The Ultimate Taco Filling

This recipe is inspired by my family as we are typically very busy, and love a quick weeknight meal. One of our favorite nights of the week is Taco Tuesday, so I wanted to put a spin on our weekly meal with this recipe. We often use many dishes, pots, pans, and utensils, and as the dishwasher, I do not want to slave over at the sink when we are done. After testing this recipe out, I knew it would be a hit in my house, and I hope to make it one in yours as well! Enjoy, and happy cooking!

• Large, high sided skillet with a lid (I used a 12-inch Lodge cast iron skillet)
• Cooking spoon (solid, not slotted)
• Cutting board and knife to prepare ingredients
• Cheese grater
• Can opener (depends on what brand of canned goods you buy)
• Teaspoon measuring spoon

• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 teaspoons of chile powder
• 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of salt, plus more to taste
• 1 pound of ground turkey, dark meat preferred
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
• A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce
• About 5 ounces of sharp yellow cheddar and monterrey jack cheese (a little more doesn't hurt)

• Using dark meat turkey or chicken means that the meat will be juicy and not dry.
• Ground beef, chicken, or pork could also be used in this recipe. Use leaner meat though!
• Instead of a tortilla, serve this over rice!
• Adding in the spices before the meat allows for the spices to bloom and intensify their flavor.
• Chopping items in the same step in like sizes means they cook at the same time! Chop smaller for shorter cooking time, or larger for longer cooking time!

Before any cooking takes place, all mis en place must take place! Mis en place means put into place, but in cooking, it is used to say prepare all ingredients before cooking. Take about five minutes or so to cut up your peppers, onions, and garlic, open the cans, rinse/drain the beans, measure out the seasoning, grate the cheese, and prepare everything close to your cooktop to save time as you are cooking.

1. Heat up a large skillet on medium high, and add the olive oil.
2. When the pan and oil are heated, add in the peppers and onions. Cook about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the pepper lightens in color.
3. Add in the garlic. Cook about a minute, or until the garlic is fragrant. Stir continuously so the garlic does not burn.
4. When the garlic is fragrant, add your chile powder, cumin, and salt.
5. After a minute or so, add in the turkey. Break up the meat, and cook for about 5-7 minutes.
6. About 5 minutes into the meat cooking, add in the tomatoes. Stir, and after a few more minutes, add in the beans. Stir to combine then cover the pan. The steam will help soften the beans and tomatoes.
7. After about 3 minutes covered, take off the lid and add the hot sauce. Add as little or as much as you like!
8. Stir in the hot sauce, and then flatten the top of the mixture. Cover with cheese, and then put the cover on the pot and turn the flame off.
9. After two minutes, remove the cover and serve. Enjoy!