taco pie = gringa greatness

I am a lover of the idea of casseroles. Take anything in your fridge, chop it up & saute it, throw it in a dish & bake it. Bake pasta in it, throw it on rice. Cheese is undoubtedly a requirement. Eat it for breakfast the next day, give it as a birthday gift. This evening's Taco Pie was great - inexpensive, balanced, filling, and easy. Chop & sweat onions, garlic, jalapenos, bell peppers. Brown 93/7 ground turkey, add cumin, oregano, chili powder, s&p, add black beans and the onions, garlic, jalapenos, green peppers. Oven at 375. 8X8 pan lined with crescent roll dough. Fill in the pan with the meat mixture, cover with grated medium cheddar and crumbled chips. Bake covered for 30 minutes, uncovered for 8. IMPORTANT = let it sit for 5-8 minutes out of the oven before going to town. It will be slightly congealed, sliceable, yet still piping hot. Add sour cream dollops, avocado slices, salsa, MORE cheese. Put on some tunes and get sexy with it, this casserole is lovin'.

Pee-your-pants-awesome variations: add little potato chunks, broccoli florets, corn, peas, include serrano peppers instead of or along with the jalapenos, mix salsa in the ground beef, use pinto beans instead of black, use leftover grilled steak chunks, add refried beans, top with grated pepper jack. You can't mess this up.