Baked 7 Layer Mexican Dish

Cinco de Mayo is next month, and I have planned a special recipe for that day.  This baked 7 layer Mexican dish was and continues to be a favorite easy recipe that I learned to make from my mom. Many of the recipes for 7 Layer Mexican dips/dishes are served cold, but this recipe is baked to make a complete dinner.

Baked 7 Layer Mexican Dish ~

Layers:

1.  Refried beans
2.  Cooked chicken or ground beef
3.  Avocado mixture
4.  Sour cream or plain yogurt
5.  Tomatoes
6.  Black olives
7.  Cheese (I like to use colby-jack)


Ingredients:

1  16oz can organic refried beans

1 lb. grass-fed lean ground beef (cooked with 1/2 pkg. taco seasoning mix or use my recipe listed below**  (Optional: Substitute with cooked shredded organic chicken)

2  avocados  ( add 1 T. lemon juice, 1/4 tsp. sea salt*, and 1/8 tsp. ground pepper), and mix in blender until smooth.

1 cup organic sour cream

1/2 large organic tomato, cubed

1/2 can black olives, drained and rinsed well

2 cups shredded organic cheese (your choice)


Preparation:

Cook the ground beef with taco seasoning ahead of time and set aside.  Blend your avocado mixture and also set aside.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  

Use a 7 x 11 inch baking pan and begin layering the pan with the refried beans for the bottom, then add the ground beef on top of the beans.  Spread avocado mix next, and add the sour cream layer.  Add the tomatoes and black olives.  For the last layer, sprinkle the grated cheese over the top.

Bake at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes.  Serve with warm tortilla chips.


*Recipe for homemade taco seasoning mix:  Make your own taco seasoning mix to control how spicy you want this recipe to be or if you don't have a taco seasoning mix handy. This recipe makes the equivalent of a 1 1/4 oz. package of seasoning mix. 


Ingredients:

1.  1 T. minced dried onions
2. 2 tsp. chili powder 
3. 1 tsp. garlic powder
4. 1 tsp. arrowroot powder* ( healthier than cornstarch, a GMO) 
5. 1 tsp. ground cumin
6. 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Stir all ingredients and put in a container in cupboard.  Use in any recipes requiring seasoning for tacos, Mexican dishes or dips, or if you just want to put a kick in your food.


Enjoy,
Lauren xoxo