Skinny Cinco De Mayo: Taco Salad and Margaritas

Cinco de Mayo is this weekend, and what better excuse to eat lots of guacamole and drink margaritas? Since the chips, dip, and drinks are non-negotiables, I decided to make a taco salad to lighten the meal up. There are so many different ways to make a taco salad ranging from healthy to not-so-healthy to heart attack. I decided to make a healthier version of one that falls somewhere in the middle category. When I was a kid, one of the school lunch options was a "taco salad." This "taco salad" was a DIY situation that came in a styrofoam box and contained the following items: iceberg lettuce, salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream, beef chili, and one bag of nacho cheese flavored Doritos. I would carefully empty all contents in the styrofoam box, making sure the chips were crumbled into bite-sized pieces, then close the box, and shake it all up together. When opened, it looked like what you'd expect to find in a broken garbage disposal, but once that first plastic sporkful hit my tastebuds, it was nothing short of heavenly. I wanted to recreate something similar that would both satisfy my gustatory nostalgia (a la Swann's Way), while still appealing to my more sophisticated adult tastebuds. I finally decided on a salad using iceberg lettuce, lean ground beef, black olives, shredded cheese, pepper jack flavored tortilla chips, and a zesty homemade French dressing. It was perfect. Serve with chips and guacamole and a skinny margarita (recipe below).

Skinny Taco Salad
Serving Size: 1 salad (entire recipe)
WW PointsPlus Value: 5

2 oz cooked lean ground beef (seasoned with taco seasonings)
2 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 Tablespoon sliced black olives
1 Tablespoon lowfat shredded cheese, Mexican style
5 cherry tomatoes
3 flavored tortilla chips, crushed
2 Tablespoons French or Catalina style dressing

Directions:

Mix all ingredients and serve on a large plate (or in a styrofoam box). Enjoy with a skinny margarita (or two).


Skinny Margarita
Serving Size: 1 drink
WW PointsPlus Value: 6

2 oz tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz agave nectar
1 oz sparkling water
salt (optional, for rim)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and serve over ice with a lime slice for garnish.