Texas Taco Platter

This recipe is wonderful for a big crowd or family get together and has a beautiful presentation. I typically use my large bar pan which is 15 1/2" x 10".

Ingredients

• 2lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes, with liquid
• 12 oz can tomato paste
• 15 oz can tomato puree
• 2 T chili powder
• 2 tsp Cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 28 oz can Ranch Style Beans (or pinto beans, see recipe here)
• 1 pkg of corn chips
• 2 cups rice, cooked
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 head lettuce, shredded
• 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup picante sauce or hot sauce, optional

Directions

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown ground beef and large onion; drain. Add diced tomatoes, paste and puree, chili powder, Cumin, garlic powder and salt. Simmer for 1 hour. Add beans and heat through.

On the large bar pan, layer the corn chips, rice, meat mixture, cheese, onion, lettuce and tomatoes. Serve with picante or hot sauce, if desired!

This can be doubled if you are feeding a bigger crowd! A family favorite!

Variations:

• Several times I have omitted the tomato sauce, puree, and can of tomatoes and instead added two cans of Ro-tel in their place, and it has become my preferred choice.

Taco Ring

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pkg taco seasoning mix
• 1 cup (4 oz) cheddar cheese
• 2 Tbsp water
• 2 8 oz refrigerated crescent rolls

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375
• Brown ground beef and drain grease.
• Stir in taco seasoning, water and cheese.
• Unroll crescent rolls and separate. Arrange triangles in a circle on a round baking stone with wide ends overlapping in center and points toward the outside. There should be about a 5 inch diameter in the center. (start with North, South, East and West, then place one NE, SE, NW, SW, then fill in the rest of the gaps with the remaining crescent roll triangle pieces)
• Scoop meat mixture evenly onto widest ends of dough at center of ring. Bring points in and over and tuck underneath the wide end.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
• You can garnish with bell pepper, lettuce, salsa, tomatoes, onion, sour cream, olives, etc.

Variation: You can also add refried beans to the ring before placing the meat, some have also added mexican corn as well.