Meat Sauce
Ingredients:
(whole recipie makes enough for ~8 people, half for up to ~4)

Half	Whole	Ingredient
1/2 lb.	1 lb.	ground turkey meat
1/2	1	1 oz. packet of taco seasonings  suggested: Lowry's Taco Seasoning (1 packet ~12 tsp) If you are really ambitious, you can make your own seasoning mix using: Paprika, Cumin, Oregano, Chili Pepper, Onion, Garlic
1/2 to 1	1	16 oz. can refried beans (regular variety tastes best)
1/3 cup	2/3 cup	water

Preperation:
1. In a large skillet, brown the turkey meat use medium high heat. drain excess fat.
2. Add seasonings and water to skillet. Mix throughly.
3. Change heat to high, and bring water to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 7-10 minutes. Stir occasionally. (This is a good time to prepare the other ingredients)
5. Add refried beans to skillet, mixing with other ingredients.
6. Cook until the beans are warmed (a few minutes).
7. You can leave the meat sauce on low or simmer until the rest of the meal is completed to keep it warm.

Note: if you are really lazy or in more of a hurry you could add the beans at the same time as the same time as the water and spices. The side-effect is the sauce comes out thiner (more runny) and the flavor is slightly different.

Taco Shells
Ingredients: (per person)

3	Yellow Corn Tortilla Shells
	Olive Oil

1. Pour enough oil in a frying pan to coat the bottom. Warm up to medium or medium high heat. My rule of thumb for telling when you got the temperature right is warm it up just warm enough that the taco shell makes a sizzling sound and bubbles when you place it on the pan, but doesn't brown the shell.
2. Cook for 30 seconds on each side, using a fork or tongs to flip the shell over. If you prefer crispy shells to soft ones, cook for additional time, may require several minutes total.
3. place cooked shell between white napkins (not printed ones) to absorb excess oil. Shells may be stacked on a plate in between napkin layers.
4. If pan starts looking dry and shells don't bubble initially add more oil as needed.

Toppings
Suggested Ingredients:
(Amounts are approximated for 4 people, just add to taste)

1 cup	Lettuce (chopped)
1 or 2	Tomato (chopped)
1/3	Cucumber (peeled & chopped)
8 oz. can  (small can)	Sliced Olives (Lindsey Olives taste best if you can find them)
1 cup	Grated Marbled Jack cheese
(optional)	Near East brand Mexican (Spanish?) Rice Pilaf

- Chop vegetables into small chunks & place in small serving bowls (I usually use small tupperwares or gladware, but if you have fancy serving trays or anything it makes for a nicer presentation).
- Grate cheese into a bowl.
- Place drained olives in a bowl.

Q. "Why put cucumber on tacos? I've never heard of doing that."
A. It tastes good. I've converted a few non-believers; once they tried it they liked it. It may not sound traditional, but it adds a nice crunchy texture to the taco. Try it once. If you don't like it, don't use it again.

Combining It All Together

1. Brown the turkey for the meat sauce.
2. Chop vegetables & grate cheese while the meat sauce cooks.
3. Cook taco shells.
4. Place all toppings on the table in serving dishes, along with shells (if you have a limited number of spare shells it may be wise to dole these out on each plate)
5. Eat. Fill the taco shells with whatever toppings you like and enjoy.

This recipie is great if you have helpers in the kitchen, since prep time will be cut. Have one person in charge of the meat sauce and another chopping vegetables & cooking the shells.