Beef and Kidney Bean Taco Salad

So, I have been cooking this simple meal for 12+ years.  Before my husband and I were married, one of my best friends would come over on a weekly basis - same night, just about every week.  She was not much of a cook, and I was still an amateur at the time, but I loved being in the kitchen even though I didn't have a ton of experience under my belt. I was determined to find good, quick and easy recipes and once I did, I would find myself cooking them again and again.  This was one of her favorites that she would request time and time again.  I loved her request because it was one of the simplest meals I could whip up in a jiffy, yet it was oh-so-good.  Just for old-time sakes, I used 'spicy doritos' to add some extra flavor and spice {as I always would make this recipe with spicy doritos}.  Since I find myself trying to steer clear of doritos anymore, I have lately used regular or blue tortilla chips {or none at all}.  I always top with store bought salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese and sour cream, but do as you may. I would suggest cheese and salsa, at the very least. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning 
• 1 {15 oz} can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 {4 oz} can diced green chiles
• 1 head green or red lettuce, rinsed and shredded into large pieces 
• 1 bag tortilla chips {try a spicy nacho if you are daring}
• shredded cheese
• salsa 
• guacamole
• sour cream

Directions:

1. In a large stovetop pan over medium-high heat, brown ground beef until slightly pink. Drain fat from beef. 
2. Place beef back into stovetop pan over medium heat.  Add taco seasoning packet with 1/2 cup water.  Mix well.  Cook until beef is no longer pink.
3. Add rinsed and drained kidney beans to ground beef mixture.  Add diced green chiles.  Stir to mix together.  Cover and cook on medium-low for 10 minutes or so, or until kidney beans are slightly softened.  
4. On a dinner plate, arrange a bed of tortilla chips topped with lettuce.  Spoon a desired amount of ground beef mixture onto lettuce bed.  Top with shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole and a dollop of sour cream.  

Enjoy!