging. Remove the meat from the bag, and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, on the defrost setting, following the manufacturer's instructions, until the meat is fully defrosted. The meat mixture is now ready to use in a recipe.
Makes 3 3/4 cups.
Cook's note: If you are planning to serve Fiesta Beef Tacos on the same night that you make the Basic Mexican Beef, preheat the oven to 350 degrees before beginning Step 1. The beef mixture can be used for other Mexican dishes, such as burritos, nachos and tostados.
Nutrition values per half-cup serving: 197 calories, 9 g fat, 3 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 25 g protein, 72 mg cholesterol, 181 mg sodium.