Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Jambalaya with Sausage and Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat. Enjoy!
PAPRIKA CAULIFLOWER PITA POCKETS
This is from the September 2007 (?) issue of Vegetarian Times (page 76), and begins, "Cauliflower, like paprika, is frequently undervalued in home kitchens. What better way to highlight them both than with this simple dish. Try topping with fresh tomatoes, chopped black olives, and some low-fat Parmesan cheese." Makes 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/paprika-cauliflower-pita-pockets/.
Ingredients
1 head cauliflower (2 lb.), cut into bite-size florets
3 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. sweet Hungarian paprika
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
1 small red onion, diced (1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
2 Tbs. lemon juice
4 pita bread rounds, halved and warmed
Preparation
Steam cauliflower 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender.
Heat oil, paprika, pepper, and salt in nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, 2 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring constantly. Add onion and garlic, and sauté 2 minutes more. Stir in broth and cauliflower, and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in lemon juice. Serve with pita halves.
KIWI AND ORANGE COMPOTE WITH ALMONDS
This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "This is a very simple dessert: nothing more than fresh kiwi, oranges and a spiced syrup, but it tastes heavenly. " Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/kiwi-and-orange-compote-with-almonds/.
Ingredients
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 whole cardamom pods, crushed
2 whole allspice
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 large oranges, peeled and white pith removed, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices
4 kiwis, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices
2 Tbs. sliced almonds, toasted
Preparation
Combine 3/4 cup water, sugar, cardamom, allspice and cinnamon in saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook until liquid is syrupy and slightly reduced, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.
Put orange and kiwi slices in shallow bowl. Pour hot syrup over fruit. Let cool to room temperature, cover and chill at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours. Sprinkle with almonds, and serve.
JAMBALAYA WITH SAUSAGE
This yummy vegan recipe is from One Green Planet. If you've never checked the site out, please do!
Anyway, the recipe begins, "This Vegan Jambalaya is a meatless twist to a Cajun favorite! The spicy flavors meld together with rice and beans for a great one-pot meal. Beans, rice, and vegan sausage take center stage in this hearty vegan jambalaya. Traditional Cajun comfort food can dish out as much or as little heat as you’d like. For an added kick, use vegan Cajun sausage and even fire-roasted tomatoes."
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/jambalaya-with-sausage-vegan/.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon vegan butter
1 14 oz package vegan sausage, sliced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 celery stalks, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 tablespoons cajun seasoning, divided
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 14oz can black or red beans
2 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
3 cups vegetable broth
fresh chopped parsley and green onion for topping
Preparation
In a large pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add the sliced vegan sausages and 1 tablespoon of the cajun seasoning and sauté until browned. Transfer to a clean plate and set aside.
In the same pan, add the tablespoon of vegan butter and let it melt. Then add in the veggie mix. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add in 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper. Stir and cook for 1 more minute.
Next, add the crushed tomatoes, beans, Worcestershire sauce, rice, and veggie broth to the pan. Stir well, bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer (covered) and cook for 25-30 minutes, until the rice is cooked. Stir frequently to make sure the rice doesn’t burn and stick to the bottom of the pot. Add vegetable broth as needed if the mixture starts to dry out.
Add the cooked vegan sausage back into the pan and mix. Remove from heat.
Top with chopped parsley and green onions, and enjoy!
PANDA EXPRESS CHOW MEIN COPYCAT
This comes from Chungah Rhee, on her wonderful site, Damn Delicious. If you haven't check out her site, you really should! I love checking it out on a regular basis (read: several times a week).
Anyway, this recipe begins, "I love recreating take-out recipes at home. You know exactly what’s going into your dish, and the homemade version is ALWAYS better without a doubt. And this Panda Express copycat is no exception. Best of all, you can make this in less than 20 minutes! How easy is that?
