Back when I was studying communication at a University in Sweden, I took part in a student-led "Food Safari". Essentially a progressive dinner, teams of two were assigned either an appetizer, a main, or a dessert. Each team made one at their house and visited the other houses for the other courses. Sitting down for the main course, I was greeted by the Swedish favorite, Taco Pie (Tacopaj), a quiche flavored like a plate of tacos.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Lyndsay Burginger
Confused was an understatement. Here we were in the middle of Scandinavia and we were eating tacos. For Swedes, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. According to Biveros, Tex-Mex tacos were introduced to Scandinavia in 1982 when El Paso Salsa tried to break into the market. By the 90s, Swedes had made Taco fredag (Friday) a cultural phenomenon. While you can make this on any weeknight, most Swedes stick to eating this Mexican-inspired casserole on Friday to keep with tradition.
How to Make Taco Pie
Lyndsay Burginger
Every pie needs a pie crust and this one is no exception!
Start by greasing a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray or butter and set aside. In a large bowl add all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt and stir to combine. Cut in the butter until pea-size chunks form, then add in the milk and mix with a fork until a dough comes together. Roll the dough out into a circle and press into the springform pan and up the edges. Refrigerate while you make the beef mixture filling and cheese topping. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
Lyndsay Burginger
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and add the lean ground beef, onions, and garlic and cook on medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the fat by putting the meat mixture in a colander. Place back in the pan and add chopped green chiles, taco seasoning mix, and water. Cook until most of the liquid has cooked off, about 5 minutes.
In a small bowl combine the sour cream, cheddar cheese, egg, and mayonnaise.
Lyndsay Burginger
Remove the dish from the fridge and pour the ground beef mixture into the crust. Top with the cheese mixture and bake until set, about 35-45 minutes.
As the easy taco pie cooks, prepare your salsa by combining diced tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, and white onion. Season with salt and lime juice. Set aside.
Remove from oven and allow to cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve with the homemade salsa.
Watch: The Magic Time Machine Is a Wild Texas Experience
https://rumble.com/embed/u7gve.v6behn/
Taco Pie
Ingredients
For the Pastry
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 1/2 Tbsp butter, room temperature
- 1/3 cup milk
For the Filling
- 1 Tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup chopped green chilies
- 1 pkg taco spice mix
- 1 cup water
For the Topping
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
For the Salsa
- 2 Tomatoes, chopped finely
- 1/4 onion, chopped finely
- 1/2 jalapeño seeded and diced
- 1 handful cilantro, chopped
- salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- Grease a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray or butter and set aside. In a large bowl add all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt and stir to combine. Cut in the butter until pea-size chunks form, then add in the milk and mix with a fork until a dough comes together. Roll the dough out into a circle and press into the springform pan and up the edges. Refrigerate while you make the beef mixture filling and cheese topping.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and add the lean ground beef, onions, and garlic and cook on medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the fat by putting the meat mixture in a colander. Place back in the pan and add chopped green chiles, taco seasoning mix, and water. Cook until most of the liquid has cooked off, about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl combine the sour cream, cheddar cheese, egg, and mayonnaise.
- Remove the dish from the fridge and pour the ground beef mixture into the crust. Top with the cheese mixture and bake until set, about 35-45 minutes.
- As the easy taco pie cooks, prepare your salsa by combining diced tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, and white onion. Season with salt and lime juice. Set aside.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve with the homemade salsa.
