Holy Guacamole!!

Furthering my obsession with Mexican Food:


My friends visited Friday night, and instead of going to Tortilla Flats, I'm making Mexican at Home.  I'm making burritos again (don't judge me!) with a little twist - I decided to mix the refried beans into the meat mixture instead of layering it.  I can't wait to eat them!!


To go with the burritos, I decided to make a couple of sides.  I bought some sour cream, I made a fresh batch of salsa and some GUACAMOLE!!!


This is probably one of the easiest versions of guacamole you can possibly make.  I first saw guacamole made on Barefoot Contessa, and I made it her way the first time....Since then, I've changed it and made it my own (basically I've made it the lazy [yet delicious] way....)!!  So here goes!!


Guacamole 
Ingredients

• 3 ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup small diced onion (red is best, but vadilia will do the trick)
• finely chopped jalapeno pepper (however many you want - I used only 1/2 of one pepper)
• 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes (I had bought grape tomatoes today, so I just chopped some of those up)
• Kosher Salt
• Ground Black Pepper
• Lemon or Lime Juice

The Method
Halve the avocados, remove the pits, and dice the avocado while it's still in the shell.  Then scoop the diced avocado right into the bowl.  Immediately pour the lemon or lime juice over the avocados to prevent them from browning (I believe the technical term is oxidizing).  Add in the chopped onion, jalapeno pepper, tomatoes and a little bit of salt and pepper.  Mix everything together (you can either mash up the avocado, or just mix it lightly - do it however you want to get the consistency you want).


Taste the guacamole and add more salt and pepper if needed.


Viola!!

Guacamole - left a little on the chunkier side, ready for some chips and burritos!!!

Enjoy!!

Burritos!!!

Every time I've made "burritos," I ended up making the meat, and served the burritos "Help-y Self-y" style....That meaning that everything is out in buffet style and you just fix it the way you want it.  I think my mom coined that term.  Either way, this time I decided to try something different!  I(Note:  Whenever I've told Scott, "I tried something new," he has always cringed.  This time, not so much!)


The Recipe
1 red pepper, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1/2 vidalia onion, diced
1 pkg (20-oz) lean ground turkey
1/2 packet taco seasoning (the kind you can buy in the spice aisle, not the kind you get in the taco packs)
1 15-oz can refried beans
Shredded cheddar cheese
10 burrito tortillas


The Method to my Maddness
Saute the peppers and onion in a little bit of oil until softened (add in some jalapeno peppers if you like the spice!).  Add in the ground turkey, breaking it up and cooking it well.


Add in the taco seasoning and about 1/2 cup of water, and cook until a sauce is created.


Once the meat is cooked and ready, start layering your burritos:  On each tortilla, put about 1-2 Tbsp of refried beans, some of the meat (enough to make a full burrito, but not some much that you can't roll it) and some shredded cheddar cheese.  Roll the burritos (folding in the sides first) and place them seam-side down in a baking dish.  Bake at 325-350 for 15-20 minutes.


I made half of my burritos with cheese and the other half without.  Whichever I put cheese IN, I put cheese ON in the pan, just for purposes of knowing which was which.  Also, I bought "medium" sized tortillas, so I had trouble folding in the sides...


Variation
My dad makes this recipe but instead of putting the refried beans directly onto the tortilla, he mixes it into the beef.

Only half of the burritos were left when I took this picture....But there they are!

With 1 Tablespoon of Sour Cream, each burrito has the following in terms of nutrition facts:  Calories: 291, Carbs: 32, Fat: 10, Protein: 18, Fiber: 6, Sodium: 656.  For you Points Plus people: 7 Points Plus

Now that's what I call dip

This may well be some of the best Mexican dip that you'll ever eat.  I often make it for parties, and I also find myself making it for us on a random football Sunday (My sister Stephanie originated the recipe, so I can't take full credit - that would go to her!!):

In a 9x13 pan, layer the follow ingredients (they are listed in order of which you should put them in the pan):

1 can refried beans
2-3 avocado, mashed w salt and lemon/lime juice
1 pint sour cream
~1/3 packet taco seasoning
Shredded cheddar
Diced tomatoes
Black pepper
Diced jalopeno pepper
Chopped olives
Chopped scallions

1 bag of tostito scoops

And that's what they call delicious.  Enjoy!!