This was a really yummy version of taco salad. And definitely lower in calories since it didn't have any deep fried chips/shell. I did use some Tortilla Factory Smart and Delicious Tortillas (found at Costco) with this salad and it didn't seem like they were really needed. It would have been a super filling dinner without the tortillas.
I enjoyed the salad. The rest of my family seemed to enjoy it also. My 4 year old ate it, so that is always a good test! :) It was not too spicy (I did not use jalapenos) and I liked that it wasn't super cold. This would be a great meal for the summertime, too. It did take a little bit of prep time to chop all the vegetables, but other than that it actually was much quicker than I thought it would be. I think it only took about half an hour from start to finish.
I will definitely be making this recipe again! :)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Na-cho Ordinary Taco Salad
Makes 8 lunch or 6 dinner servings
1 1/2 lbs extra-lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup ketchup
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
12 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 cup canned whole-kernel corn, drained
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1 cup shredded light cheddar or mexican blend cheese
1 cup quartered grape tomatoes
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1 small ripe avocado, peeled and sliced (optional)
1 cup each light sour cream and medium salsa
1. Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onions, jalapeno pepper, and garlic. Cook and stir until beef is no longer pink, breaking up any large pieces. Add chili powder and cumin. Cook 1 minute more. Add 2 cups grape tomatoes, ketchup, salt and pepper. Cook and stir for 2 more minutes. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
2. To assemble salad, spread lettuce over bottom of a serving platter (or individual plates if making single servings). Top with beef mixture, followed by corn, beans, green pepper, cheese, remaining tomatoes, green onions, and avocado slices, in that order. Top with sour cream and salsa just before serving.
Recipe taken and modified from
1 1/2 lbs extra-lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup ketchup
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
12 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 cup canned whole-kernel corn, drained
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1 cup shredded light cheddar or mexican blend cheese
1 cup quartered grape tomatoes
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1 small ripe avocado, peeled and sliced (optional)
1 cup each light sour cream and medium salsa
1. Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onions, jalapeno pepper, and garlic. Cook and stir until beef is no longer pink, breaking up any large pieces. Add chili powder and cumin. Cook 1 minute more. Add 2 cups grape tomatoes, ketchup, salt and pepper. Cook and stir for 2 more minutes. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
2. To assemble salad, spread lettuce over bottom of a serving platter (or individual plates if making single servings). Top with beef mixture, followed by corn, beans, green pepper, cheese, remaining tomatoes, green onions, and avocado slices, in that order. Top with sour cream and salsa just before serving.
Recipe taken and modified from
Albertson's Doubler Run Take 2
Since I came to the realization that you could get Albertsons Twice the Value coupons at the store, I decided to take advantage of that and pick up a few more things today. A note about the different transactions: You can only do 3 transactions at a time per store, so I had to go to two different Albertsons. This is what I got today:
Trans. #1
Emerald Almonds
On sale for $2, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = FREE
Emerald Mixed Nuts
On sale for $2, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = FREE
Emerald Cashews
On sale for $2, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = FREE
2-Athenos Hummas
