A Quick Meal: Lazy Cheesey Taco Dip

It's midwinter and I am sick of cooking creative meals.  Of course that means we could order delivery, but when my conscious gets the better of me that means I still have to cook.  Now, any day (or every day) of the week Eric and I have no problem eating tacos.  In fact there have been several weeks we had chicken tacos, then beef, then pork... then leftovers!  Why not?  Add a little guacamole and you've got a feast.  Plus it's easy.

But the recipe I want to share with you is even lazier than tacos.  That's right.  Lazier.  I mean, some days you just can't make your own individual tacos.  Having to physically layer the meat, then cheese, then all those toppings, FOUR TIMES?  Blech, I am tired just thinking about it.  No, some days you just need to take some chips, and dip.  Enter lazy taco dip... it's easier than prepping all those pesky shells, and equally delicious.  AND it's healthy!  We are fans.

Okay, let's do this.

Lazy Cheesey Taco Dip

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 pepper, diced
• 1/2 onion or 1 bunch scallions, diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup of spinach (per taco bowl)
• Your choice of cheese (American or cheddar is my favorite)
• Hot sauce of your preference
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla chips for dipping
• Other taco dipping condiments

Step One: Make taco meat.  I saute the pepper and onion for a few minutes, then add the meat and brown it.  Add contents of the seasoning packet when there's a bit of pink left.

Step Two: Put a cup of spinach in the bottom of a bowl, add meat on top (you choose how much you want), layer cheese on top (not too much).

Step Three: Microwave for 1 minute, mix everything in bowl together, grab your chips and dipping paraphernalia (I recommend guacamole and sour cream), and you're done!  If you are against microwaves go ahead, layer it in a pyrex and heat it in the stove.  But then it's not quick, just easy.

Remember to add some hot sauce if you want, and as always, enjoy!


*this has been an R&E original

Playoff Time: Steak Bomb Pizza or Nachos!

This will be short.  Same story, different month... so many recipes, so little time.  However, this recipe was too amazing not to post as soon as possible.  Combine that with football playoffs and you really can't go wrong.  Whether you make these for nachos, pizza,  or just eat it plain, any way you choose, there is no way you won't enjoy!

Steak Bomb Topping

• 1 lb shaved steak
• 1 pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cups chopped raw spinach
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pepperoni (optional topping) 
• Tortilla chips, pizza crust, or nothing

If making nachos or pizza:

• Shredded mozzerella
• 2 slices American Cheese

Heat the butter in a pan with the onions and peppers, mix until beginning to soften.  Then add the steak and spices except the soy sauce.  Continue to mix and separate meat into small bits.  Once there is only a small amount of pink left add the soy sauce and spinach, mix for one minute, and turn off heat.

Now the choice is yours... either heap the steak on top of tortilla chips, or on top of your pizza crust that has been prepared already.  Then break the American cheese into pieces and place evenly on top.  Next place pepperoni on top as well.

Last comes the mozzerella, amount to your discretion.  Place in the oven at 450 until cheese is melted.

Take out and try to let cool before you eat!

*this has been an R&E original