Loaded Potato Olés

From the double pork rollup to ribs that get rubbed and cooked for hours, we enjoy a good cooking challenge that takes lots of effort and provides a good reward. Sometimes though, you've got to enjoy something that comes together easily, doesn't take a whole lot of preparation, and is just plain old "fast food" style fun.

With that in mind, we recently decided to put together our own version of a Taco John's favorite by making the Six-Seven-Eight version of loaded potato olés.

For this easy-yet-awesome dinner, you'll need:

• Frozen hash brown patties (of course you can shred potatoes, form them into patties, and then fry or bake them yourself, but we're going for quick and easy here!)
• ½ pound ground beef (or whichever ground meat you prefer for tacos – chicken, turkey, or chorizo also work great)
• Your preferred taco seasoning packet
• 1 can nacho cheese sauce (if you'd rather make your own cheese sauce, check out our roasted pepper queso recipe here)
• 1 can black olives
• 1 bunch green onions, diced
• 1 can refried beans
• ½ cup jarred jalapenos (because they aren't cooked, jarred actually works better here than fresh)
• Mexican crumbling cheese (usually found in the specialty section of the store and not with the regular block cheese)
• Sour cream
• Guacamole (see recipe below)

This comes together very easily, mostly being a heat-and-assemble meal. Just cook your beef with whatever taco-style seasonings you like, then heat up the refried beans and cheese.

I've mentioned this before, but it's absolutely worth saying again and again - don't buy store guacamole! The cheap dip kind isn't any good, and the fresher kind that's mostly avocado will run you $5 or $6. For less than that you can make your own, and your homemade version will be better than the best the store has to offer.

For the guacamole you'll need:

• Two avocados
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 serrano pepper, diced (alternatively use jalapeno, or for a less spicy taste anaheim)
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 3 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Remove the avocado's skin and pits and then mash them together with the lime juice and seasonings. Salt and pepper to taste and you've got restaurant quality guacamole!

While the beef is cooking and the guacamole is coming together, pop the hash brown patties in the oven. You could also sprinkle on some taco seasoning or seasoned salt for more flavor.

Once the hash browns are cooked through and the olives and green onions are sliced you're ready to put it all together. These can be as pretty or messy as you want - stacked tall or kept minimalist (can you guess which direction we like to go?).

Start with a layer of beans and meat, arrange the veggies, pour on the cheese, sprinkle on some of the Mexican crumbling cheese, and then spoon sour cream on one side and guacamole on the other.