Taco Salad

Olives and chilies on top

  For a quick lunch or evening meal try Taco Salad. The Better Homes and Gardens All Time Favorites list this recipe as a favorite in the 1960’s. 

  I used the recipe almost as it is written and you could use it and alter to your families taste as well. We thought it was a little mild, I had used mild taco sauce and added some Salsa to spice it up some. It would be fine for younger children the way it is written. Bettie added green chili peppers to hers. I am not a fan of refried beans and thought the drained canned beans worked well. I used pinto beans and they tasted fine. These work equally as well in tortillas or in a dish as a salad.

  I did make the tortilla cups in the oven on the back side of my muffin pan. I ate mine as a salad on a plate so as not to eat the flour tortilla. A few corn chips make up for the crunch you are missing. 

  My daughter, Amy stopped as I was getting it all together and though the tortilla cups were “cool”, shows how old she is getting. They worked well, but should have baked a little longer than the 8 minutes the directions call for. Be sure to check yours at the time listed.

Taco Salad

Cooling on the pan

½ pound lean ground beef

3 cloves minced garlic

1 15 ounce can kidney or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 8 ounce jar taco sauce

¾ cup frozen whole corn if desired

½ to 1 tablespoon chili powder

6 cups shredded lettuce

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 large green pepper, chopped

Toppings of your choice, Shredded cheese, olives, sour cream, salsa, avocado

  Brown and drain ground beef, add the beans, and garlic, corn if using and the taco sauce. Bring to boiling, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

  Heat oven to 375°. Put muffin pans in to warm. Heat 4 flour tortillas 30 seconds wrapped in a paper towel in the microwave. Remove, lightly oil with your fingers on both sides. Gently place between muffin cups on the bottom side of your pan. Place in oven and bake for 5 to 8 minutes (we felt it was not quite long enough) or until golden brown. Cool a few minutes and remove and fill with your salad.