We had one of my favorite things ever for dinner the other night — taco salad!
My mom has been making this salad for us for as long as I can remember.
It’s not exactly healthy (cheese and corn chips are involved), but it’s delicious and has always been one of my absolute favorites. Getting kids to eat salad/veggies in any form is definitely a win.
The ingredients are:
- Lettuce/mixed greens
- Tomatoes (chopped)
- Kidney beans (drained/rinsed)
- Grated sharp cheddar cheese
- Fritos corn chips, crushed
- Catalina dressing
You can up the nutritional ante a bit by adding in some spinach to the salad as well, or by using a bagged mix that has other veggies included (ours had carrots).
Use as much or as little of the cheese and corn chips as you like; no measurements are involved here.
To crush the corn chips, we just put them in a ziplock bag, seal it, and crush them using our hands and the counter. This step is fun for kids; it was usually my job. 🙂
Even though fat free Catalina dressing is pictured above, I’d recommend using regular full fat dressing. It tastes way better and fat free dressing usually just has extra sugar/salt/weird things added anyway to still make it taste decent. The fat free kind was just what we had available in the cupboard.
Taco Salad
This crunchy, flavorful taco salad is easy to throw together - the perfect quick lunch!
Ingredients:
- Lettuce/mixed greens
- Tomatoes (chopped)
- Kidney beans (drained/rinsed)
- Grated sharp cheddar cheese
- Fritos corn chips, crushed
- Catalina dressing
Instructions:
- You can up the nutritional ante a bit by adding in some spinach to the salad as well, or by using a bagged mix that has other veggies included (ours had carrots). Use as much or as little of the cheese and corn chips as you like; no measurements are involved here. To crush the corn chips, we just put them in a ziplock bag, seal it, and crush them using our hands and the counter. This step is fun for kids; it was usually my job. 🙂
- Even though fat free Catalina dressing is pictured above, I’d recommend using regular full fat dressing. It tastes way better and fat free dressing usually just has extra sugar/salt/weird things added anyway to still make it taste decent. The fat free kind was just what we had available in the cupboard.
Mmmm… this salad makes me so happy.
Senior year in college, I took a public speaking class, and for one of the classes our assignment was to demonstrate something to the class.
My demonstration was a step-by-step lesson on how to make this taco salad! I gave everyone a taste after I made it — it was a huge hit. 🙂
We enjoyed the taco salad with mini steaks that my mom cooked up for us — a tradition as well. Simply seared in a pan with some salt and pepper.
Tasty dinner. I only ended up eating half the steak and feeding the rest to my dad — but I went back for seconds on the salad. 🙂
I asked my mom where she originally got the salad recipe idea, and she had no idea — apparently it was just a popular well known salad recipe back in the day.
Have any of you guys ever had a variation of this salad?
I’m continuing to enjoy my vacation from school — it’s so nice to be home. Last night, I met up for drinks with a bunch of my good friends from high school. Love these ladies. 🙂 We had a blast catching up, as always!
From left — me, Jenny, Lara, Dinah, Joy
Today’s big plan is wedding dress shopping! Jenny (pictured above) is my MOH as you all know and will be joining me, my mom, and my grandmother for the adventure. I’m excited. 🙂
Oh, and guess what? I’m currently typing this from my dad’s stationary bike. I discovered this morning that the top of the bike is big enough that I can easily prop my laptop on top of it! Multitasking win.
Have a great day, friends!
What’s your favorite childhood/family meal?