"I kid you not. This is one of the easiest recipes I have ever made. It requires such few ingredients and this recipe is practically foolproof. And there really is no comparison to Panda Express because it’s just that much better. We didn’t even have a main dish to pair this with but we still devoured this on its own like there was no tomorrow!"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://damndelicious.net/2014/07/02/panda-express-chow-mein-copycat/.
Ingredients
1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 (5.6-ounce) packages refrigerated Yaki-Soba, seasoning sauce packets discarded*
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 stalks celery, sliced diagonally
2 cups shredded cabbage
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, ginger and white pepper; set aside.
In a large pot of boiling water, add Yaki-Soba until loosened, about 1-2 minutes; drain well.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and celery, and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in cabbage until heated through, about 1 minute.
Stir in Yaki-Soba and soy sauce mixture until well combined, about 2 minutes.
Serve immediately.
Notes:
*Yaki-Soba is ramen-style noodles and can be found in the refrigerated aisle of your local grocery store.
FRESH CORN AND OKRA FRITTERS
This is from the July/August 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 46. It begins, "In these fritters, okra shows its Southern heritage when paired with corn and cornmeal. These fritters resemble fried corn pone but with vegetables added. If you want to make your own baking powder, the formula is very simple: Combine 1/4 cup cream of tartar with 2 tablespoons baking soda, and sift the two together three times. Store the powder in a tightly sealed container away from sunlight. Makes about 12 fritters." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/fresh-corn-and-okra-fritters/.
Ingredients
1/2 cup stone-ground white cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder, preferably homemade (see above)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
1 cup fresh corn kernels
1 cup (about 5 oz.) thinly sliced (1/8- to 1/4-inch thick) okra
About 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
Preparation
Put cornmeal, flour, 1 teaspoon salt and baking powder in a mixing bowl, and stir well to blend. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and water, and stir into dry ingredients, mixing just until well blended.
Sprinkle remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper over scallions, corn and okra, and fold vegetables into batter.
Pour oil into a large skillet, and heat to 340°F. Scoop batter by about 1/4 cupfuls into hot oil. Fry until golden brown on both sides, carefully turning to brown evenly and to cook through, for about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from skillet using a slotted spoon, and drain fritters on layers of paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt, and serve hot or at room temperature.
GRILLED TOFU
This comes from Kay Chun in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Kay wrote, "Pouring hot marinade over tofu slices encourages faster absorption of flavors, eliminating the need to marinate overnight. In a pinch, this method yields tasty results in three hours, but the recommended six hours deliver a much more complex, richer flavored tofu. Grilled, it makes a versatile side dish and is delicious warm or at room temperature. Pair it with steamed rice and a simple green salad, or turn the tofu into satisfying vegetarian sandwiches by tucking it into pita bread with lettuce and avocado."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 20 minutes, plus 6 hours' marinating
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022297-grilled-tofu.
Ingredients
1 (14-ounce) block extra-firm tofu, sliced crosswise into eight equal slices (about 1/2-inch thick)
2 tablespoons safflower or canola oil, plus more for greasing grates
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped scallions
Preparation
Arrange sliced tofu in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate. Press top with more paper towels to remove excess water. Arrange tofu in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, or any shallow dish that can hold the tofu in one layer.
In a small saucepan, combine oil, garlic and ginger over medium; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant, 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, sugar, pepper and 1/4 cup water, and cook, stirring to dissolve the sugar, about 2 minutes.
Pour hot marinade over tofu. Gently turn tofu slices to evenly coat, then cover dish tightly with plastic wrap to seal in heat. Refrigerate for 6 hours (or up to 8 hours), flipping tofu slices halfway through.
Heat grill to medium and grease grates well (or heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium and lightly grease). Grill tofu over direct heat until golden and caramelized, about 3 minutes per side.
Meanwhile, transfer marinade to a small saucepan over medium and warm through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in scallions.
Transfer tofu to a serving plate and spoon over the sauce. Serve warm.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's meatless offerings include Jamaican Curried Tempeh Tacos and American BBQ Tacos. Enjoy!
