Taco Salad in a Jar

Taco salad was a staple growing up.  It was introduced to my family in the 1990's when someone brought a bowl of it to our annual Superbowl Party.  Take the perfect food (tacos), convert it to a salad and then crush DORITOS on top!?  I could eat that 3 meals a day, seven days a week.  So here it is Jar-ified:

Servings: 7 Jar (Quart-size) salads

1.25 pounds 96% lean ground beef
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
1.5 T Marjoram
1 t Paprika
Garlic Powder (I never really measure spices to be honest)
1 t thyme
pinch cayenne pepper


Salsa of your choosing
Kraft Fat Free Catalina Dressing
2 containers Nature Sweet Cherubs (or any cherry tomatoes, these just are my preference; I used a container of traditional reds and one of orange because I was feelin' fancy)
2 bunches scallions, chopped/sliced
1.25 cups frozen sweet corn kernels, thawed
1 can Bush's black beans, drained and rinsed (feel free to use reduced sodium or a brand of your choosing)
1.75 avocadoes (I ate the remaining quarter in a moment of weakness)
1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
1.75 cups Kraft 2% milk fancy shredded cheddar cheese
Cilantro (options- since some people think it tastes like soap, which is actually a genetic mutation)
Doritos! (I used Spicy Nacho cheese, but feel free to pick your favorite or use plain corn chips)

Directions:

1. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper, and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then cook it in a skillet over medium heat (I don't add any oil).  As the meat browns, add the spices (I am big on tasting as I go- make sure the meat is cooked though, before you taste), and set aside to cool when done.

2. Put 2T (one serving) of the Catalina into the bottom of each jar, and top with 1/4 cup each of salsa (My original salad was too dry, so I added the salsa component).

3. Halve the cherry tomatoes* and distribute them among the jars. Top with corn (a bit over 1/8 cup per jar).  Next layer: scallions then beans; hopefully the beef has cooled, distribute approximately 1/4 cup into each jar.  Top with lettuce and chopped cilantro (if that's your thing), and finish with 1/4 cup cheese.

4. Store jars upright in the refrigerator.

5. Take six zip-lock baggies and put 7 Doritos (about half a serving) into each.  Then get in your anger management therapy by crushing them up.  Do no refrigerate.

Serving: Gently shake salad to distribute contents, pour into a bowl and top with crushed Doritos.

* I prefer to use cherry tomatoes because in MY MIND (no basis for scientific fact here), the skin-to-flesh ratio helps prevent them from turning to soup while they marinate in the dressing.