On sale for $1.99 x 2 = $3.98, coupon for $2/2 from HERE = $1.98
TOTAL OOP $1.98
Trans. #2
Kikkoman Soy Sauce
$2.49, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = $0.49
Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce
$2.49, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = $0.49
2-Kikkoman Ponzu Sauce
$3.29, B1G1 (up to $3) from HERE x 2 = $0.58
Tabasco Sauce
On sale for $1.89, coupon for $0.75/1 peelie off of Wholly Quacamole plus doubler = $0.39
5-Finish Dishwashing Detergents
On sale for $2.99, coupons for $2.25/1 from Sunday paper inserts x 5 = $3.70
Tax $1.06
TOTAL OOP $6.71
Trans #3
Welch's Fruit Snacks
On sale for $2.19, coupon for $0.50/1 from Sunday paper insert plus doubler = $1.19
2-Dannon Activia Yogurt-4 pack
On sale for $2.29, coupon for $1/1 from Sunday paper inserts x 2 plus doublers x 2 = $0.58
TOTAL OOP $1.77
NEW STORE:
Trans #1
Tabasco Sauce
On sale for $1.89, coupon for $0.75/1 peelie from Wholly Guacamole plus doubler = $0.39
2-Dannon Activia Yogurt-4 pack
On sale for $2.29, coupon for $1/1 from Sunday paper inserts x 2 plus doublers x 2 = $0.58
TOTAL OOP $0.97
Trans #2
Duncan Donuts Coffee
Clearance from Christmas for $4.99, coupon for $1.50/1 from Sunday paper insert = $3.49
3-Colgate Toothpaste
On sale for $0.99, coupons for $0.50/1 x 3 from Sunday paper inserts plus doublers x 3 = FREE (-$0.03)
Tax $0.13
TOTAL OOP $3.59
Trans #3
3-Colgate Toothpaste
On sale for $0.99, coupons for $0.50/1 x 3 from Sunday paper inserts plus doublers x 3 = FREE (-$0.03)
3-Finish Dishwashing Detergents
On sale for $2.99, coupons for $2.25/1 from Sunday paper inserts x 3 =$2.22
Tax $0.91
TOTAL OOP $3.10
TOTAL OOP FOR ALL TRANS. = $18.12! SAVED $105.77
Not too shabby!!
Trans. #1
Emerald Almonds
On sale for $2, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = FREE
Emerald Mixed Nuts
On sale for $2, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = FREE
Emerald Cashews
On sale for $2, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = FREE
2-Athenos Hummas
On sale for $1.99 x 2 = $3.98, coupon for $2/2 from HERE = $1.98
TOTAL OOP $1.98
Trans. #2
Kikkoman Soy Sauce
$2.49, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = $0.49
Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce
$2.49, coupon for $1/1 from HERE plus doubler = $0.49
2-Kikkoman Ponzu Sauce
$3.29, B1G1 (up to $3) from HERE x 2 = $0.58
Tabasco Sauce
On sale for $1.89, coupon for $0.75/1 peelie off of Wholly Quacamole plus doubler = $0.39
5-Finish Dishwashing Detergents
On sale for $2.99, coupons for $2.25/1 from Sunday paper inserts x 5 = $3.70
Tax $1.06
TOTAL OOP $6.71
Trans #3
Welch's Fruit Snacks
On sale for $2.19, coupon for $0.50/1 from Sunday paper insert plus doubler = $1.19
2-Dannon Activia Yogurt-4 pack
On sale for $2.29, coupon for $1/1 from Sunday paper inserts x 2 plus doublers x 2 = $0.58
TOTAL OOP $1.77
NEW STORE:
Trans #1
Tabasco Sauce
On sale for $1.89, coupon for $0.75/1 peelie from Wholly Guacamole plus doubler = $0.39
2-Dannon Activia Yogurt-4 pack
On sale for $2.29, coupon for $1/1 from Sunday paper inserts x 2 plus doublers x 2 = $0.58
TOTAL OOP $0.97
Trans #2
Duncan Donuts Coffee
Clearance from Christmas for $4.99, coupon for $1.50/1 from Sunday paper insert = $3.49
3-Colgate Toothpaste
On sale for $0.99, coupons for $0.50/1 x 3 from Sunday paper inserts plus doublers x 3 = FREE (-$0.03)
Tax $0.13
TOTAL OOP $3.59
Trans #3
3-Colgate Toothpaste
On sale for $0.99, coupons for $0.50/1 x 3 from Sunday paper inserts plus doublers x 3 = FREE (-$0.03)
3-Finish Dishwashing Detergents
On sale for $2.99, coupons for $2.25/1 from Sunday paper inserts x 3 =$2.22
Tax $0.91
TOTAL OOP $3.10
TOTAL OOP FOR ALL TRANS. = $18.12! SAVED $105.77
Not too shabby!!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Albertsons Doubler Run
So I went to Albertsons today with the "Twice the Value" coupons from the "junk mail" that I got in my mailbox on Tuesday. I couldn't figure out how all these people online were able to get their hands on multiple mailers/ads so they could get more coupons. Then I remembered that they are in Albertsons weekly ad, so anyone can get as many as they want in the store! This is GREAT news for all of you who want to take advantage of this, but don't get the Sunday paper. They are good through Saturday, so go grab some and get some free/cheap stuff!! :)
