SOFT CRUNCH TURKEY TACOS with ZESTY RANCH SAUCE

Think you know what to expect with a taco? Think again! Anybody can open a package of taco seasonings, but why bother when you can mix up the seasonings yourself? YOU now control the quality of ingredients in your meal. Think tacos mean "beef"? With these fresh seasonings you won't even know you're eating healthy, lean turkey! Do your hard tacos fall apart too easily? Wrap it in a soft taco, and keep the ingredients IN the shell, instead of on your plate! I do believe it's time to re-think tacos, and try my soft crunch turkey tacos! The zesty ranch sauce will make you a believer for sure!

for meat:
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground turkey
1 cup chicken broth
1 tbs chili powder
1 tbs coriander
1 tbs cumin
2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/8 cup hot sauce
extra virgin olive oil

for tacos:
10-12 hard tacos
10-12 soft tacos
2 cups shredded lettuce or fresh spinach
1 cup diced tomatoes
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

for sauce:
1/4 ripe avocado
3 tbs ranch dressing
2 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp lime juice

DIRECTIONS:
for meat:
-over medium heat, add about 1 tbs olive oil, and brown turkey meat
-add additional ingredients, stir to coat, and cook on medium-low heat until liquid is reduced and thick

for sauce:
-mash the avocado until smooth
-add additional ingredients and stir until smooth

for tacos:
-keep tacos warm in a 200 degree oven until ready to eat
-place about a tsp or 2 of ranch sauce on the soft taco as 'glue'
-take the hard taco, place in the middle of the soft taco, and cover the hard taco with the soft taco
-fill the taco with meat and toppings, drizzle on additional ranch sauce
-enjoy!

SHOUT OUTS:
This is a homemade version of a Taco Bell's 'cheesy gordita crunch'- only WAY better, and WAY healthier!

TIPS and ADAPTATIONS:
-Use regular refried beans or refried black beans as the 'glue' between the tacos.
-You can use only a soft or only a hard taco instead of both, but the soft taco outside creates great texture, and helps keep the hard taco shell from breaking and making a mess!
-Skip the carbs: use 1 hard shell taco and line the inside with a large piece of iceburg or romain lettuce- perfect juice and filling catcher!
-Use whatever toppings you like on a taco: black olives, rice, guacamole...
-You can use ground beef or chicken instead of the turkey, or try it with shrimp or flank steak too!
-Don't have an avocado and/or lime juice? Just make the ranch sauce without it- still delicious!
-Skip all the hot sauce if you'd like to make it less spicy.
-Make it ahead of time! You can cook and season the meat and cut the lettuce and tomatoes up to a day in advance. You can make the sauce in advance too, but hold off adding the avocado until close to eating time; it may brown in the sauce.
-Try mixing in some frozen (or fresh, if you have it!) corn kernels (about 1/2 cup) into the meat mixture for added texture and vitamins.