VEGETARIAN BEAN TACOS
This recipe, by Kim Behby at Taste of Home, is originally from Amanda Petrucelli, Plymouth, Indiana. This recipe begins, "You don't need to be a vegetarian to eat vegetarian tacos! Loaded with beans, spices and sauteed onions, these hearty tacos are a quick and easy meal the whole family will enjoy."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/vegetarian-bean-tacos/#RecipeCard.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 can (16 ounces) vegetarian refried beans
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, drained
4 whole wheat tortillas (8 inches), warmed
Optional toppings: Shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, cubed avocado, sour cream and salsa
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeno; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic and seasonings; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in beans and tomatoes; heat through.
Serve bean mixture in tortillas with toppings as desired.
WHITE BEAN AND POTATO TACOS (GLUTEN FREE AND VEGAN)
A while back, I stumbled across Oh My Veggies. They have all sorts of yummy veggie recipes, including a bunch of taco links.
This taco recipe, which was among the taco links on Oh My Veggies, is from Beard & Bonnet. Beard & Bonnet’s Meg van der Kruik is “the writer, mother, photographer, designer, cook and creative spirit behind Beard & Bonnet.”
This can be viewed online at http://beardandbonnet.com/white-bean-and-potato-tacos-gluten-free-and-vegan/.
Serves 4; Prep Time: 20 min
Ingredients
2 cups cooked white beans, I used Navy beans, or 1 can of cannelini beans, washed and drained
4-5 small potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed, and cut into tiny cubes (or 1 large russet potato)
1/2 cup cilantro, minced
Juice and zest of 1 lime
Olive oil for frying
salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
To assemble
6-8 white corn tortillas, blistered on both sides in a cast iron skillet
pickled jalapenos & radishes
cherry tomatoes, halved; I used Sungold cherry tomatoes from my CSA
lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Pour about 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and a large pinch of salt, toss to coat and cover with a tight fitting lid. The potatoes will take about 5-8 minutes to cook through. Be sure to periodically lift the lid, scrape the pan, and toss the potatoes to ensure that all sides are crisp and golden.
While the potatoes are cooking toss the precooked, warmed, white beans with the chopped cilantro, lime zest, and juice. Mix well to combine and set aside.
When the potatoes are finished cooking set up an assembly line at your table with the tortillas, potatoes, white beans, and toppings. Allow your family to each build there own to suit their tastes.
CRISPY TOFU TACOS
This is from Alexa Weibel in The New York Time cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Alexa wrote, "There are plenty of crispy tofu recipes, but few truly deliver on the promise, since tofu has a tendency to steam because of its high moisture content. But time can do the trick in the oven, creating brittle edges and a chewy texture with little effort. Squeeze out as much excess liquid as you can from your block of tofu, grate it coarsely, season it fearlessly, then roast it until sizzling. The key step is to drizzle the tofu with a combination of olive oil and tomato paste toward the end of cooking, which crisps the edges and lends a deep umami flavor, so much so that this tofu could almost be mistaken for seasoned ground beef. A swipe of avocado mayo, loosened with lime juice and electrified with zest, adds richness and tang, and quite literally holds the tacos together. Choose your mayonnaise and tortillas wisely and the whole dish is vegan."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1-1/4 hours; Yield: 8 to 10 tacos
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026900-crispy-tofu-tacos. While you're at it, sign up for The New York Time cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
2 (14- to 16-ounce) blocks firm tofu
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne (the lower end is mild; the higher end tingly but not spicy)
Salt and black pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 ripe avocados
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (vegan, if desired)
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest and 3 tablespoons juice
8 flour or 10 corn tortillas, warmed
Minced red onion, thinly sliced radishes and chopped cilantro, for serving
Preparation
Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
Prepare your tofu: Drain it, squeezing out any excess moisture over the sink (your tofu may break into chunks). Coarsely grate the drained tofu onto two large (11-by-17-inch), foil-lined sheet pans. (The tofu will crumble chaotically, and that is fine!) Drizzle the tofu in each pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. In a small bowl, mix the cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper; sprinkle half the seasonings over each pan and toss to coat. Spread the mixture in an even layer.
Roast the tofu, stirring halfway through and rotating the pans, until the tofu sizzles, darkens and crisps, 30 to 35 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix together the tomato paste with the remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Drizzle the mixture over the tofu, adding half to each pan, then toss to combine, spread into an even layer and roast again until the tofu audibly crackles and develops a slight crunch, 10 to 15 minutes.
While the tofu roasts, prepare the avocado cream: In a small food processor (or blender), blend the avocados, mayo, lime zest and juice until creamy; season generously with salt.
Swipe the warmed tortillas with the avocado cream, then top with tofu mixture, red onion, radishes and cilantro. Serve immediately.
AMERICAN BBQ TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “For authentic Southern flavor, top these tacos with prepared coleslaw instead of shredded lettuce.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
BBQ Sauce
1 1/2 Tbs. ketchup
1 Tbs. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. honey
1/8 tsp. hot sauce, or more to taste
Tacos
1 1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 cup sliced button mushrooms
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 cup soy crumbles, such as Lightlife Gimme Lean
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
2 Tbs. chopped red onion
1/3 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup shredded Romaine lettuce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbs. pickle relish, optional
Instructions:
To make BBQ Sauce: Combine all ingredients in bowl.
To make Tacos: Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, and carrots, and cook 3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened, stirring halfway through. Add soy crumbles and 2 Tbs. BBQ Sauce. Cook 8 minutes, or until soy crumbles are browned.
Fill tortillas with soy crumble mixture. Top with red onion, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and relish, if desired. Serve with BBQ Sauce.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 178; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Sodium: 409 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 4 g
CAULIFLOWER AND RED ONION TACOS
This also comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Vegetables bathed in vinegar are typical condiments in Mexico, but you can bring them to the center of the plate as a filling for a taco. If you want spice, add the chipotle, or garnish with some salsa. If salt is an issue, use ranchero rather than cotija cheese.” Yield: 6 servings; Time: About 45 minutes.
This was also featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 large or 2 small or medium cauliflowers, broken into florets (about 6 cups)
1 red onion, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced crosswise across the grain
1 to 2 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup white wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar (to taste)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 or 2 chipotle chilies in adobo or pickled jalapeños, drained and thinly sliced (optional)
12 corn tortillas
1 romaine heart, cut crosswise in thin strips (chiffonade)
3 ounces cotija or ranchero cheese
Preparation
Step 1
Place the cauliflower and onion in a steaming basket over 1 inch of boiling water. Cover and steam 1 minute. Lift the lid for 15 seconds, then cover again and steam for 5 to 8 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Refresh with cold water and drain on paper towels.
In a large bowl, mix together the garlic, cilantro, capers, vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower and onion and toss together. Marinate, stirring from time to time, for 30 minutes if possible before serving. For an added kick, stir in the chili or chilies. Transfer the mixture to a skillet and heat through over medium heat.
Warm the tortillas. Top with the marinated vegetables and a handful of romaine, sprinkle on the cheese and serve.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make the cauliflower and onion mixture up to a day ahead, but omit the cilantro until shortly before serving so that its color doesn't fade. The filling keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
JAMAICAN CURRIED TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The yellow curry filling, mustard greens, and red pepper strips lend these spicy tacos the colors of the tropics.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, diced (1 cup)
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup curly mustard greens, finely chopped
2 Tbs. chopped peanuts, optional
Instructions:
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is softened. Stir in tempeh, pineapple juice, cilantro, curry powder, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes, or until pineapple juice evaporates and tempeh starts to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
Fill tortillas with tempeh mixture. Add red bell pepper and mustard greens. Top with peanuts, if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 7.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 313 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 6 g
VEGETARIAN BEAN TACOS
This recipe, by Kim Behby at Taste of Home, is originally from Amanda Petrucelli, Plymouth, Indiana. This recipe begins, "You don't need to be a vegetarian to eat vegetarian tacos! Loaded with beans, spices and sauteed onions, these hearty tacos are a quick and easy meal the whole family will enjoy."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/vegetarian-bean-tacos/#RecipeCard.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 can (16 ounces) vegetarian refried beans
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, drained
4 whole wheat tortillas (8 inches), warmed
Optional toppings: Shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, cubed avocado, sour cream and salsa
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeno; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic and seasonings; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in beans and tomatoes; heat through.
