Projo Football Food & Spirits

1/2 pound each lean ground beef and chorizo sausage (or use 1 pound beef and omit sausage)
1 large onion, chopped
Salt and pepper
Hot pepper sauce (optional)
1-pound can refried beans
1 tablespoon canned diced green chili peppers
1 cup shredded Mexican mixed cheese like Jalapeno
Prepared taco sauce, to taste
1 medium-sized avocado, peeled, mashed and mixed with one tsp lemon juice.
Sour cream
Chopped green onions, white and green parts, to taste
Pitted ripe olives, to taste
Green or red chili peppers, to taste
8 cups fried tortilla pieces or corn-flavored chips

Crumble beef into a 1 1/2 -quart casserole. Remove casings from sausage, cut into small pieces, and add to beef. Cover with a lid or wax paper. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Drain off fat. Add large chopped onion and stir, bringing cooked meat to inside of casserole.

Microwave, covered, on high for 3 minutes. Drain off fat and sprinkle to taste with salt, pepper, and hot pepper seasoning.

Spread out beans on a rimmed 10-inch plate. Top with meat mixture. Sprinkle with diced chili pepper and cheese. Microwave, uncovered, on medium for 4 to 5 minutes or until heated through.

Drizzle with taco sauce. Top with avocado mix, defrosted, sour cream, green onions, olives, and chili peppers. Tuck some tortilla chips around the edges of the bean mixture to make a petaled flower effect. Place remaining tortilla chips in a basket to pass at the table. Serve immediately. Scoop up with tortilla chips; keep platter hot on an electric warming tray, if desired. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

-- Florence Archambault of Newport

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