Family-Style Pita dinner – A Twist on Taco Night

This is a twist on our family taco night perfect for when you still want to honor that Taco Tuesday tradition but maybe with pitas instead. The key to a “Family Style” meal is that everyone gets to make their own plate. Never underestimate the power of a shared meal and empowering them to make choices for themselves.

Ingredients:
1 pound of Grass Fed Beef (or meat of choice)
1 pack Baby Bella Mushrooms
2 cups Frozen Brown Rice
2 cups Frozen Cauliflower Rice
1 lime
2 teaspoons of Salt, Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, and Paprika
Chives to taste
Whole Wheat Pitas

Optional Pita Toppings:
Diced rainbow cherry tomatos
Store bought shredded green cabbage or lettuce of choice
Store bought banana peppers
Ripe avocados, chopped with lime juice and a little salt
And of course chips and salsa

Directions:
For the meat, add it, 1/3 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Cumin, Paprika, and Salt to the pan.
Cook meat on medium heat making sure to break up and mix the spices well to incorporate, this will get easier to do as the meat begins to brown.
After starting the meat, rinse the mushrooms.
Discard stems and dice mushrooms.
Add diced mushrooms to browning meat.
Cook until meat and mushrooms are fully cooked and water has evaporated, should take 15-20 minutes.
Using kitchen shears cut up and stir in desired amount of chives.
For the rice add two cups of frozen brown and cauliflower rice with two thirds cup of water to medium pot.
Cook on medium heat.
Add 1 teaspoon of Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Cumin, Paprika, Salt and juice of one lime to the pot.
Stir occasionally cooking for 15 minutes or until all is warmed and tender.
Using kitchen shears cut up and stir in desired amount of chives.
Taste test you may want to add a touch more salt.

Toppings:
I find it easiest to cook the meat and rice first. Turn the heat off and then prepare the toppings.
Chop up and separate out desired toppings in individual bowls, so kids can serve themselves.
It is an extra step of clean up but use containers that can quickly go in the dishwasher.
Have kids help cut up the veggies (using kid safe knives or kitchen shears) or have them separate the food into serving bowls.

Warm up Pitas in the oven and re-heat the meat and rice. Set it all out buffet style so everyone can help them selves!

This recipe feeds my family of 4.

Great article on Serving Meals Family-Style