Serve bean mixture in tortillas with toppings as desired.
WHITE BEAN AND POTATO TACOS (GLUTEN FREE AND VEGAN)
A while back, I stumbled across Oh My Veggies. They have all sorts of yummy veggie recipes, including a bunch of taco links.
This taco recipe, which was among the taco links on Oh My Veggies, is from Beard & Bonnet. Beard & Bonnet’s Meg van der Kruik is “the writer, mother, photographer, designer, cook and creative spirit behind Beard & Bonnet.”
This can be viewed online at http://beardandbonnet.com/white-bean-and-potato-tacos-gluten-free-and-vegan/.
Serves 4; Prep Time: 20 min
Ingredients
2 cups cooked white beans, I used Navy beans, or 1 can of cannelini beans, washed and drained
4-5 small potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed, and cut into tiny cubes (or 1 large russet potato)
1/2 cup cilantro, minced
Juice and zest of 1 lime
Olive oil for frying
salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
To assemble
6-8 white corn tortillas, blistered on both sides in a cast iron skillet
pickled jalapenos & radishes
cherry tomatoes, halved; I used Sungold cherry tomatoes from my CSA
lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Pour about 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and a large pinch of salt, toss to coat and cover with a tight fitting lid. The potatoes will take about 5-8 minutes to cook through. Be sure to periodically lift the lid, scrape the pan, and toss the potatoes to ensure that all sides are crisp and golden.
While the potatoes are cooking toss the precooked, warmed, white beans with the chopped cilantro, lime zest, and juice. Mix well to combine and set aside.
When the potatoes are finished cooking set up an assembly line at your table with the tortillas, potatoes, white beans, and toppings. Allow your family to each build there own to suit their tastes.
CRISPY TOFU TACOS
This is from Alexa Weibel in The New York Time cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Alexa wrote, "There are plenty of crispy tofu recipes, but few truly deliver on the promise, since tofu has a tendency to steam because of its high moisture content. But time can do the trick in the oven, creating brittle edges and a chewy texture with little effort. Squeeze out as much excess liquid as you can from your block of tofu, grate it coarsely, season it fearlessly, then roast it until sizzling. The key step is to drizzle the tofu with a combination of olive oil and tomato paste toward the end of cooking, which crisps the edges and lends a deep umami flavor, so much so that this tofu could almost be mistaken for seasoned ground beef. A swipe of avocado mayo, loosened with lime juice and electrified with zest, adds richness and tang, and quite literally holds the tacos together. Choose your mayonnaise and tortillas wisely and the whole dish is vegan."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1-1/4 hours; Yield: 8 to 10 tacos
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026900-crispy-tofu-tacos. While you're at it, sign up for The New York Time cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
2 (14- to 16-ounce) blocks firm tofu
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne (the lower end is mild; the higher end tingly but not spicy)
Salt and black pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 ripe avocados
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (vegan, if desired)
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest and 3 tablespoons juice
8 flour or 10 corn tortillas, warmed
Minced red onion, thinly sliced radishes and chopped cilantro, for serving
Preparation
Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
Prepare your tofu: Drain it, squeezing out any excess moisture over the sink (your tofu may break into chunks). Coarsely grate the drained tofu onto two large (11-by-17-inch), foil-lined sheet pans. (The tofu will crumble chaotically, and that is fine!) Drizzle the tofu in each pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. In a small bowl, mix the cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper; sprinkle half the seasonings over each pan and toss to coat. Spread the mixture in an even layer.
