Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's double post deals with pies.
Without a doubt, pies are one of my favorite desserts (if not my very favorite). That said, here are six pies to help you through the day, including Million Dollar Cream Pie and Chilly Chocolate Pie. Enjoy!
STRAIGHT-UP RHUBARB PIE
This is from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “This rhubarb pie contains no distractions, like strawberries. The crust is made with shortening. (Butter is fine if you want a French tart, but it's not American pie unless it's made with shortening, the author Anne Dimock said.) The top is marked with 8 razor-thin vents.”
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Circular Thinking” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2/3 cup vegetable shortening, plus 2 tablespoons
6 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
5 cups sliced rhubarb
1 1/4 cups sugar
5 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Make the crust: before measuring the flour, stir it to leaven with air and then measure out 2 cups. Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl and fluff with a fork. Cut the shortening into the flour with a fork or pastry blender. Stop as soon as the sheen of the butter disappears and the mixture is a bunch of coarse pieces. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water at a time over the dough, lifting and tossing it with the fork. When it begins to come together, gather the dough, press it into a ball and then pull it apart; if it crumbles in your hands, it needs more water. (It's better to err on the side of too wet than too dry.) Add a teaspoon or two more water, as needed.
Gather the dough into two slightly unequal balls, the larger one for the bottom crust and the smaller one for the top. Flatten the larger ball, reforming any frayed edges with the sides of your hand. Dust with flour and roll the dough, starting from the center and moving toward the edges. Take a knife or thin spatula and quickly work its edge between the crust and the counter top. Lift the dough to the side; dust the dough and counter top with flour. Roll again until the diameter is an inch or 2 larger than that of the pie pan. Lay the rolling pin a third of the way from one of the edges. Roll the crust onto the pin and then unroll the crust into a 9-inch pie pan and press it into place. Place in the freezer.
Make the filling: in a large bowl, blend the rhubarb, sugar, flour and cinnamon. Pour into the crust-lined pie pan. Dot with butter.
Roll out the top crust. Dab the rim of the bottom crust with water to create a glue. Then place the top crust over the rhubarb; trim, seal and cut several vents. Bake for 15 minutes; reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake 25 to 30 minutes more, or until a bit of pink juice bubbles from the vents in the crust.
Tip
Anne Dimock's secret ingredient is Extra Fancy Vietnamese Cassia Cinnamon, available from Penzeys Spices, www.penzeys.com.
YOGURT CUSTARD PIE
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Yields: 8 Slices. It begins, “This quick and easy recipe is a great one to make with your children. With only a handful of ingredients, and very little preparation, this is a pie that everyone is sure to enjoy.”
Ingredients
2 eggs
1 cup plain lowfat yogurt
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup peaches, sliced
1/2 cup cherries, pitted, chopped
1 - 9 inch pie crust
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat eggs until well blended & whisk in yogurt & sugar. Stir peaches & cherries (or any other of your favorite fruits) into mixture & pour into pie shell. Bake for 30 minutes, until the custard sets around the edge. The inner 2-3 inches should still remain somewhat soft. Chill, slice and serve.
CHILLY CHOCOLATE PIE
This is from My Daily Moment, and begins, “This simple, creamy chocolate pie is a simple fix for a weeknight, after-dinner treat. You work hard all day - why not get your just desserts?”
Serves: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup whipping cream
10 ounces Hershey's chocolate almond bar
6 tablespoons water
1 8-inch graham cracker crust pie shell
Directions
Melt chocolate bar in water over low heat stirring frequently. Remove from heat and allow cooling. Meanwhile, whip cream until it forms peaks. When chocolate mixture is cooled, gently fold in the whipped cream. Turn into piecrust and refrigerate until ready to serve, or at least 2 hours.
Ready in 30 min.
