Beef Tacos with Sriracha-Tzatziki sauce

 So, remember when I said that I loved watching Ming?  Well, there are many times in which I want to reach through the television and grab what he's making (most notably when he was making donut recipes a couple weeks ago...!!)  If you have never watched his show, he has a unique format in which he chooses two "flavors" or ingredients, one from the East and one from the West, and finds creative and innovative ways to combine them.  This specific episode, Ming was working with Sriracha and Greek yogurt - two ingredients that I find rather tasty!

Just last night Nicholas was craving some Sriracha, and once again, rummaging through the fridge, freezer, and cupboards, we settled on Sriracha chicken and fried rice (which turned out rather well).  All that to say, I guess we're on a few day "Sriracha spree" here!  Who knows.  Something in the next few days might materialize with some of that spicy red sauce in it.  ;)

This recipe, unlike the last one, is almost exactly what Ming made.  Although he made it with ground lamb (which wasn't available at the store I was at, and last I used lamb, sadly, :( I had a negative comment...), I used ground beef, as it's much more readily available and is standard amongst many Americans.  The sauce gives a great taste to this otherwise "standard" dish!

Beef Tacos
1 1/4 lbs ground beef
1 red onion (finely diced)
1 jalapeno (finely minced)
3 gloves garlic (minced)
1 tsp fresh ginger
2 tsp cumin
salt
pepper
olive oil
juice of one lemon

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat.  Allow oil to heat (not too much, but enough to create a thin layer on the bottom of the skillet).  Toss onions, jalapeno, garlic, ginger, cumin, and season lightly with salt.  Saute until lightly browned.  Add beef, seasoning with salt and pepper, and allow to cook fully.  Before removing from heat, toss the lemon juice over and stir.

Sriracha-Tzatziki sauce
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 - 2 tbs sriracha sauce (more if you like it extra spicy!)
1 cup cucumbers (finely diced)
zest of one lemon
salt and pepper to season

In a bowl, combine yogurt, sriracha, cucumbers, and zest.  Stir.  Season with salt and pepper (stirring again).

Heat tortillas in the oven or on the stove (in the microwave if you really want to speed-up the process!) until warm.  Serve with iceberg lettuce (maybe even some tomatoes or cilantro!).  You could even make this an appetizer and use small tortillas.  :)