Taco Salad

1/2 cup mayonnaise, can use low fat

1/2 cup sour cream

1 -2 tablespoon milk, depending on your thickness preference

2 tablespoons minced tomatoes

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons canned jalapeno slices, minced

1 tablespoon finely minced onion

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

This recipe (minus the dressing) came from melskitchencafe.com. It was probably the best taco salad I've ever had, no lie! We halved it for our family, but you can easily freeze whatever you don't use. Definitely make the dressing, it was really good on it!!!

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey

1 medium onion, chopped

6 cups water

1 cup rice (white or brown)

1 teaspoon oregano

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce

2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste

1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Southwest Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise, can use low fat

1/2 cup sour cream

1 -2 tablespoon milk, depending on your thickness preference

2 tablespoons minced tomatoes

1 tablespoon vinegar

2 teaspoons canned jalapeno slices, minced

1 tablespoon finely minced onion

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions: I just threw everything in the blender until smooth. Add more milk if you like it thinner (I added a couple more tablespoons). I also halved it for just Ryan and I.

1/2 cup mayonnaise, can use low fat

1/2 cup sour cream

1 -2 tablespoon milk, depending on your thickness preference

2 tablespoons minced tomatoes

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons canned jalapeno slices, minced

1 tablespoon finely minced onion

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/southwest-ranch-salad-dressing-167319#ixzz1NywywnRQ

1/2 cup mayonnaise, can use low fat

1/2 cup sour cream

1 -2 tablespoon milk, depending on your thickness preference

2 tablespoons minced tomatoes

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons canned jalapeno slices, minced

1 tablespoon finely minced onion

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/southwest-ranch-salad-dressing-167319#ixzz1NywywnRQ

1/2 cup mayonnaise, can use low fat

1/2 cup sour cream

1 -2 tablespoon milk, depending on your thickness preference

2 tablespoons minced tomatoes

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons canned jalapeno slices, minced

1 tablespoon finely minced onion

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/southwest-ranch-salad-dressing-167319#ixzz1NywywnRQ

1/2 cup sour cream

1 -2 tablespoon milk, depending on your thickness preference

2 tablespoons minced tomatoes

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons canned jalapeno slices, minced

1 tablespoon finely minced onion

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/southwest-ranch-salad-dressing-167319#ixzz1NywywnRQ

Directions:

1/2 cup mayonnaise, can use low fat

1/2 cup sour cream

1 -2 tablespoon milk, depending on your thickness preference

2 tablespoons minced tomatoes

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons canned jalapeno slices, minced

1 tablespoon finely minced onion

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/southwest-ranch-salad-dressing-167319#ixzz1NywpBU6D

1/2 cup mayonnaise, can use low fat

1/2 cup sour cream

1 -2 tablespoon milk, depending on your thickness preference

2 tablespoons minced tomatoes

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons canned jalapeno slices, minced

1 tablespoon finely minced onion

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/southwest-ranch-salad-dressing-167319#ixzz1NywpBU6DDirections:

In a large pot, brown the ground beef or turkey with the onion and garlic and cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. Drain any accumulated grease. Add the water, rice, seasonings, tomato sauce, tomato paste and beans. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, watching to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot (if you are using brown rice, it may need to simmer for up to 60-70 minutes). The mixture will seem very watery at first, but after simmering, it will thicken to perfection as the rice absorbs water and all the ingredients meld together.

I layered chips on a plate, then meat/beans, followed by taco toppings (lettuce,cheese,tomatoes,onions,avacados,etc), then drizzled with southwest dressing.