Family Tradition Taco Salad 1970's Recipe

This recipe is from Home EC - the Jr. High School years from the 1970's and has been a family tradition ever since then.  We made it for special occasions like birthdays and family get-to-gethers.  It is quick, easy and delicious.  We recently added sour cream and green onion to top it off perfectly!

Gathering Ingredients for a Family Favorite - Taco Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. Ground Beef
• 2 lbs. Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• Sour Cream - to taste
• 2 Bags Fritos Scoops
• 1 Large Can of Tomato Sauce + 1/2 can hot water
• 2 Lawry's Taco Seasoning Packets
• Cayenne Pepper - to taste
• 2 Cans Black Olives - drained and sliced
• 5 Large Ripe Tomatoes -washed and chopped
• 3 Heads Romaine Lettuce - washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
• Green onion -washed well and chopped

Brown the ground beef well.

Using Hamburger Patties for the ground beef.

When the ground beef is browned add the taco seasoning packets, the can of tomato sauce and half a can of hot water.

Add taco seasoning and tomato sauce.

Stir the meat mixture well and let simmer for at least 20 minutes.  The longer you simmer it, the better tasting it will be.  We have made this in the morning, adding a full can of hot water and letting it simmer all morning and reducing down to a thick meat mixture by the time we are ready to eat.  What a wonderful smell!  Everyone is absolutely starving by suppertime.

Stir well and let simmer for a long time.

While the meat mixture is simmering get the salad portion of the taco salad ready and chilled.  Start by grating the cheese.

Freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese.

Slice the olives, chop the tomatoes and gently mix into the grated cheese.  Cover and chill in fridge until it is time to serve. Chop the green onions and retain separately to be added atop the sour cream, if desired.

Wash and tear the Romaine lettuce.  Use ice cold water for your final rinse to crisp the lettuce nicely and set aside in the fridge.

Freshly washed Romaine

Prepare your plate in 4 steps.

Step #1:  Spread a handful of Fritos on your plate.

Step #2:  Pour a large ladle-full of steaming meat over the Fritos.

Step #3:  Add a good amount of Romaine.

Step #4:  Top with the cheese, tomato and olive mixture.

Sprinkle Cayenne pepper over the whole salad if you like a little heat.
Note:  We recently made sour cream and green onion additions to our Traditional Recipe.  We love it!

Delicious Taco Salad

So satisfying and mouth-watering delicious!