Taco Bake

Taco Bake

CRUST:
2 cups flour
1 pkg. instant yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp.)
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. minced onion, fresh
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. crushed corn chips (Fritos were used in demo I saw)
2/3 c. very warm water - not hot but not lukewarm either
2 Tbsp. olive oil

In a food blender, combine flour, yeast, sugar, onion, salt and corn chips. Pulse to combine. With motor running, pour in water and oil. Pulse to mix until dough comes together in a ball. Spread in a greased, 9-inch cake pan across bottom and up the sides. Cover with a towel and let sit in a warm area (not on oven) for 30 min - 3 hours.

FILLING:
1 pound hamburger
1 envelope taco seasoning or homemade (see Taco Seasoning recipe)
1/3 c. water

Cook hamburger, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain off fat (and/or wash with hot water) and add taco seasoning and water. Combine thoroughly and simmer 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to bake.

Pour meat into crust and bake 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees or until golden brown. Serve with salsa, grated cheese, sour cream, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and avocado chunks.

Taco Seasoning

I don't usually use packaged taco seasoning - except for recipes that call for it, but if you do, here's a recipe to make your own and it's SIMPLE... plus you probably have most everything on hand. An added bonus... there aren't any additives, like packaged taco seasoning has a lot of times. The lady who made it said she sometimes makes 8-10 times the recipe and then just scoops out 2 Tbsp (which is what this should makes) for each pound of meat. Anyway, I'm using it for a Taco Bake today... thought I'd share.

Taco Seasoning:
2 tsp. dried, minced onion
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper (can omit or lessen if you want it less spicy)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/3 c. water

Use in place of 1 envelope of taco seasoning after 1 pound of ground turkey or ground beef is cooked. Add the 1/3 c. water and simmer with the cooked ground meat.