Taco of the Town Taco Salad

Recipe summary

This is a multi-step recipe. Spiced sour cream and taco bowls may be made a day in advance, but other components (taco beef and salsa) are best if made fresh. This recipe makes 6 dinner-size servings. Per serving: 587 calories, 18.4 g total fat* (7.5 g saturated fat), 36 g protein, 61 g carbohydrate, 14 g fibre, 83 mg cholesterol, 742 mg sodium *Much of this fat comes from the heart-healthy avocados! You may use reduced-sodium store-bought taco seasoning if you prefer, but it is simple to make your own!

Preparation time:
Cooking time:
Yield: 6

Ingredients

Taco Beef

• 1 1/2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
• 1 cup chopped red onions
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, minced
• 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (see recipe below)
• 2/3 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
• 1/3 cup ketchup

Chunky Avocado Salsa

• 2 cups quartered grape tomatoes
• 2 large avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
• 2/3 cup minced red onions
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper

Spiced Sour Cream

• 1 cup light (5%) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning (see recipe below)
• 1/8 teaspoon grated lime zest

Salad

• 12 cups chopped romaine or mixed lettuces
• 1 cup canned corn, drained
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup packed shredded light sharp (old) cheddar cheese (4 oz/113 g)

Tortilla Bowls

• 6 whole grain tortillias
• 1 to 2 tbsp olive oil
• taco seasoning (see recipe below)

Taco Seasoning

• 4 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder