The weekend party food was a Taco Bar. We are big fans of tacos, but have reactions to gluten, casein and nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes). Commercial mixes contain at least one of these – even the organic varieties. (Chili peppers are a given in Mexican food…)
The solution? Make our own with a GF/CF/NF seasoning!
I developed this mix sometime last year, and have used this to make taco salad many times. It’s one of my son’s favorite meals – especially now that we have Tara’s tortilla recipe!
Nightshade-Free (GF/CF) Taco Seasoning
1 tbsp Himalayan Salt
1 tbsp Sugar
1 tbsp Onion Powder
½ tbsp Garlic Powder
1 tbsp Cumin
1 tbsp Coriander
1 tbsp Cilantro
1 tbsp Oregano
All ingredients are dried. I use the measurements as a ratio, meaning that I buy a spice jar of each ingredient and use the whole jar (or a half, as the case may be). The result smells and tastes very much like the store-bought seasonings I have used. If you like a thickening agent in the mix, add arrowroot powder. Grind/mix in a food processor or high-powered blender to ensure it is uniform and well-combined.
Prepare the same way as commercial mixes: brown a pound of ground beef, add @ 1+ tbsp seasoning (to taste) to 1/2 cup water to dissolve and add to meat. Simmer for a few minutes to meld flavors (and thicken). Enjoy!
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe! I was diagnosed with a nightshade allergy/RA earlier this year, and life has been pretty bleak since having to give up all of my favorite foods (and it’s been pretty hard on my husband, too.) We just used this to make a spicy refried bean (so we wouldn’t need salsa,) and it was PERFECT. Served with a cilantro lime rice, fresh veggies, and Vincente Fernandez playing on our phone, we didn’t feel like our dinner was lacking anything. THANK YOU!!!
Quick question as to the cumin and coriander, is the recipe calling for seed or ground versions of the spices.
Thanks! And sorry if I missed the info somewhere obvious
All spices are ground. Unless, of course, you prefer them coarse or whole.
Cumin is not a nightshade; however, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne includes both coriander and cumin the the “spices to avoid” list for AIP
http://www.thepaleomom.com/spices-on-autoimmune-protocol
I’ve been using this and loving it…not realizing these spices are not recommended for AIP.
Yes, this recipe is GF/CF/NF – but not AIP compliant due to seed-based spices. I am nightshade sensitive, but not currently on full AIP.
Thank You SO much. I am meal planning for a family of seven, including a 15yo with her second major health crisis in 5 years. We have been SOOO careful, but this time it is a life threatening disease. All of you parents out there who have little ones with GI issues – this is your heads up! Check out Dr. Amy Myers book “AutoImmune Protocol”, frequent Pamela’s blog and trust your instincts (ie. don’t listen when the doctors tell you that there is “nothing wrong” or “nothing to be done”.
Major childhood illnesses (that belong to 30/40 yo’s) are on the rise. Thank you, Pamela, for your blog (and your wondeful taco recipe that saves me from having to figure out my own).
And, no, cumin is NOT a nightshade!
Thank you for your kind words – so glad I could help!
Cumin is NOT a nightshade- yet it IS a seed derived spice so it is generally eliminated if you are following a strict Autoimmune protocal, as directed by thepaleomom.
http://www.thepaleomom.com/2012/07/spices-on-autoimmune-protocol.html
I imagine many autoimmune suffers find they dont tolerate it– and many others may find they do. Everybody is different!
You are my hero – thank you!!!
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FYI, cumin is a nightshade. Was rather surprised to see it in an “AIP” and “nightshade” free recipe.
I believe you are misinformed. Cumin is not a member of the nightshade family, but of the parsely family.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumin
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