CREAMY LEMONADE PIE
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 (5 oz) can evaporated milk
1 (3.4 oz) pkg. instant lemon pudding mix
2 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese softened
3/4 C. lemonade concentrate
1 graham cracker crust
Directions
In mixing bowl combine milk & pudding mix; beat on low speed for 2 minutes. In another mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light & fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually beat in lemonade concentrate. Gradually beat in pudding mixture. Pour into crust. Cover & refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
MILLION DOLLAR CREAM PIE
This comes from Carroll Pellegrinelli, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. (Check out her website at https://carrollpellegrinelli.com/. You won't regret it!)
For this recipe, Carroll wrote, " Million Dollar Pie thankfully doesn't live up to its name cost-wise, but its popularity on Pinterest proves it's worth adding to the recipe vault. Also called Millionaire Pie or Millionaire's Pie, this creamy concoction blends canned pineapple, toasted nuts, and shredded coconut into sweetened condensed milk. It gets its lofty height from the addition of a whipped dessert topping. Some versions incorporate cream cheese, and others call for heavy cream, but they all result in a luxurious bite of sweetness.
"The basic recipe can branch into many directions, with maraschino cherries making frequent appearances, oranges joining the pineapple, shortbread or flaky pastry replacing the standard graham cracker crust, frozen adaptations, and even a chocolate-pecan impostor.
"You can start with this classic rendition, then adjust, modify, and remaster it to your stomach's content. The recipe makes two pies with one can of condensed milk, but you can cut the ingredients in half to make just one."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Chilling Time: 2 hours; Yield: 2 pies (16 servings)
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/million-dollar-cream-pie-304933.
Ingredients
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 (8-ounce) cans crushed pineapple (drained)
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
2 (8-ounce) containers frozen whipped topping (thawed)
2 (9-inch) graham cracker crusts
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the condensed milk and lemon juice. Let stand for 5 minutes to thicken.
Add pineapple, 3/4 cup of the coconut and 3/4 cup of the pecans. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Fold in whipped topping and divide evenly between two crusts.
Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of coconut on a cookie sheet and toast in 350 F oven, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, approximately 5 to 8 minutes.
Sprinkle toasted coconut and remaining pecans onto the pie.
Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.
ORANGE CHESS PIE
This comes from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats. For this recipe, Diana wrote, “This refreshing orange chess pie is an amazing dessert, and it can be enjoyed any time of the year! With fresh orange juice and grated zest and fresh lemon juice, it is bright and bursting with citrus flavor.
“I've included a simple pie crust recipe, but you can use a frozen crust or refrigerated pie dough. Follow the instructions for partially baking a pie crust.” Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 8 Servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Pie Crust (or use a purchased 9-inch pie shell)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 ounces chilled butter, cut in small pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 scant teaspoon granulated sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons of ice water
Filling
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons milk
finely grated zest of 1 orange
1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half of a lemon)
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
Preparation
Pie Crust
Put the 1-1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a food processor and pulse to blend. Add half of the chilled butter pieces and pulse 5 or 6 times. Add the remaining chilled butter pieces and pulse another 5 or 6 times. You should have visible pieces of butter in the mixture with some the size of peas.
Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the ice water over the flour and pulse a few times.
Add more water, about 2 to 3 teaspoons at a time, pulsing a couple of times after each addition. When the mixture begins to clump together, turn it out onto a floured surface.
With your hands, knead just enough to shape the dough into a disk. Overworking the dough can cause shrinkage when the pie is pre-baked, so handle it as little as possible.
Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.
Heat the oven to 375° F.
Roll the disk out into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep checking and adding flour to the work surface if you notice any sticking.
Fit the pastry into the pie plate and crimp the edge as desired.
Line the pastry with parchment paper or foil and fill about 2/3 full with pie weights or dried beans.
Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the parchment or foil with the pie weights. Prick the dough all over, and then bake for about 5 minutes longer, or just until you begin to see a little color. Remove the crust to a rack and reduce the oven temperature to 350° F.
Orange Filling
In a mixing bowl combine the 1-1/2 cups of sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the milk, orange zest and juice, the lemon juice, and the lightly beaten eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended.
Pour the orange filling mixture into the partially baked pie crust. Bake at 350° F for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until set. Check the pie for browning after about 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, put a pie shield or homemade foil ring over the edges of the crust to prevent over-browning.
Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Chill before serving.
Serve this pie with freshly whipped cream or thawed whipped topping.
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Taco Tuesday
Is there anything yummier than Taco Tuesday?
Okay, that's a trick question. But really, if you love tacos as much as I do, you don't mind having another Taco Tuesday. (And to think that I never had tacos until I moved to Florida at 17! Sacrilege!)
Of course, back when I first had tacos, they were ground-beef-lettuce-cheese-and-tomato concoctions. But if you're a vegetarian (as I am now), that's not going to cut it. Sure, you can replace the ground beef with any number of vegetarian crumbles; that'll work just fine. But if you're looking for something a little more adventurous, check out today's taco recipes, including Eggplant Tacos (yum!) and Black Bean Tacos With Avocado and Spicy Onions (double-yum!). Enjoy!
CHIPOTLE QUINOA SWEET POTATO TACOS WITH ROASTED CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE SALSA
A while back, I discovered Tieghan Gerard’s website, Half Baked Harvest. Some very yummy-looking recipes, including this one.
Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 a small sweet onion
1 clove garlic minced or grated
1 large sweet potato chopped (peel if desired)
salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa (I used red quinoa)
1 leaves can diced tomatoes (Optional; I normally these out, but sometimes add them)
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 canned chipotle chilies minced
1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo from the chipotle chili can
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon cayenne or to your taste
1 cup cooked black beans if using canned drain and rinse them
1 lime juiced
1 small bunch cilantro
6-8 four tortillas corn tortillas (warmed) or hard shell tacos (personally my family prefers hards shell, but all of them are good!), warmed
1 avocado sliced or diced, for topping
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese for topping
cotija cheese crumbled, for topping
Roasted Cranberry Pomegranate Salsa
12 ounces fresh cranberries
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 canned chipotle chili chopped
1 lime zested + juiced
1 clove garlic minced or grated
1 jalapeno chopped and seed removed if desired
the arils from 1 pomegranate (learn how to deseed a pomegranate here)
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
To make the salsa: Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
Place the cranberries, brown sugar, chipotle chili, lime zest + juice, garlic, jalapeño and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands to toss everything together until the cranberries are evenly coated. Place in the oven and roast until the cranberries burst and release their juices, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and and let cool 10 minutes. Then add the pomegranate arils and toss well. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired. Set aside and keep at room temperature.
While the cranberries are roasting start the tacos. Heat the olive oil over a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the onions and sweet potatoes and toss to coat. Cover the skillet and let cook until the sweet potatoes are fork tender, but not mushy, stirring once or twice for about 15 minutes. Once the sweet potatoes are fork tender, add the garlic and saute 30 seconds. Then crank up the heat to medium-high (adding more oil if needed) and add the quinoa. Let the quinoa get crispy and cook for about 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup water, tomatoes (if using), the chili powder, chipotle chilies, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, brown sugar and cayenne, stir to thoroughly combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until the water has completely evaporated. Remove from the heat and stir in the black beans, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and the lime juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
To assemble the tacos place some of the quinoa in a tortilla or shell. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, avocado, a large dollop the the roasted cranberry salsa, crumbled catija cheese and fresh chopped cilantro. Take in their beauty and then EAT!
EGGPLANT TACOS
This is from Reiko on her blog, The Culinary Tribune. She starts off writing, “I love eggplant!…
“These tacos are so delicious!!
“If you like eggplant, try this.
“If you are a vegan or vegetarian, try this.
“If you want good tacos, try this.”
To view this online, click here. It looks like this makes 2 tacos.
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 eggplant, cut into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoons water
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon garlic chili paste
dry oregano
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon corn starch plus water (for thickening)
salt and pepper
2 taco shells
a few slices of red onion
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
Cook eggplant in oil until tender. Add water, sugar, soy sauce, garlic chili paste, oregano, and cumin. Add corn starch and water mixture to thicken it slightly. Salt and pepper.
Warm taco shells in a toaster.
