Drinks, Food, Recipes, Wine

You CAN Win Friends with Salad – Taco Salad that is…

Taco Salad 2

According to the Bart Simpson song from ‘Lisa the Vegetarian,’ You Don’t Win Friends with Salad! (link goes to YouTube)

While we love the Simpson’s, my husband and I have to disagree with their song. The following take on Taco Salad is sure to be a crowd pleaser whether you are cooking for a large group of friends, your family, or making dinner for one.  After all, who doesn’t like things topped with crushed chips and cheese!?

The following recipe will feed 4 hungry salad eaters.


INGREDIENTS

  • 1-2 Tbs. Olive Oil
  • 1 lb. Ground Beef or Turkey
  • 8 oz. Salsa, plus more for topping salad
  • 1 – 15oz. Can Red Kidney Beans (optional) – Drained and well rinsed
  • 1 – 5oz. Tub of pre-washed Organic greens (look ma!, no washing or chopping!)
  • 6 oz. Baby Carrots – Sliced
  • 4 oz. Radishes – Sliced
  • 4 oz. Cherry Tomatoes – Halved
  • 1-2 Cucumbers – Thinly Sliced
  • 1 Red or Yellow Bell Pepper -Chopped
  • 1 Avocado – Diced
  •  
  • Other optional/additional vegetables include:
  • Mushrooms
  • Red Onion
  • Black Olives
  • Black Beans
  • Cheddar Cheese – Shredded
  • Crushed Corn Chips to top
  •  
  • Recommended Salad Dressing:
  • Blue Cheese
  • Honey Mustard
  • Catalina
  • Vinaigrette

PREPARATION

  1. Heat olive oil in large skillet on medium heat then add meat to brown.  Half way through browning, add salsa to flavor meat. Once meat has cooked, remove from heat and set aside.
  2. In large individual bowls, compile salads in the following order:
    Salad Greens, Carrots, Radish, Cucumber, Tomato, Bell Pepper, Ground Beef, Beans, Cheese, Avocado, Salsa or Dressing, and Chips.
  3. The best way to make these salads is individually to each persons liking, as my Mom and I did when I was growing up.  Dad – no radishes. Mom – no carrots. Me – well I liked it all. Of course, the salad can be one that represents health and better caloric decisions for you and your loved ones but I like it best smothered in avocado, cheese, and crushed chips.  Currently, I prefer mine topped with Honey Mustard but my Mother would insist that this is not our family’s traditional recipe if it doesn’t get dressed with Catalina dressing.  One may ask, what is Catalina dressing?  Well it basically consists of Tomato Soup, (most recipes from the 1960’s used Catsup – yes – Catsup) Pepper, Salt, Sugar, Vinegar, Worcestershire, Paprika, and Onion. BLECH!
  4. Any way you dress it, this salad can become a weeknight staple that takes on a life of its on and will definitely win friends and influence people.

Thanks and Happy Fooding!
Sondra