Haystacks

This is another favorite recipe from the Managing your Meals cookbook. It is a "taco" version to the Hawaiian haystacks.

1 pound lean ground beef

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

3 1/4 cups water

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon crushed dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin seed

1 teaspoon chili powder

3 dashes Tabasco sauce

1/4 cup uncooked long grain rice

1 package (11 1/2 ounces) com chips

Assorted garnishes: sour cream, grated Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese, sliced ripe olives, sliced green onion, diced avocado, diced green pepper.

Directions:

In large skillet cook together ground beef, onion, and garlic until beef loses its color and onion is soft; drain off excess fat. Add remaining ingredients except com chips; cover and simmer 20 minutes. Serve over com chips with any desired garnishes. Makes 6 to 8 servings.