Fill the shells with the eggplant. Serve with red onion slices, cilantro, and green onion.
BLACK BEAN TACOS WITH AVOCADO AND SPICY ONIONS
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “Spicy pickled onions add brightness and tang to these hearty black bean tacos. The filling is a bit like chili but without the tomato, and perfect to wrap up in a tortilla. You can make the black beans up to 5 days ahead; they even freeze well. Then just warm them up, along with the tortillas, right before serving. The spicy onions will last for weeks in the fridge. Use them on everything: soups, salads, even grilled cheese sandwiches.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes
This was featured in “The Meat-Lover’s Guide to Eating Less Meat”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020744-black-bean-tacos-with-avocado-and-spicy-onions.
Ingredients
For the Spicy Onions:
1 lime
1 small red onion or large shallot, thinly sliced
1 jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced
Large pinch of fine sea salt
Small pinch of granulated sugar
For the Black Beans
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup diced red or green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
Fine sea salt
Corn tortillas, warmed
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
Fresh cilantro, salsa and sour cream, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Make the spicy onions: Squeeze the lime into a bowl and add the onion or shallot, jalapeño, salt and sugar to the juice. Set aside while you make the black beans.
Prepare the beans: Heat a large skillet, then add 2 tablespoons oil. When oil is hot, add the onion and bell pepper and sauté until soft and golden, about 10 minutes. If the pan looks dry, drizzle in a little more oil.
Add the garlic and jalapeño and sauté until fragrant, 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin, and sauté until fragrant. Add the beans and a few large pinches of salt and let simmer until the flavors meld, about 15 minutes.
Taste and add more salt, chili powder and oregano to taste. Serve beans with tortillas and avocado and top with the pickled onions and jalapeño and some of their liquid, adding any of the garnishes you like.
VEGGIE BEAN TACOS
This comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Tonya Burkhard (Davis, Illinois), " In the summer when fresh corn and just-picked tomatoes are in season, authentic Mexican dishes like this leave you always wanting that next bite. My personal preference is to serve them with a slice of lime to squeeze over the avocado."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Makes: 6 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/veggie-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh corn
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 small zucchini, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup salsa verde
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
Reduced-fat sour cream, optional
Directions
In a large skillet, saute corn in 1 tablespoon oil until lightly browned. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, saute tomatoes, zucchini and onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the beans, oregano, salt, pepper and corn; heat through.
Divide filling among tortillas. Top with cheese, salsa, avocado and, if desired, sour cream.
SPICY BLACK BEAN AND CORN TACOS
This is from Katherine Sacks, associate food editor at Epicurious. Katherine wrote, "Ripe summer corn is so delicious, so fresh, and so full of flavor, you can enjoy it raw. Filled with black beans, avocado, and raw corn marinated in bright lime juice along with jalapeño, cilantro, and toasted nuts and seeds, these hearty tacos make an easy to cook, easy to eat weeknight dinner."
Yield: 4 servings; Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes
To view this online, go to https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/spicy-black-bean-and-corn-tacos.
Ingredients
1/4 cup hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
2 ears of corn, shucked
1 medium jalapeño, seeded, finely chopped
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
5 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided, plus lime wedges for serving
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 red onion, coarsely chopped
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed, drained
1 tablespoon ground cumin
12 small corn tortillas
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large avocado, thinly sliced
Directions
Toast hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds in a medium skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes.
Meanwhile, slice corn off cobs into a large bowl (you should have about 2 cups kernels). Add toasted nuts and seeds, jalapeño, red pepper, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup oil, 3 Tbsp. lime juice, and 1/2 tsp. salt; toss to combine.
Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring, until onion starts to release moisture and turns translucent, 4–5 minutes. Add beans, cumin, 1/3 cup water, and remaining 3/4 tsp. salt. Cover and cook until liquid is reduced and beans soften, about 5 minutes. Uncover, add 1/3 cup water, and use the back of a fork to mash up about half of beans.
