I saw this recipe on the Food Network and the firefighters making it for the crew used ground turkey. I made it vegetarian by substituting TVP. TVP is textured vegetable protein. You can get it at Down To Earth or any health food store. It comes as dry flakes.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. olive oil

2 cups TVP, reconstituted with 2 1/2 cups water

1 large onion, diced

2 ripe tomatoes, chopped

2 cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 package dry Taco seasoning

I used Bearitos brand -- you can use Schilling available at or Mexican section of most grocery stores.

Sauce: equal parts Thousand-Island dressing mixed with your favorite salsa (I used a soy based dressing which I got at Down To Earth)

Instructions:

1. 1 cup cooked brown rice, or you can use white rice
2. 1 large head of lettuce, iceberg, green, or red lettuce chopped coarse several handfuls of tortilla chips, broken
3. Saute onions in olive oil over medium high heat for about 5 minutes, until they are translucent and just starting to turn golden.
4. Add the reconstituted TVP, mix well continue to heat through.
5. Add beans, mix well.
6. Add taco seasoning. If this is too dry, add a little water as needed.
7. Add rice and mix well.
8. Turn off the heat.
9. To serve: Start with a bed of lettuce, chips and tomatoes. Top with TVP/bean mixture. Add sauce. Enjoy!