This is what I got today:
3 Finish Dishwashing Soaps
On sale for $2.99, had 3- $2.25/1 coupon from the Sunday paper = .$0.74 each or $2.22
2 Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauces
$2.49 each, had 2- $1/1 from HERE plus 2 doublers = $0.49 each or $0.98
2 Kikkoman Ponzu Sauces
$3.29 each, had 2 B1G1 from HERE up to $3 = $0.29 each or $0.58
Emerald Mixed Nuts
On sale for $2, had a $1/1 from HERE plus a doubler = FREE
-$2 OYNO (on your next order/purchase) catalina from a couple of weeks ago
$0.52 TAX
TOTAL OOP (Out of Pocket) $2.30
SAVED $30.94!!!
This is what I got today:
3 Finish Dishwashing Soaps
On sale for $2.99, had 3- $2.25/1 coupon from the Sunday paper = .$0.74 each or $2.22
2 Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauces
$2.49 each, had 2- $1/1 from HERE plus 2 doublers = $0.49 each or $0.98
2 Kikkoman Ponzu Sauces
$3.29 each, had 2 B1G1 from HERE up to $3 = $0.29 each or $0.58
Emerald Mixed Nuts
On sale for $2, had a $1/1 from HERE plus a doubler = FREE
-$2 OYNO (on your next order/purchase) catalina from a couple of weeks ago
$0.52 TAX
TOTAL OOP (Out of Pocket) $2.30
SAVED $30.94!!!
Freezer Storage Cheat Sheet
Frugal Living NW shared a link on their Facebook page that has a Freezer Storage Cheat Sheet printable on it! This will be great to have in the kitchen so that I can reference it when pulling food out of my freezer. Hopefully this can help you, too! :)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Feast from the East Review
This was a good recipe if you like spicy hot food. Well, it was spicy to me at least (which isn't saying much since I find many things spicy!). My boys thought it was kind of spicy, also, but my husband really liked the spice. It was an okay recipe I thought. Good vegetable content and I did like the steak aspect of it. I used the "vegetable" spaghetti noodles instead of the whole wheat noodles and thought it turned out good that way. I have made whole wheat noodles in the past and didn't like them very much. I probably will not make this recipe again. Not because it was a BAD recipe, it just wasn't a recipe that I would want to eat again (and I am sure my children would back me up on that!). :)
Feast from the East
Makes 6 lunch or 4 dinner servings
Dressing
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp grated gingerroot
2 tsp orange zest
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp each salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes
Salad
8 oz uncooked whole wheat spaghetti
1 lb sirloin steak, grilled and cut into strips
2 cups small broccoli florets
1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
1 cup peeled, seeded and diced cucumber
1 cut grated carrots
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1. Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain. Rinse well with cold water and drain again. Transfer spaghetti to a large salad bowl and toss with remaining ingredients. Add dressing just before serving and toss again.
Recipe taken from
Dressing
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp grated gingerroot
2 tsp orange zest
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp each salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes
Salad
8 oz uncooked whole wheat spaghetti
1 lb sirloin steak, grilled and cut into strips
2 cups small broccoli florets
1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
1 cup peeled, seeded and diced cucumber
1 cut grated carrots
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1. Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain. Rinse well with cold water and drain again. Transfer spaghetti to a large salad bowl and toss with remaining ingredients. Add dressing just before serving and toss again.
Recipe taken from
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