Potluck dish a tasty fiesta

Ever heard of a Taco Salad Potluck?

It's a fun idea for a get-together with friends.

The hostess makes the taco meat and guests bring toppings for the taco salad. You build your own taco salad from a wide variety of ingredients each person brings. It makes for a fun party.

Great Taco Meat

1 pound ground beef

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 cup water

Crumble ground beef in a 1-quart glass casserole. Microwave on high for 6 minutes and drain. Stir in seasonings and water. Microwave on high 3 to 4 minutes or until meat is done. Makes enough meat for 10 tacos or a taco salad.

Toffee Squares

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

4 1/2 ounces chocolate candy bars

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Combine softened butter, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla in large bowl with a wooden spoon. Stir in flour, mixing well. Spread mixture evenly in a greased 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan. Bake in a 374 degree oven 15 minutes, or until top is lightly browned. Remove from oven and break up chocolate over hot toffee bars. Sprinkle with nuts. Cut into-inch bars immediately. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until chocolate is melted.

Pita Pockets

1 pound ground beef

1/3 cup onion, chopped

1/3 cup celery, chopped

8 ounces pizza sauce

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

1 small zucchini, finely chopped

In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion and celery until meat is brown and onion and celery are tender. Drain well. Stir in pizza sauce, mustard and pepper. Bring to a boil. Stir in zucchini; heat through. Fill each pita half with some of the meat mixture. Add a few alfalfa sprouts on top and enjoy.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Remember the good ol' days when a pie was set out to cool, not to thaw?

GARY'S TIP: After cleaning outdoor garbage cans, toss in dry laundry detergent to repel flies, etc.