Make a Picnic Style Taco Salad For Your Next Gathering and Bring Home an Empty Bowl

Do you run out of ideas for pot luck dinners or picnics? If you do, read on.

The summer season is always bringing us invitations to barbecues, family reunions among other friend and family gatherings. Most likely, you all can think of some of your own gatherings right now. Almost always everyone is asked to bring a dish or two to pass.  Put Luck we call it.



Recently, we had a huge family picnic and I decided it would be a great idea to bring a Picnic Style Taco Salad. I thought it would be nice to break up the same ole dishes, usually, we bring a potato or macaroni salad, maybe a dish of rigatoni or desserts.  This time we brought our summertime favorite. A nice big bowl of green leafy lettuce, taco meat, and some yummy fixings.

The picnic style taco salad was a big hit and everyone loved it. It really is a great idea for larger gatherings. It costs a little more than the average salad, although, if you plan ahead and purchase the nonperishable ingredients while they are on sale it can be cost-effective.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef seasoned as you normally would for tacos then sit aside the meat to cool.

1 large head of lettuce cut into bite-size pieces

1 large tomato diced into bite-size pieces

1 8oz package of shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 onion sliced thin *optional

1 - 8 oz Kraft Catalina

1 - 8 oz Kraft or any other french dressing

1 large bag of tortilla chips

1/2 cup sliced black olives *optional

Directions:

Put the taco seasoned warm (not hot) meat into a very large bowl. (I use a roaster and have plenty of room to stir.)

Cut, dice or slice the lettuce, tomato, and onion. Combine into the same large bowl.

BEFORE opening tortilla chips crush them into bite-size pieces using your hands. Then add to the salad mixture.

Add shredded cheese

Add sliced black olives if desired, into the salad mix.

Add both the Catalina and french dressing.

Blend all ingredients thoroughly, although do not over mix.

For the desired taste, this should be eaten within 4 hours. However, the ingredients are good for 3 more days.

This recipe can be doubled or tripled providing you have the right size dishes, Enjoy!