A couple months ago, I made a Mexican casserole for dinner. I wasn’t in the mood for tacos, but that was the plan. I turned tacos on their side! It was a delicious creation.
Recently, I started paying closer attention to the ingredient lists for the products that I use and a realized that this recipe could be cleaned up a bit. Most of the ingredients in the recipe were wholesome, but something scary slipped past me.
(source)
I never felt great about using these little packets. They always have a high sodium content, which I try to watch considering my previous history with high blood pressure. Then someone called my attention to the ingredients:
INGREDIENTS:
Maltodextrin, salt, chili pepper, onion powder, spice, monosodium glutamate, corn starch, yellow corn flour, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, silicon dioxide (anticaking agent), natural flavor, ethoxyquin (preservative). (source)
Silicon dioxide? What’s that? I quickly found out.
Silicon dioxide is silica gel, which is clearly labeled “DO NOT EAT.”
- Silicon is an element. It is naturally found in many foods.
- Silicon dioxide is an additive. It is used as an anti-caking agent in supplements, pharmaceuticals, spices, and powders.
This additive is approved for use in food products (in small quantities), but if I can avoid such additives, I do. Needless to say, I was very excited when I found a replacement.
After attending a Wildtree tasting, I purchased the taco seasoning. I was immediately impressed by the ingredients.
And a cleaned up Mexican casserole was born!
Cleaner Mexican Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 package 99% lean ground turkey
- 2 c. cooked brown rice
- 1 can (15oz) black beans – drained and rinsed
- 1 c. frozen corn niblets, thawed
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 jar of your favorite salsa
- 1.5 T. Wildtree taco seasoning
- 3/4 c. water
- 1 c. shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 T. canola oil
Looks delicious, doesn’t it? Let’s make one!
Directions:
- Start by cooking the rice. Everything else can get done while that magic happens.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Saute chopped onion until soft.
- Add ground turkey. Brown and drain.
- Add taco seasoning and water to turkey. Bring to a boil and then simmer for ~10 minutes.
- While simmering, add black beans and corn to the meat.
- The rice should be done now, so combine rice, turkey mixture, and salsa in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix, mix, mix! Add 1/2 c. cheese to the party.
- Pour mixture into a large casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for at 350* for 20 minutes.
- Eat and enjoy! Today and tomorrow…it makes a lot!
It oozes with cheesy, wholesome goodness. I couldn’t get enough. Apparently, I wasn’t alone…it’s gone! Yep. My family gobbled it right up. Every last taco-seasoned bite!
I know that there additives in many other things that I eat. Additives have made their way into the nooks and crannies of our diet staples. I am simply making an effort to avoid them when other options are available.
Are there any food additives that you specifically avoid?
I’ve really started to look at how many ingredient lists include corn or soy products. I’ve tried to be much more conscious of how much soy I consume (that isn’t either tofu or milk).It is definitely scary what gets added into food.
I avoid trans fat, msg, and hfcs at all costs. I mainly just avoid all preservatives in general
wow oh wow, that looks wonderful. i consumed many additives today– wondering if silica gel was one of them. sick.
Yikes, I buy that stuff too, NOT anymore, Thanks Becky!!!
Beck- That casserole looks deeelish! Between your meal and Amy’s (over at second city randomness), I now have 2 vegetarian meals for my husband! Thanks for posting the recipe!!
It’s funny – I made fajitas last night using a similar seasoning packet, and a thought crossed my mind when I used it: “what kinds of chemicals are in here?” Thanks for posting an alternative!
Your casserole looks so good!
Yes, I have bought those little packets before, but I haven’t in a long time. For one, they are just too salty and second, the ingredients are scary!
Looks yummy Beck! I’m definitely going to have to try this! It’s also really easy to make your own taco seasoning….just mix together some cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and you’re on your way!
I avoid most ardently monosodium glutamate MSG, anything hydrogenated or unpronounceable. That being said this dinner looks so yummy all cleaned up!
Girl, mexican is my favorite! I gasped when I saw those little nasty silicon packets. Fantastic new recommendation.
I wish I was bold enough to make my very own, but at least there is a better option out there.
I read ingredients very carefully now, myself. I like things that I can pronouce or at least know what they are. I make my own “taco” seasonings, now, too!
Im with ya on Taco Seasoning–I know a lot of people make their own and its easy, but sometimes I just lazy!
You make me want to change my lazy, packet buying ways. How crazy that the little “Do not eat” packet stuff is in there. Why??!!!
Mmm…that casserole looks good! I am such a huge fan of Mexican inspired dishes!!
THAT taco seasoning ingredient is… INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had no idea. The stuff companies put in stuff is absurd, it makes me sad.
WOW that is good to know about those packets. And also scary!!
I loved this post! I hope to hear more about how you find ways to swap out ingredients or find replacements for bad products that people use all the time.
So bad …so sad ….but there are choices ….Wildtree is great!