Taco Salad from Jane Stagg

I am making this for Brady's birthday party.

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained of fat
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 avocado
2 tomatoes
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, any flavor that you like
1 bag of crunchy lettuce
1 can of kidney beans, drained
1 sm. can sliced olives
1 1/2 c. crushed tortilla chips
1 1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 1/2 c. salsa
1/2 lime

Mix browned beef and taco seasoning. Layer ingredients in a salad bowl, in this order:

Lettuce, beans, olives, chips, cheese, beef, tomatoes, avocadoes. Mix the mayonnaise, salsa, and the juice of half a lime together and serve as the dressing. Yummy!!! This makes 4 large servings, maybe 6.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

1 box Red Velvet cake mix
1 small box white chocolate instant pudding mix
4 eggs
1 c. sour cream
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. water
1 t. vanilla

Place all ingredients into mixer. Mix on low speed for one minute. Scrape down sides and bottom of mixer. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape sides as needed. Place into pans or cupcake pans or whatever you are using. I bake cupcakes at 350 degrees for 24 minutes. I am going to frost them with cream cheese frosting:

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 stick butter
1 t. vanilla
1 lb. powdered sugar

Bring the cream cheese and butter to room temperature. Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds or until combined. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. It's easier to add the sugar gradually so it doesn't puff up out of your machine and get all over the kitchen. Be sure not to over mix because it can get runny. This frosting is easier to work with if you chill it a bit too.

Another Good Cupcake Place

Here's another fancy cupcake place:

Cakes de Fleur
3340 S 300 W, Ste. 6
(801) 474-CAKE

They also sell cakes at Emigration Market, The Store, and Pirate O's in Draper.

P.S. Thanks for the tips on free & $0.31 ice cream this week! I enjoyed both! Now where for free ice cream today???