Turkey Taco Bake

Hold your breath...I actually made dinner last night!  My wonderful Mother-in-law sent me a package with a bunch of recipes and things from an Expo she went to in Claremore and I thought I really should try and make one of these!  (Thank you Duffy, and the candle thing smells amazing!)  I picked the one with the least amount of ingredients, littlest serving size, and minimal culinary skills required.  I chose to make a Turkey Taco Bake.  Now I thought it would be fun to take pictures and post them as I went but I was so overwhelmed with the whole cooking thing I totally forgot.  

It started with me going to the store with recipe in hand and buying exactly what it told me to:

2 cups coarsely crushed corn chips

1 can refried beans

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup salsa

2 cups shredded cooked turkey

1 teaspoon taco seasoning

1 green onion

1 medium tomato

I told you...minimal ingredients.  Now, you can't just buy 1 green  onion, you must buy a bundle but it's pretty cheap, $1.18 for a lot of it.  And I prefer the Fiesta Cheese which is a mix of like 4 cheeses and so good!  I got the Taco Bell taco seasoning, the cheapest tortilla chips on the aisle and a pound of lean ground turkey.  I was a little confused by 2 cups of shredded cooked turkey.  I looked at deli turkey, thought I might have to cook a turkey like it was Thanksgiving then use that, or buy pre cooked turkey stripes like I've been known to do with chicken, but they conveniently don't make those.  So I stuck with the lean ground turkey and figured I could just cook it in a pan and use that.  The entire bill for 1 meal was $17.00.  Not bad.  And there are enough left overs for a couple more meals ;-)  I just don't know how to downsize a recipe made for 4, for only 2 people.  

I start making dinner around 6, it takes about 20 - 25 minutes for it to bake.  The first step is to crunch up enough chips for 2 cups worth.  Okay not so bad, AW even enjoyed some that feel on the ground!  Then you put the chips into a "shallow 2 1/2 quart baking dish".  I unpacked very few kitchen items because well we don't cook, but for some reason actually had a 2 quart baking dish!  Thank goodness.  Although I did also peruse the aisles for a 2 1/2 quart dish (and mostly to compare them with the 1 dish I had) and they don't really make 2 1/2 quart dishes anyway!  crazy recipe!  

Okay on to step 2.  Then you cook the refried beans in a saucepan until heated throughout, then stir in 1 cup of cheese and salsa and spread over the chips.  Simple enough.  Then I had to cook the turkey which actually wasn't too bad.  It only takes about 5-7 minutes and you can use this stuff with everything.  I really do need to buy more of that stuff and cook with it, it's pretty good for you too.  Then you combine the cooked turkey and 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning.  Now I had to buy a bag of this taco seasoning and wasn't sure why I only needed a teaspoon so I added a bit more for flavor.  And what in the world am I going to need taco seasoning for anytime soon anyway.  The you put that on top of the "bean mixture".  And then sprinkle with remaining cheese and a chopped onion.  Now it's ready to go into the oven.  

But then dear hubby called and said he was just now leaving Tampa and the Garmin said he wouldn't be home until 7:34.  Of course he's like (because it's usually how dinner goes around here) "not sure if you want to go ahead and eat or we can go get something when I get home."  And I said, "Well I actually made something so it will be ready when you get home."  I think he was so shocked he was like, "what did you make?"  and i just said don't worry about it, it will be ready when you get here.  

So I waited until 7 to put it in the oven.  Meanwhile I (enjoyed 2 glasses of wine) made some Spanish Rice (just boil hot water, through the stuff in there and viola' Spanish rice) and a garden salad (from the bag of course).  Kyle gets home right on time and everything is ready.  He asks me what is in it and I tell him, refried beans, and he goes "I don't like refried beans."  And as his wife of 1 year and 9 months I should know that if I ever attempted to cook for him but I just looked at him confused and said, "but you get them at El Tequila all the time?"  and he said, "yes but i never eat them, you do."  OH right.   

Last step, cut up tomato and put on top after it's done baking.  However, I do know that hubby hates tomatoes so I made sure not to put any on top of his piece.  

We sat down for a wonderful dinner at home and just goes to show that he will eat something even if he doesn't think he likes it!  Because it is either eat what I made or make something yourself.  I am hoping this cooking thing catches on and I can practice some more meals.  Now I wished I had unpacked my red mixer, spice rack, utensils, baking pans, and mixing bowls!  

I am going to go enjoy some left over Turkey Bake now for lunch!   I can't promise any more attempts at dinner any time soon but I will let you know if I do.  And try to document the steps with pictures. My Aunt Linda is going to be so proud!!

Have a great Good Friday everyone!  Only 2 more days and you can have what you gave up for Lent.