Working one at a time, warm tortillas with tongs directly over a gas burner over medium heat, turning often, until lightly charred and puffed in spots, about 45 seconds per side. (Alternatively, wrap tortillas in foil and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave in 20-second bursts until warm.) Transfer to a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm.
Whisk sour cream and remaining 2 Tbsp. lime juice in a small bowl. Fill tortillas with bean mixture, then top with corn salsa, avocado, and cilantro leaves. Drizzle with sour cream mixture and serve with lime wedges alongside.
Do Ahead
Corn salsa and beans can be made 3 days ahead; store separately, cover, and chill. Bring corn salsa to room temperature. Reheat beans in skillet before serving.
Cooks' Note
When ripe, fresh corn is unavailable, cook ears in boiling salted water until bright yellow and tender, about 6 minutes. Let cool and continue with recipe.
HUEVOS RANCHEROS
I found this, along with five other taco recipes, on the Runner’s World website (posted on June 26, 2018), though it’s originally from the Prevention test kitchen.
This recipe begins, “A spicy sauce made fresh from sautéed vegetables helps you begin the day with a good dose of vitamins A and C.”
Serves:4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes
This can be found at https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a21946015/healthy-taco-recipes/. They were originally from: Prevention US.
Ingredients
3 tsp olive oil
1 med green bell pepper, chopped
1 med yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 can (14 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes with juice
2 Tbsp chopped chipotle pepper in adobo
1/4 c chopped cilantro + leaves for garnish
4 eggs
1 c canned black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
4 whole wheat tortillas, warmed
Directions
Heat 2 tsp oil over medium until shimmering in medium saucepan. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, and a pinch of kosher salt and cook until onion is translucent, 8 minutes. Add tomatoes, chipotle, and cilantro and cook until reduced slightly, 10 minutes. Puree with regular or hand blender until smooth.
Heat remaining 1 tsp oil in large nonstick skillet and fry eggs sunny side up. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1 egg, and desired amount of sauce. Top with cilantro leaves.
Per serving: 272 cal, 14 g pro, 40 g carb, 8 g fiber, 6 g sugars (1 g added sugars), 9.5 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 186 mg cholesterol, 476 mg sodium
Okay, that's a trick question. But really, if you love tacos as much as I do, you don't mind having another Taco Tuesday. (And to think that I never had tacos until I moved to Florida at 17! Sacrilege!)
Of course, back when I first had tacos, they were ground-beef-lettuce-cheese-and-tomato concoctions. But if you're a vegetarian (as I am now), that's not going to cut it. Sure, you can replace the ground beef with any number of vegetarian crumbles; that'll work just fine. But if you're looking for something a little more adventurous, check out today's taco recipes, including Eggplant Tacos (yum!) and Black Bean Tacos With Avocado and Spicy Onions (double-yum!). Enjoy!
CHIPOTLE QUINOA SWEET POTATO TACOS WITH ROASTED CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE SALSA
A while back, I discovered Tieghan Gerard’s website, Half Baked Harvest. Some very yummy-looking recipes, including this one.
Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 a small sweet onion
1 clove garlic minced or grated
1 large sweet potato chopped (peel if desired)
salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa (I used red quinoa)
1 leaves can diced tomatoes (Optional; I normally these out, but sometimes add them)
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 canned chipotle chilies minced
1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo from the chipotle chili can
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon cayenne or to your taste
1 cup cooked black beans if using canned drain and rinse them
1 lime juiced
1 small bunch cilantro
6-8 four tortillas corn tortillas (warmed) or hard shell tacos (personally my family prefers hards shell, but all of them are good!), warmed
1 avocado sliced or diced, for topping
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese for topping
cotija cheese crumbled, for topping
Roasted Cranberry Pomegranate Salsa
12 ounces fresh cranberries
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 canned chipotle chili chopped
1 lime zested + juiced
1 clove garlic minced or grated
1 jalapeno chopped and seed removed if desired
the arils from 1 pomegranate (learn how to deseed a pomegranate here)
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
To make the salsa: Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
Place the cranberries, brown sugar, chipotle chili, lime zest + juice, garlic, jalapeño and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands to toss everything together until the cranberries are evenly coated. Place in the oven and roast until the cranberries burst and release their juices, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and and let cool 10 minutes. Then add the pomegranate arils and toss well. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired. Set aside and keep at room temperature.
