patty's botanas

we finished these up last night. they are SO GOOD. I think Matt and I are going to have to make double-the-recipe when we have this because I seriously think we could eat a whole pan as a meal! I am going to try it with ground turkey--I'll let you know how it goes.

I am actually kind of sad that we don't have more of this to eat tonight!!! granted, we'll be spending yet another evening at Lowe's (and maybe target and the grocery store) and we're getting our dinner to-go, but man this was yummy. the onions on top were an EXCELLENT addition. mmmmmmm.

PATTY'S BOTANAS:

You will need:
- Tortilla chips -- only enough to form a single layer on the bottom of your casserole dish
- Bag of shredded cheese - Patty uses the Colby-Jack mix.
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1-2 cans refried beans
- 1-2 large tomatoes
- 1 white onion (vidalia, or other sweet onion)
- sour cream
- avocado

Preheat oven to 375

1) Place chips on bottom of medium ungreased casserole dish in one layer with the edges touching or slightly overlapping. Sprinkle on a very small amount of cheese over all chips, and place the casserole dish in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or just until the cheese has melted enough for the chips to be "glued" together.
2) Brown ground beef, drain, add taco seasoning and water, and reduce (follow directions on taco packet) - set aside
3) Microwave beans until they are stirable/spreadable - set aside
4) Cut tomatoes in half - squeeze gently over trash or sink to remove most of wet seeds (or else you will water down the casserole). Dice tomato halves.
5) Slice onions in rings, or half-rings - 1/4-1/2 inch thick

To compose casserole:
1) Carefully spread beans over glued chip layer - depending on how large your casserole dish is (or how much you like beans) you will need 1-2 cans.
2) Spread seasoned ground beef over beans
3) Sprinkle tomatoes on top of beef (use as many as you like - somewhere between 1-2 tomatoes)
4) Place onion slices on top of tomatoes (use as many onions as you like - I like a lot)
5) Cover with remainder of shredded cheese

Bake uncovered 375 for 15-20 minutes until hot, and just starting to brown. Let it rest for a couple minutes before cutting or it will be a big mess! Top with sour cream and slices of avocado.