Roast the tofu, stirring halfway through and rotating the pans, until the tofu sizzles, darkens and crisps, 30 to 35 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix together the tomato paste with the remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Drizzle the mixture over the tofu, adding half to each pan, then toss to combine, spread into an even layer and roast again until the tofu audibly crackles and develops a slight crunch, 10 to 15 minutes.
While the tofu roasts, prepare the avocado cream: In a small food processor (or blender), blend the avocados, mayo, lime zest and juice until creamy; season generously with salt.
Swipe the warmed tortillas with the avocado cream, then top with tofu mixture, red onion, radishes and cilantro. Serve immediately.
AMERICAN BBQ TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “For authentic Southern flavor, top these tacos with prepared coleslaw instead of shredded lettuce.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
BBQ Sauce
1 1/2 Tbs. ketchup
1 Tbs. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. honey
1/8 tsp. hot sauce, or more to taste
Tacos
1 1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 cup sliced button mushrooms
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 cup soy crumbles, such as Lightlife Gimme Lean
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
2 Tbs. chopped red onion
1/3 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup shredded Romaine lettuce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbs. pickle relish, optional
Instructions:
To make BBQ Sauce: Combine all ingredients in bowl.
To make Tacos: Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, and carrots, and cook 3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened, stirring halfway through. Add soy crumbles and 2 Tbs. BBQ Sauce. Cook 8 minutes, or until soy crumbles are browned.
Fill tortillas with soy crumble mixture. Top with red onion, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and relish, if desired. Serve with BBQ Sauce.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 178; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Sodium: 409 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 4 g
CAULIFLOWER AND RED ONION TACOS
This also comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Vegetables bathed in vinegar are typical condiments in Mexico, but you can bring them to the center of the plate as a filling for a taco. If you want spice, add the chipotle, or garnish with some salsa. If salt is an issue, use ranchero rather than cotija cheese.” Yield: 6 servings; Time: About 45 minutes.
This was also featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 large or 2 small or medium cauliflowers, broken into florets (about 6 cups)
1 red onion, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced crosswise across the grain
1 to 2 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup white wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar (to taste)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 or 2 chipotle chilies in adobo or pickled jalapeños, drained and thinly sliced (optional)
12 corn tortillas
1 romaine heart, cut crosswise in thin strips (chiffonade)
3 ounces cotija or ranchero cheese
Preparation
Step 1
Place the cauliflower and onion in a steaming basket over 1 inch of boiling water. Cover and steam 1 minute. Lift the lid for 15 seconds, then cover again and steam for 5 to 8 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Refresh with cold water and drain on paper towels.
In a large bowl, mix together the garlic, cilantro, capers, vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower and onion and toss together. Marinate, stirring from time to time, for 30 minutes if possible before serving. For an added kick, stir in the chili or chilies. Transfer the mixture to a skillet and heat through over medium heat.
Warm the tortillas. Top with the marinated vegetables and a handful of romaine, sprinkle on the cheese and serve.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make the cauliflower and onion mixture up to a day ahead, but omit the cilantro until shortly before serving so that its color doesn't fade. The filling keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
JAMAICAN CURRIED TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The yellow curry filling, mustard greens, and red pepper strips lend these spicy tacos the colors of the tropics.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, diced (1 cup)
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup curly mustard greens, finely chopped
2 Tbs. chopped peanuts, optional
Instructions:
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is softened. Stir in tempeh, pineapple juice, cilantro, curry powder, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes, or until pineapple juice evaporates and tempeh starts to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
Fill tortillas with tempeh mixture. Add red bell pepper and mustard greens. Top with peanuts, if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 7.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 313 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 6 g
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