Layered Taco Dip

I had planned to post this recipe during the Christmas holidays but everyone knows how that week can be full of the best of intentions that aren't met.  But here comes the Super Bowl with lots of folks planning parties. This dip is great any time of year and would be a hit if you have a party this weekend. 

For years taco dip has been our unconventional, but tasty, Christmas Eve dinner and it has become such a favorite that we won't even consider other options. It was during our years in Bahrain that we started eating this but even earlier I started fixing dinner on the 24th of December to help ease holiday pressures on Colette who is a bit of a Scrooge and needs the help. Even though our nest has been empty for a long time now, our kids still insist on this meal if we are together for Christmas Eve. It is basically a combination of the elements of an American taco layered on a tray or a glass baking pan. I have tweaked it slightly over the years to adapt to our changing tastes but I'll include original ingredients as well.

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Layered Taco Dip

Serves 6-8 as a main dish and many more as a party dip

1 pound good Mexican chorizo (originally ground beef and a McCormick taco seasoning mix)
2 to 2 1/2 c refried beans (the best are homemade)
guacamole, using 2 avocados
1 1/2 c sour cream
3 sliced scallions
1 chopped green pepper (you may use some chopped jalapeno if you like)
1 can California black olives, sliced (you may use Kalamata olives if you prefer)
8-12 oz. cheddar cheese or mix of cheddar and jack, shredded
iceberg or leafy lettuce, chopped, enough to cover your dish 1/2-3/4 inch thick
1/2 c chopped cilantro
8 oz. cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered (or you may use a large tomato, although the flavor and texture will be rather poor)
tortilla chips

Brown the meat (if you are using ground beef, add the seasoning package and follow directions). In a 9 X 13 glass pan or on a large platter, spread a layer of refried beans. Top with a layer of meat. Spread sour cream over the top and then spread the guacamole. Layer everything else in the order given. See photos below. All amounts are flexible and optional. Use whatever you like. You may want to consider using crema instead of sour cream and crumbled queso fresco instead of cheddar or jack.

Serve immediately passing tortilla chips at the table.

Many thanks to Sam Peterson for taking the photos.