(sadly) Looks so-so but tastes great.

Tried cooking another Mexican dish yesterday. In the cooking challenge, to do well, your dish must look really good. Might be even more important than taste.

This one has a really nice flavor and satisfaction level. Just doesn't do it for me in the photogenic category. However, if you like one dish meals and "Mexican flavor" this one is a tasty you might like to make for the family.





Mexican Ground Beef, Calabacita Squash and Poblano Casserole

Mexican Calabacita Squash can be hard to find. They taste differently than zucchini and the texture is different.



Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
4 ounces Chorizo sausage
3 mexican calabacita squash, julienned with mandolin slicer
2 poblano peppers, roasted, skin removed and rough diced
1/2 small onion, diced
2 Tablespoons Jalapeño pepper, diced
2 Tablespoons green bell pepper, diced
2 Tablespoons red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup mild tomato salsa (I used chunky Pace Picante sauce)
2 cups mexican blend mixed cheese
1/2 cup oxaca cheese shredded
1/4 cup monterrey jack cheese, shredded
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Mexican Seasoning:

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
1 Tablespoon Lawry’s garlic salt
1 Tablespoon Adobo seasoning
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 Tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cilantro


Directions:

Slice the Mexican calabacita squash into 1/8 inch julienned slices with mandolin, salt lightly with adobo seasoning and cook in oven or microwave until slightly tender (partially cooked)

Lightly oil and roast the poblano peppers in the oven for 20 minutes at 450F. Remove, place in plastic bags for 10 minutes until cooled, then peel, de-seed, remove stems, and dice into 1/4 inch pieces.

Brown Ground beef, seasoned with salt and black pepper, crumble and set aside.

Dice onions, bell peppers and jalapeños. Set aside.

Mix beef, squash, onion, bell peppers, jalapeños, salsa and cheeses, reserving 1 cup of the mixed blend cheese.

Add to a 9 X 9 inch oven proof bowl, sprayed with Pam Oil. Add remaining Mixed Cheese blend over top of casserole.

Cook in a 350 degree F oven for 40 minutes, until casserole is bubbly done.

Serve.