Thursday, October 14, 2010

Family Taco Night (and a Giveaway)

Last night was taco night at my house. There is just something about tacos that I love. My husband will tell you that tacos at home are not as good as tacos out, but I totally disagree. Part of what I love about having tacos at home is the contrast of the hot filling with the cool toppings. I also love the contrast of textures, whether my crunch is from the shell (when we do crispy shells, which isn't often) or the lettuce. I think part of it too though is that tacos remind me of dinner as a kid. They are one of the few meals that I have brought to my marriage intact. Others, I have adapted and really, much of what I make is new to me - either stuff that my husband grew up on (he's Italian) or recipes that I have found.

So, when MyBlogSpark contacted me about doing a Blog Spark for a family taco night with Old El Paso, it was a no-brainer. When it comes to eating Mexican food at home, frequently we turn to Old El Paso for our taco sauce, shells, meat seasoning mixes, refried beans and enchilada sauce, but that is only a partial list of what they offer. I was surprised to learn about all of their taco seasoning mix varieties, which includes flavors like Burrito, Cheesy Taco, Chili, Fajita, Taco, Mild Taco and even a seasoning with 40% less sodium. We generally just get the one called Taco. Through MyBlogSpark, you can print off a coupon for $.60 on 2 Old El Paso products and try some of the products for yourself.

Generally, when we have a family taco night, we either use our shredded chicken, which I make in large batches and freeze or we simply brown up some ground beef or turkey (turkey mostly lately). Occasionally for a Mexican treat I will make Chipotle Chicken for my husband and the kids will have chicken I removed from the pan after cooking and before seasoning in burritos. You can put a twist on taco night, with one of the delicious recipes available from Old El Paso, like Easy Fish Tacos (this sounds so easy) or Tarantula Tacos (perfect for Halloween).

And to keep your family laughing at the dinner table, you can have some fun with El Tacodor™, the world’s only family taco night game. With El Tacodor, your family can share a special night at home by challenging one another to quick fire trivia, wordplay and pantomime. Visit http://www.eltacodor.com/today to download instructions, a score card, and a challenge sheet for even more fun on family taco night! There's even a chance to put the spotlight on your family by sharing pictures of your family playing El Tacodor.

For news, tips and more recipes, visit Old El Paso. You can even find a link there for a $.60/2 coupon.

Giveaway
Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Old El Paso, I have the opportunity to giveaway to one lucky A Busy Mom of Two reader, an Old El Paso “family taco night” prize pack which includes a packet of Old El Paso Taco Seasoning, a Cactus Chip & Dip Serving dish, a set of 3 Fiesta Chili Pepper serving dishes and a $10 gift card to purchase your taco fixings.

To enter: Leave a comment sharing what you do for family taco night at your house.

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Tweet about this giveaway. This can be done once daily, please be sure to leave a link to the tweet in your comment.

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Giveaway will remain open until October 28th at 6 pm and is open to residents of US only. Winners will be selected using Random.org random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (Please make sure that your email address is either in your comment or clearly visible on your profile or blog) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. Through my participation in MyBlogSpark, I was able to participate in this event. MyBlogSpark and Old El Paso provided me with a "family taco night" prize pack for me and is providing one "family taco night" prize pack for one reader.

104 comments:

Mami2jcn said...

I don't have a family taco night, but it sounds like a great idea. I would play mariachi music to make it more festive.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

I follow you on Twitter @mami2jcn

Mami2jcn said...

I receive your emails.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/27341206818

Anonymous said...

We are pretty plain - meat, cheese, lettuce, and shells. My daughter likes to have nachos instead. Erin, happynurse27@yahoo.com

Ashley said...

We usually make taco night a movie night as well.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

JC said...

We usually have taco night on Friday or Saturday. Invite friends/family over and have fun with games/movies.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

JC said...

@tcarolinep twitter follower

JC said...

http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/27368325021

JC said...

blogged.http://tcarolinep.blogspot.com/2010/10/giveaway-busy-mom-of-two.html

JC said...

