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Fiesta Beef Torta Ole
Shirley DeSantis
NEW JERSEY
Preparation Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

2-1/2

 

pounds ground beef (90 percent lean)

 

 

Dough*

1

 

package taco seasoning mix, reserve 1 teaspoon for dough

1

 

can (16 ounces) refried beans

1

 

cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2

 

tablespoons cornmeal

2

 

tablespoons reserved beaten egg

1-2

 

tablespoons pine nuts, if desired

2

 

jars (8 ounces each) taco sauce

 

 

Shredded lettuce

 

 

Cherry tomatoes

 

 

Ripe olives


Prepare dough. While dough rises, prepare the beef filling. Brown ground beef slowly in large frying pan; drain, if necessary. Add remaining taco seasoning and 1 cup water; simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans and cheese, blend well. Cool slightly.

Heat oven to 350°. Generously grease a 9-inch springform pan. Fold a 30 x 6-inch piece of heavy tin foil in half lengthwise; fasten foil around top of the pan to form a collar extending about 2 ½ inches above the rim of the pan (as for soufflé); generously grease inside of foil. Dust bottom and sides of pan with cornmeal; discard excess. Punch down dough; divide into three pieces. Pat or roll our each piece of dough to form a 9-inch circle. Fit first round into prepared pan and press at the edge to form a slight rim. Spoon in half of the beef filling, spread evenly almost to edge of pan. Top with a second round of dough on the top; cover and let rise in a warm place until dough is puffed, 25-35 minutes. Score top of torta with a sharp knife into 8 wedges. Brush with reserved egg and sprinkle with pine nuts, if desired. Bake 40 minutes or until dough is deep golden brown. Remove foil and springform rim from torta; place torta on serving platter. Surround with a ring of shredded lettuce, garnished with cherry tomatoes and olives. Heat taco sauce; serve with torta. 8 servings

NOTE: Place a square of foil around the bottom outside and about ½ inch up the outside of the pan; this avoids a messy oven in case of an occasional ring-seal leak. 

*DOUGH

 

 

3-1/4 to 3-3/4

 

cups unbleached flour

3/4

 

cup yellow cornmeal

1/4

 

cup packed brown sugar

2

 

packages active dry yeast

2

 

teaspoons garlic salt

1

 

teaspoon taco seasoning mix, reserved from filling

3/4

 

cups milk

1/4

 

cup margarine

2

 

eggs beaten


Prepare dough as follows: Ina large bowl of an electric mixer, mix ¾ cup flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, yeast, garlic salt and 1 teaspoon taco seasoning. In saucepan, combine milk, 1/3 cup water and margarine; heat over low heat until mixture is very warm (120° to 130°). Margarine does not need to be melted. Add mixture gradually to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Turn out on a lightly floured board; knead until smooth and elastic, 5 to 8 minutes.

Funded in part by The Beef Checkoff   ©2010 Cattlemen's Beef Board.