Shop OEV and Make Weeknight Simple and Delicious! by Nicole Borland With school back in session and all of the other goings on in life, weeknight meals, let alone shopping for them, can be a challenge. Luckily, you have everything you need right here in OEV, and the following recipe simply couldn’t be easier. This taco skillet can be made out of a variety of ingredients and is a great way to use up leftovers - plus it comes together in less than 30 minutes! So, the next time you’re at The Market, peruse the many produce options like Turner’s or Common Ground, check out Metzger’s or Country Style Meats, and explore All ‘Bout Cheese for anything you need that you might not already have in the fridge or pantry.
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, chicken, beans, or veggie round 2 tomatoes, diced 1 white or yellow onion, diced 2 cups rice (leftover works great) ½ cup pickled jalapenos, chopped (optional) 2 tbs cumin (or to taste) 2 tbs chilli powder (or to taste) Salt to taste (if desired) 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 12 corn tortillas and/or a bag of sturdy tortilla chips Optional for topping: Cilantro, green onions, diced avocado, sour cream, hot sauce, salsa, refried beans. Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a cast iron skillet, sauté onions until translucent then add meat or beans and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on medium heat. Add rice, tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, spices, salt and stir to combine. Flatten the mixture into an even layer that covers the pan. Turn off the heat, add the shredded cheese topping and place into the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 15 minutes and and with 2 minutes on broil for some nice charred spots. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped green onion and cilantro if using, and let stand for 5 minutes. Enjoy for dipping or place a nice scoop in a tortilla, add desired sauces and enjoy! It’s that simple.
Plus, this dish can easily be made vegetarian by swapping the meat (in this case, I had leftover chicken), for beans or veggie rounds, or vegan by leaving out the cheese (I’d recommend adding dollops of refried beans for creaminess in this case). The options really are endless here and all you need to add are tortillas or chips, plus any sauces or accoutrements you may want for a simple and stress-free weeknight meal!
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Old East Villager September 2025 • Page 13
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