Tacos with Salsa

This homemade salsa is mild--spice it up with minced jalapeno if you like.

Makes 8 servings

2 tomatoes, diced
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced seeded jalapeno pepper, or to taste (wear gloves to prevent irritation)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1 pound lean ground beef (10% or less fat)
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
8 taco shells
2 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream

1. Place the fresh tomatoes in a strainer or colander in the sink; drain 20-30 minutes.
2. In a medium nonstick saucepan, heat the oil. Saute the onion, garlic, and jalapeno pepper until the onion is translucent, 6-8 minutes. Stir in the cumin, oregano, and paprika; saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper. Reduce the heat; simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
3. To prepare the salsa, in a medium bowl, combine the fresh tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, and lime juice; season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and the pepper.
4. To assemble the tacos, divide the beef mixture among the taco shells; top with the lettuce, then the salsa and sour cream.

Per Serving (1 taco): 200 Cal, 10 g Fat, 3 g Sat Fat, 1 g Trans Fat, 33 mg Chol, 317 mg Sod, 16 g Carb, 3 g Fib, 13 g Prot, 67 mg Calc.

POINTS value: 4.

Tip: If you'd rather make taco-shell bowls and serve this as a salad, crumple foil into balls and place them on a baking sheet; drape 6-inch corn tortillas over the balls, then bake at 400 F for about 10 minutes.

Comments: If you're used to the cheap seasoned taco mix when you make tacos like we are, these tacos aren't as flavorful. They have more of a tomato taste, but are probably better for you. They weren't bad; just different. The salsa was really good. It would taste good on the tacos made with the taco seasoning pouch.