Shared on FB@tcarolinep Jessiekatie S.

Steph S said...

Taco Night is just like any other dinner night at our house. We sit at the table and talk about our day, and there's more time to talk since tacos are so easy to prepare!

ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

Steph S said...

E-mail subscriber

ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

Steph S said...

Following you on Twitter (@1day1dollar)

ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

tristatecruisers said...

what we do is chop up lettuce and tomatoes--shred cheese and pour on the taco sauce and if it's nice outside--we eat them outdoors. :)


marci
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

tristatecruisers said...

subscribe via e-mail :)


marci
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Taco night is nice because my husband and I usually cook it together--one of us will cut up and cook the chicken or beef, while the other slices up the tomatoes, avacadoes, and lettuce for toppings.

Theresa said...

Ours is more of a Taco Salad Night! We love all being able to mix up exactly what we want in our bowl!

Mari said...

When we serve tacos, we make it special by offering all of the fixin's to satisfy all of our particular tastes. I like salmon and shrimp, dh likes beef.

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mari said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/27391411652

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

NeedANap2 said...

We usually let the kids pick their own toppings so they get only what they want.

allthingsnew said...

For family Taco Night, we just do the basics, but we love to have guacamole...it's our fave!

stephanierosenhahn at yahoo dot com

allthingsnew said...

Following you on Twitter!
@asthepotter

stephanierosenhahn at yahoo dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/15:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/27444017266

Sarah Jordan said...

Taco's are my favorite from home as well!

sarahkayjordan at sbcglobal dot net

Jennifer said...

We just eat and eat and eat!!! No lie I can eat about 5 tacos!

Jennifer said...

I subscribe via e-mail!

Janelle said...

We build our own tacos, and my youngest tries to get all of the cheese! :-)

Janelle said...

Follow on Twitter: JanelleKC

Janelle said...

I'm already a subscriber via email. :)

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/27508522743


runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Lori Sifuentes said...

We make our own taco bar.

Thanks
surveys4lori@rocketmail.com

Lori Sifuentes said...

Email subscriber

Thanks
surveys4lori@rocketmail.com

Lori Sifuentes said...

Follower

Thanks
surveys4lori@rocketmail.com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/16:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/27543156950

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/27590898278

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/17:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/27640157476

Tamara B. said...

Taco night is one of our favorites meal nights. I set up the table with bowls of different toppings, so everyone can make their own special tacos, serve the drinks in fancy margarita glasses and we will usually play games on the wii together.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Tamara B. said...

Email subscriber.
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Tamara B. said...

Shared on Facebook
(Tamara Bennington)
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Shannon said...

We love taco night at our house! It is one of our faves! We do crunchy shells inside soft shells for a double decker!

eclairre said...

Play board games! Fun!

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/27694489749

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

The Need 2 Read said...

We always have family taco night buffet style - everyone likes different things, so we have rice, beans, olives, cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, etc and everyone gets to make their taco soft, crunchy, nachos or a salad - however they like it! This would come in handy for us - I'm about to be on maternity leave and maybe this would help my husband with dinner!!

jamieandandre at bellsouth dot net

The Need 2 Read said...

Following you on twitter as @champagnewisdom :)

jamieandandre at bellsouth dot net

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/18:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/27734829799

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/27788928205

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Country Cookin' Mama said...

We all sit together and enjoy each others company.

Anonymous said...

I like taco tuesdays! We add mexican rice, black beans and sometimes corn to our flour tacos! mmm
kaleangel2000@yahoo.com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/19:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/27856158394

Elaine said...

WE have mexican rice and refried beans!

CLOTHED MUCH, a modest fashion blog

Ryan said...

We get lettuce, tomatoes, ground beef and beans, cheese. And kids eat them on flour shell wraps.

Haydensmommy05 said...

We make a line and I let my daughter "decorate" her own taco and we have rice with it. Nothing to exciting but she loves making her own and actually being allowed to play with her food!
haydensmommy05@hotmail.com

Haydensmommy05 said...