While the cranberries are roasting start the tacos. Heat the olive oil over a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the onions and sweet potatoes and toss to coat. Cover the skillet and let cook until the sweet potatoes are fork tender, but not mushy, stirring once or twice for about 15 minutes. Once the sweet potatoes are fork tender, add the garlic and saute 30 seconds. Then crank up the heat to medium-high (adding more oil if needed) and add the quinoa. Let the quinoa get crispy and cook for about 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup water, tomatoes (if using), the chili powder, chipotle chilies, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, brown sugar and cayenne, stir to thoroughly combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until the water has completely evaporated. Remove from the heat and stir in the black beans, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and the lime juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
To assemble the tacos place some of the quinoa in a tortilla or shell. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, avocado, a large dollop the the roasted cranberry salsa, crumbled catija cheese and fresh chopped cilantro. Take in their beauty and then EAT!
EGGPLANT TACOS
This is from Reiko on her blog, The Culinary Tribune. She starts off writing, “I love eggplant!…
“These tacos are so delicious!!
“If you like eggplant, try this.
“If you are a vegan or vegetarian, try this.
“If you want good tacos, try this.”
To view this online, click here. It looks like this makes 2 tacos.
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 eggplant, cut into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoons water
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon garlic chili paste
dry oregano
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon corn starch plus water (for thickening)
salt and pepper
2 taco shells
a few slices of red onion
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
Cook eggplant in oil until tender. Add water, sugar, soy sauce, garlic chili paste, oregano, and cumin. Add corn starch and water mixture to thicken it slightly. Salt and pepper.
Warm taco shells in a toaster.
Fill the shells with the eggplant. Serve with red onion slices, cilantro, and green onion.
BLACK BEAN TACOS WITH AVOCADO AND SPICY ONIONS
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “Spicy pickled onions add brightness and tang to these hearty black bean tacos. The filling is a bit like chili but without the tomato, and perfect to wrap up in a tortilla. You can make the black beans up to 5 days ahead; they even freeze well. Then just warm them up, along with the tortillas, right before serving. The spicy onions will last for weeks in the fridge. Use them on everything: soups, salads, even grilled cheese sandwiches.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes
This was featured in “The Meat-Lover’s Guide to Eating Less Meat”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020744-black-bean-tacos-with-avocado-and-spicy-onions.
Ingredients
For the Spicy Onions:
1 lime
1 small red onion or large shallot, thinly sliced
1 jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced
Large pinch of fine sea salt
Small pinch of granulated sugar
For the Black Beans
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup diced red or green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
Fine sea salt
Corn tortillas, warmed
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
Fresh cilantro, salsa and sour cream, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Make the spicy onions: Squeeze the lime into a bowl and add the onion or shallot, jalapeño, salt and sugar to the juice. Set aside while you make the black beans.
Prepare the beans: Heat a large skillet, then add 2 tablespoons oil. When oil is hot, add the onion and bell pepper and sauté until soft and golden, about 10 minutes. If the pan looks dry, drizzle in a little more oil.
Add the garlic and jalapeño and sauté until fragrant, 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin, and sauté until fragrant. Add the beans and a few large pinches of salt and let simmer until the flavors meld, about 15 minutes.
Taste and add more salt, chili powder and oregano to taste. Serve beans with tortillas and avocado and top with the pickled onions and jalapeño and some of their liquid, adding any of the garnishes you like.
VEGGIE BEAN TACOS
This comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Tonya Burkhard (Davis, Illinois), " In the summer when fresh corn and just-picked tomatoes are in season, authentic Mexican dishes like this leave you always wanting that next bite. My personal preference is to serve them with a slice of lime to squeeze over the avocado."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Makes: 6 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/veggie-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh corn
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 small zucchini, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup salsa verde
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
Reduced-fat sour cream, optional
Directions
In a large skillet, saute corn in 1 tablespoon oil until lightly browned. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, saute tomatoes, zucchini and onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the beans, oregano, salt, pepper and corn; heat through.
