Pizza Tacos

Recipe by Catherine Barson Eastis

On her blog “The Gluttonous Geek,” Catherine Barson Eastis shares a recipe for pizzatacos inspired by “Night in the Woods,” a video game. This Possum Springs local favorite is sure to whet your appetite.

Possum Springs Pizzatacos

Makes 8-12 tacos

Equipment

Oven, oven rack, baking sheet, microwave, paper towels, baking dishes, stovetop and skillet

Ingredients

2 pounds mild Italian sausage
1 green bell pepper, diced
⅛ cup sliced black olives
⅛ cup pieces of torn pepperoni
15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
8-12 taco-size flour tortillas
1 red onion, thinly sliced
8 ounces shredded Italian blend cheese
1 tablespoon corn oil
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 teaspoons ground cumin

Instructions

1. Remove a rack from the oven and preheat to 350°F. Wrap the tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until pliable.
2. Prop the rack on top of boxes to raise it and place the baking sheet underneath. Brush corn oil on each side of the tortillas and drape each one over two rack bars. Then, put the rack back in the oven and the baking sheet on the rack below to catch the oil.
3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes until crispy. Remove the tortillas with a pair of tongs to cool.
4. Preheat the skillet on the stovetop over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add the sausage in clumps and brown while breaking up. Transfer the meat to a mixing bowl and drain off most of the fat.
5. Add the peppers, onion and cumin to the still-hot pan and stir. Cook until the onions are translucent.
6. Transfer the meat back to the pan and pour in the crushed tomatoes and dried basil. Reduce the heat to low, and stir and simmer until the liquid absorbs. Empty the contents of the skillet back into the bowl.
7. Bump the heat up on the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat the inside of some baking dishes with cooking spray and line with taco shells.
8. Fill the shells with taco meat — you will have leftovers. Top with cheese and dot with olives and pepperoni pieces. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool for 5 minutes before serving.