I follow youon twitter
haydensmommy05@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

We love taco night. We lay out all the fixings and let everyone make their own creation.

sweetone62406 at hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow on twitter @LLLSummer

sweetone62406 at hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I tweeted http://twitter.com/LLLSummer/status/27880087647

sweetone62406 at hotmail.com

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/27882111591

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/20:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/27935164602

Cathy said...

We set out all the fixings and use both hard and soft shells. We are taco lovers!

cbobbycat at yahoo dot com

Cathy said...

I am an email subscriber

cbobbycat at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Hi! We love tacos at our house as well! I'm the only one who likes the crunchy tacos, everyone else goes with soft tacos or burritos. We normally just do ground beef, lettuce, sour cream, tomatos when their in season or salsa. Cheese is everyones favorite. Sometimes we'll have black olives as a treat! Thanks! Paula
cornellfamily at centurytel dot net

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/27985278944

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

amy said...

We love tacos and taco inspired foods! We make "regular" tacos with both crunchy and soft tortillas, and we also do taco salads, layered tostadas (flat tortillas) and nachos. I also sometimes make a all-in-one taco dish (meat, beans, rice, vegies, cheese) that we eat in a bowl with chips.

creedamy at yahoo dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/21:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/28029221127

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/28359676183

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/22:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/28410298878

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/28456490735

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/23:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/28505972326

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/28544662425

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/24:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/28599643764

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/28653766454

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Melinda said...

We like to get everyone into the kitchen to help with the cooking. The kids love to help stir the meat and cut the toppings.

jmdanials (at) gmail (dot) com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/25:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/28692466175

Laura said...

For taco night, we add to the mood by playing a Mexican CD my husband and I bought on our honeymoon.

Laura

laurasu82 at yahoo.com

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/28754367750

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/26:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/28797212950

Aimee said...

We all eat together & we all "construct" our own tacos

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Aimee said...

follow you on twitter @pixie13sweeps

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Aimee said...

tweet 10/26
http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/28835152713

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

shirley said...

We try to have Taco-movie night.
supergrand2009@yahoo.com

shirley said...

Follow you on twitter @countrynest
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shirley said...

Email subscriber
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Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/28847415081

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Sheila Hickmon said...

We have taco night on our game night too. We let the kids make the taco when every thing is ready, they love it!

fineinsanity {at} live {dot} com

Sheila Hickmon said...

Twitter follower {mom2anutball}

fineinsanity {at} live {dot} com

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/27:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/28895834494

LAMusing said...

We haven't had an official taco night yet - but I'd make beans and rice to go along with the tacos.
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

we usually all cook it together then sit down to a movie and play boardgames afterwards


giveawaymommy at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/giveawaymommy/status/28925456544


giveawaymommy at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Email subscriber


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Unknown said...

I shared with my friends on facebook


giveawaymommy at yahoo dot com

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/28942103917


runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Aimee said...

tweet 10.27
http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/28943296409

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

HannahAchrissmile said...

We have taco night at least twice a month. Usually it involves eating tacos outside ( or inside now that it's getting colder out) and then snuggling up to watch a favorite tv episode on netflix.
Its one of my favorite meals!

aigcanada7 (at) hotmail [dot] com

HannahAchrissmile said...

tw http://twitter.com/#!/achrissmile/status/28959837848

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HannahAchrissmile said...

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=136178996432851&id=100000967177106

shared on fb

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HannahAchrissmile said...

subscriber via email

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skkorman said...

Taco night always goes great when there's a great movie to watch!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Mami2jcn said...

tweeted 10/28:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/28992657471

Julie said...

We have close friends over for a family taco night-great way to get together -we have tacos, of course, play games and have gab fests
thanks for the giveaway
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Mari said...

I follow via twitter (LuckyDuckyToo)


runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mari said...

I am an email subscriber.

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mari said...

http://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/29015196691


runningmatey at hotmail dot com