Turkey Taco Casserole

I always try to keep a balance, in my life and on this blog, of healthy and indulgent. I’ll post apple cranberry crisps one day and chocolate gingersnap tarts the next, or rich and creamy macaroni and cheese but balance it with a winter ribollita soup. So since I just posted incredibly chocolaty PMS Cookies a few days ago, today I’m giving you all a healthy turkey casserole. Which, as it happens, is going to be my lunch today as well.

Start by browning turkey in a large skillet, draining off any excess fat when browned.

Add a small can of spicy v-8 and some taco seasoning, then mix thoroughly and cook a bit longer.

 

Mom’s Tacos

In honor of moving my blog to it’s own fully self-hosted domain (hooray!) I’m posting another family recipe: my mother’s tacos. Slightly spicy, well seasoned, they’re fantastic. Also, please, PLEASE, do not use premade taco seasoning. It’s way too salty, and making your own is incredibly easy. I recommend using Alton Brown’s recipe.

First, start by browning a pound of ground beef, then pour off all of the excess grease.

Add some salsa, taco seasoning, and a can of spicy (or not, as you prefer) V-8.

 

Great Guacamole

The title of this post makes me want to exclaim Great Guacamole, Batman! But that’s probably only me, and will go away once I completely wake up. In the meantime, I’m envisioning various Batman roles as mexican foods, so am thoroughly amused.

On to the food! This is Alton Brown’s guacamole recipe, and it’s pretty darn good. The few changes I made were substituting salsa for tomatoes, leaving out the jalapeno for a spice-intolerant friend, and added extra garlic. It worked out pretty well for us, though I’d add the jalapeno without seeds in next time for more flavor.

Start by halving, peeling, and seeding the avocados. Then toss it in a bowl with the juice of one lime, minus one reserved tablespoon of the juice.

Next, add kosher salt, cumin, and cayenne, then mix and mash everything together.

 

Chorizo Fillo Shells

Tonight I had a few friends over for dinner, and whipped up a new appetizer and thought I’d share. The idea of it is chorizo (though I used vegetarian-friendly soy chorizo), mixed with some cream cheese for creaminess, pepperjack for cheesy spiciness, and salsa for a bit of tomato and extra spice. Then for a container, I decided on stuffing won-ton wrappers, but couldn’t find any, so got phyllo (fillo?) shells.

So, to start: brown the meat, or fry the soy fake stuff in a bit of oil and get it hot.

Then add the cream cheese, pepperjack cheese, and salsa over low heat and stir until melted.