No one openingly admits they love Taco Bell without a small feeling of shame. Who would like to proclaim that they like grade d beef? Well folks, I'm out and I'm proud. I love Taco Bell. I think it's one of life's pleasures: a greasy soft taco with some cinni twists on the side. I also am in love with the new Doritos Locos tacos, nacho cheese not cool ranch (I never understood why people like cool ranch Doritos).
I wanted to try something new this week for our recipe of the week so I want to recreate a Taco Bell favorite of mine, the Mexican Pizza. It's such a clever idea and I hope my homemade version measures up.
Enjoy!
Jen
Supper Sister's Mexican Pizza!
makes one pizza
- 2 flour tortillas (you can use whole wheat)
- 1 can refried beans (if you want to make your own check out this recipe... I use canned)
- 1/2 lb of ground beef
- Taco seasoning (recipe below)
- Red Enchilada Sauce (recipe below)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Diced Tomatoes
- Diced Onions
- Cilantro
In a large pan saute beef with taco seasoning until cooked. Remove from heat
Heat another pan up over medium high heat. Add a small amount of olive oil and sear the flour tortillas on both sides (roughly 2 minutes per side) until they are a light golden brown.
Remove from heat and place on a cookie sheet lined with foil. Spread a layer of refried beans on one tortilla. Place the ground beef on top of the refried beans. Place the second tortilla on top of beef. Spread a layer of enchilada sauce on top. Sprinkle with tomatoes, onions, cheddar cheese.
Place under the broiler set on high until cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and cilantro.
Taco Seasoning
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
Red Enchilada Sauce
1 tablespoons olive oil
2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons flour
1 15 ounce can of purreed tomatoes
1 1/2 cups lower sodium chicken broth
3/4 teaspoons garlic powder
3/4 teaspoons onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons cumin
- In a large sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add chili powder and flour whisking constantly to combine. Mixture will be a thick paste
- Slowly add in a small amount of tomato sauce whisking constantly until the paste has dissolved. Once the paste is combined, add the rest of the tomato puree and chicken broth. Whisk to combine.
- Add in the rest of the spices, stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat
Watermelon, Feta, Arugula Salad
Supper Sister's Mexican Pizza!
Well I'm ashamed to admit..... I bought my kabobs pre-assembled. I know... so LAZY. They were just staring at me in the Whole Foods case saying: "buy me... buy me...I look so yummy". So I bought them and they were delicious. I did however make that delicious glaze. I love ginger. Most things I was served in China had ginger in it and it is so refreshing. I think I am the only person who enjoys ginger ale when they don't have a stomach ache. Perhaps it's from having it so much as a kid at my grandma's house. So back to the lazy kabobs. I had one with chicken and one with swordfish. I would highly suggest eating more swordfish. It gives you that steak feeling without the steak calories. Also, the swordfish tasted amazing with the terriyaki glaze. Finally, for all you apartment dwellers like myself, don't say I can't make this because I don't have a grill. I did! With my amazing grill pan that gets so much use this time of year!!
I'm back everybody!! Sorry for the long hiatus, but apparently in China no blogging allowed... I know what you are wondering... How was the food? What was your favorite? Where did you spend your last meal in China?!?! Well, let me share with you. I have a strange obsession when I travel. It's completely absurd especially since I parade around as being so into good food, but it's an interesting obsession. When I'm abroad, I am fascinated in what the local McDonalds has to offer. I want to see how different it is in other countries I'm not going to lie...I'm a huge fan of the nugget and I will tell you this, they love the nugget around the world. 
For my last meal in China, I stopped at the local Mickey Dee's at the airport. It was the busiest of the different food outlets, a close second was the Popeye's next store. The only Popeye's I've seen in the U.S. is either on Street Road in Bensalem or right next to Fenway Park. I counted five, yes FIVE, just in the airport. The most spotted chain food store in China was the Colonel himself and his wee beety eyes (So I Married An Axe Murderer reference for those of you scratching your head), Kentucky Fried Chicken. People love this man over there, especially the American style potatoes with sauce (mashed tatters and gravy for us here). 
I digress. Back the Mac's. There were a lot of local items on this menu that I would never find at home. First of all, happy meals with some nugs and french fries at home is boned chicken wings, side of corn and warm milk in China. I was most intrigued by this item called the White Burger there. They had advertised a white burger and a black burger. As interesting as the black burger looked, I stuck with the white burger. The black burger was a beef patty, sweet onions, and a sweet and sour sauce. Having gotten severe food poisoning from a burger at Checkers when I was kid, I cannot get burgers at a fast food restaurant The white burger was a fried chicken patty, mashed potatoes, mushrooms, and tangy spicy sauce. It sounds so wrong, but sweet Jesus, it was oh so good. I won't openly say this was my favorite meal in China but it was definitely up there. 