Divide filling among tortillas. Top with cheese, salsa, avocado and, if desired, sour cream.
SPICY BLACK BEAN AND CORN TACOS
This is from Katherine Sacks, associate food editor at Epicurious. Katherine wrote, "Ripe summer corn is so delicious, so fresh, and so full of flavor, you can enjoy it raw. Filled with black beans, avocado, and raw corn marinated in bright lime juice along with jalapeño, cilantro, and toasted nuts and seeds, these hearty tacos make an easy to cook, easy to eat weeknight dinner."
Yield: 4 servings; Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes
To view this online, go to https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/spicy-black-bean-and-corn-tacos.
Ingredients
1/4 cup hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
2 ears of corn, shucked
1 medium jalapeño, seeded, finely chopped
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
5 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided, plus lime wedges for serving
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 red onion, coarsely chopped
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed, drained
1 tablespoon ground cumin
12 small corn tortillas
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large avocado, thinly sliced
Directions
Toast hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds in a medium skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes.
Meanwhile, slice corn off cobs into a large bowl (you should have about 2 cups kernels). Add toasted nuts and seeds, jalapeño, red pepper, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup oil, 3 Tbsp. lime juice, and 1/2 tsp. salt; toss to combine.
Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring, until onion starts to release moisture and turns translucent, 4–5 minutes. Add beans, cumin, 1/3 cup water, and remaining 3/4 tsp. salt. Cover and cook until liquid is reduced and beans soften, about 5 minutes. Uncover, add 1/3 cup water, and use the back of a fork to mash up about half of beans.
Working one at a time, warm tortillas with tongs directly over a gas burner over medium heat, turning often, until lightly charred and puffed in spots, about 45 seconds per side. (Alternatively, wrap tortillas in foil and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave in 20-second bursts until warm.) Transfer to a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm.
Whisk sour cream and remaining 2 Tbsp. lime juice in a small bowl. Fill tortillas with bean mixture, then top with corn salsa, avocado, and cilantro leaves. Drizzle with sour cream mixture and serve with lime wedges alongside.
Do Ahead
Corn salsa and beans can be made 3 days ahead; store separately, cover, and chill. Bring corn salsa to room temperature. Reheat beans in skillet before serving.
Cooks' Note
When ripe, fresh corn is unavailable, cook ears in boiling salted water until bright yellow and tender, about 6 minutes. Let cool and continue with recipe.
HUEVOS RANCHEROS
I found this, along with five other taco recipes, on the Runner’s World website (posted on June 26, 2018), though it’s originally from the Prevention test kitchen.
This recipe begins, “A spicy sauce made fresh from sautéed vegetables helps you begin the day with a good dose of vitamins A and C.”
Serves:4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes
This can be found at https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a21946015/healthy-taco-recipes/. They were originally from: Prevention US.
Ingredients
3 tsp olive oil
1 med green bell pepper, chopped
1 med yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 can (14 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes with juice
2 Tbsp chopped chipotle pepper in adobo
1/4 c chopped cilantro + leaves for garnish
4 eggs
1 c canned black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
4 whole wheat tortillas, warmed
Directions
Heat 2 tsp oil over medium until shimmering in medium saucepan. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, and a pinch of kosher salt and cook until onion is translucent, 8 minutes. Add tomatoes, chipotle, and cilantro and cook until reduced slightly, 10 minutes. Puree with regular or hand blender until smooth.
Heat remaining 1 tsp oil in large nonstick skillet and fry eggs sunny side up. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1 egg, and desired amount of sauce. Top with cilantro leaves.
Per serving: 272 cal, 14 g pro, 40 g carb, 8 g fiber, 6 g sugars (1 g added sugars), 9.5 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 186 mg cholesterol, 476 mg sodium
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