Taco Salad

This was one of my favorites growing up. And yet I can't tell you how many times I call my Mom every year to get this recipe from her. I keep losing it. So, although you may have this recipe I need to keep it somewhere safe. Like on a foodblog. Plus it is just plain delicious. I used to love it and now my kids love it too.

A few tips -- unless you are going to eat it right away, wait to add the frito chips and lettuce until right before eating.

1 lb cooked and well seasoned ground hamburger -- room temperature
1 can drained kidney beans.
1 to 1 1/2 Cups cubed cheddar cheese
1 cucumber peeled and cubed
2 tomatoes chopped
1 can olives drained
3 green onions  sliced.
3/4 cup salsa
2 Tb french dressing or catsup
1 bag frito lays
2 cups shredded lettuce

Combine all ingredients. Make sure your hamburger is not too hot or it will melt your cheese and wilt your cucumbers. Toss Gently. Serve immediately.

If you want to add the lettuce on top or on the bottom -- instead of in the taco salad -- you will be able to save leftovers.

Yum! Maybe it will be one of your new faves.

Tomato Powder --My New Pantry BFF

A Quick Reminder: Don't forget to enter the giveaway for $50 in Thrive food products. Enter HERE

Who knew tomato powder was so awesome? I am pretty sold on the Thrive tomato powder I received to review from Your Own Home Store. I am a hoarder of tomato products. I store tomato sauce, paste, pizza sauce, stewed tomatoes and now tomato powder.

Tomato powder is cool because it has a ridiculously long shelf life and I don't have to worry about cans with puffy tops that have gone bad. Oh I am keeping my cans too but now I know I have something in my food storage that lasts longer and stays safe longer than canned liquids.

Plus -- So easy to use. Add water to achieve the desired consistency and spices to taste and voila a lovely paste, sauce or marinara. You can also use the powder in other ways but I was challenged to recreate my saucy egg recipe and so I did. I also got some freeze dried mozzarella to try with this recipe. That stuff is pretty cool melted too. I am not sure I am all for eating it just straight rehydrated. But it is awesome melted. I couldn't even tell the difference between my normal melted mozzarella and the freeze dried rehydrated in this recipe.

So here is how easy it is to use.

2 cups water
1/2 cup tomato powder.
Spices to taste.
I used basil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper. Sorry, I didn't measure I just kind of seasoned by eye and taste. That is pretty much how I roll with homemade marinara.
Still, here is a good recipe for marinara from tomato powder

Saucy Eggs Recipe

Mix powder, water and spices in large saute pan. Heat until  sauce starts to bubble around edges. Add eggs on top of tomato sauce. Add 1/2 cup freeze dried mozzarella on top of eggs and sauce.

Cover and cook until eggs are desired doneness. Do not overcook or your sauce will get to thick.
This tasted really good and the eggs were beautifully poached and saucy as always. I love that this is an easy and affordable meal I can make straight from the food storage. Add some waffles and you have a filling meal.