Vegetarian Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

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Showing posts with label Falafel Tacos w/Sriracha Tahini Sauce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Falafel Tacos w/Sriracha Tahini Sauce. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Taco Tusday

It's Taco Tuesday. Here are six yummy vegetarian taco recipes to help you through the day, including Loaded Guacamole Vegetarian Tacos and Edamame Tacos with Peanut Sauce. Enjoy!

LOADED CRISPY TOFU TACOS

This is from The Woks of Life, and can be viewed online at http://thewoksoflife.com/2014/07/loaded-crispy-tofu-tacos/.

Prep time: 30 mins; Cook time: 15 mins; Total time: 45 mins; Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 package firm tofu

1 tablespoon Sriracha

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 cup fine cornmeal

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup oil

3 scallions

1 bunch cilantro

1/4 cup yogurt

warm corn tortillas

Other toppings:

shredded cheese

chopped tomato

chopped onion

sweet corn

avocado

lime wedges

Instructions

Cut the tofu into 3/4 inch cubes. In a wide, shallow bowl, combine the Sriracha and honey, and gently toss the tofu in the mixture. In another wide, shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Toss the tofu in this dry mixture until well-coated.

In a cast iron or non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the tofu and allow the pieces to crisp up on all sides. While that's happening, whizz up the scallions, cilantro, and yogurt in a food processor or blender. Build your tacos with tortillas, your sauce, and whatever toppings you like.

LOADED GUACAMOLE VEGETARIAN TACOS

This is from Karen, the Soup Addict. Karen wrote, “Veggie-loaded with lots of guacamole, black beans, corn, and peppers, these vegetarian tacos are full-on yummy.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 8 minutes; Total Time: 28 minutes; Serves: 6 tacos.

This can be viewed online at http://soupaddict.com/2014/06/loaded-guacamole-vegetarian-tacos/.

Ingredients

for the guacamole

2 avocados, pit and skin removed, roughly chopped

1/2 of a lime

1/2 of a lemon

1/4 salt (plus extra as needed)

1/3 cup corn kernels (raw, from about 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

2 tablespoons diced poblano pepper

1 tablespoon diced red onion

1 tablespoon diced jalapeño pepper

2 teaspoons minced cilantro

1 clove garlic, minced

for the black beans

1 can black beans (15 ounces)

1/3 cup corn kerns (raw, from 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup poblano peppers, diced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

for the tacos

6 small flour or soft corn tortillas

2 cups chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce

1 tablespoon minced cilantro

hot sauce, such as Cholula or Sriracha (optional)

lime and/or lemon wedges

Instructions

prepare the guacamole

Mash the avocado in a medium bowl with a fork (or molcajete) until it reaches your desired consistency, chunky or smooth. Add a small squeeze each of lime and lemon juice, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well and taste. Add more lime juice, lemon juice, and salt as you like. Stir in the remaining guacamole ingredients. (To make ahead, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and press gently against the guacamole. The entire surface of the guac should be touching and covered by the wrap, to keep air out. Then, cover the bowl with a second sheet of wrap, and refrigerate.)

prepare the black beans

Add all of the black bean ingredients to a 2 quart sauce pot and heat over medium-low until hot. Turn off the heat and allow to cool to a very warm, eatable temp (a few minutes should do it).

assemble

If the tortillas are not soft and pliable (or if you like your tortillas warm), stack them on a microwaveable plate, separated with paper towels, and heat for 20 to 30 seconds.

Line half of each tortilla with lettuce. Spoon the black bean mixture over the lettuce (on half of the tortilla). Spoon guacamole on the other half. Top with a few shakes of hot sauce (optional) and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve with lemon and lime wedges.

EDAMAME TACOS WITH PEANUT SAUCE

This yummy recipe comes from Alissa, whose blog, Connoisseurus Veg, looks really fantastic.

Alissa wrote, “These crunchy edamame tacos are filled with a blend of tender cilantro-lime seasoned soybeans, fresh greens and Thai peanut sauce,” adding, “Mexican-Thai-Japanese fusion at its finest.”

Serves 4; Prep Times: 5 min; Cook Time: 10 min; Total Time: 15.

To view this on Alissa’s blog, click here.

Ingredients

For Peanut Sauce

1/4 cup natural peanut butter

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tbsp. maple syrup or agave

1-2 tbsp. water

For the Edamame Tacos

1 tbsp. canola oil (or other neutral-flavored vegetable oil)

1 medium onion, diced

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cooked, shelled edamame

1 1/2 tbsp. lime juice

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 scallions, chopped

about 2 cups baby spinach, arugula or spring mix

8 taco shells, preferably homemade

Instructions

Make the Peanut Sauce

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl, adding as much water as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Make the Edamame Tacos

Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and edamame. Continue to sauté until edamame begin to brown in spots, about another 5 minutes.

Add lime juice and salt. Sauté another 30 seconds and remove from heat.

Add cilantro and scallions. Mix well.

Divide mixture among taco shells and top with greens and peanut sauce.

BLACK BEAN AND POBLANO TACOS

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “There are many kinds of tacos, some piled high and overstuffed and some more minimal, meant to be more a snack than a meal. These little tacos are in the second category, similar to what you might find in a Mexican market for a quick bite. Savory black beans and roasted poblano chiles make a satisfying vegetarian version. Fresh soft corn tortillas, hot off the griddle, are essential.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

This was featured in “The Unstuffy Taco” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 pound black beans, rinsed and soaked 4 to 6 hours, or overnight if possible

1 small onion, halved

1 bay leaf

1 large sprig epazote (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

4 poblano chiles

Soft corn tortillas

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella or Oaxacan-style string cheese, shredded

1/2 pound queso fresco, available in Latino groceries

8 ounces crème fraîche or Mexican crema

Preparation

Drain beans, put in medium pot, add water to cover and bring to a boil over hight heat. Add onion, bay leaf, epazote and salt and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, longer if necessary, adding water occasionally if liquid falls below surface of beans. When beans are tender, taste and adjust salt. Keep beans warm in their broth.

Meanwhile, roast poblano chiles over a charcoal grill, under the broiler or directly on a gas stovetop burners until skins are completely blackened and blistered. Set chiles aside to cool, then split lengthwise. Scrape away skins and seeds with a paring knife. Cut cleaned chiles into 1/2-inch ribbons, transfer to small bowl and season lightly with salt.

To serve, warm the tortillas on a hot griddle or cast iron pan over a burner. Put 2 warm tortillas side by side on a small plate. With a slotted spoon, place 2 tablespoons beans on each tortilla. Top with a few shreds of mozzarella and 2 or 3 strips of poblano. Crumble a little queso fresco and drizzle about 1 teaspoon crème fraîche on each taco.

FALAFEL TACOS WITH SRIRACHA TAHINI SAUCE

I found this on a really cool vegetarian food blog called Oh My Veggies. It’s one that I really think you’ll enjoy!

This particular recipe is from Keepin’ It Kind, a blog by “animal lover, travel fanatic, and chickpea devotee” Kristy. This yummy recipe yields 6 tacos and can be viewed on Kristy’s site at http://keepinitkind.com/falafel-tacos-with-sriracha-tahini-sauce/.

Ingredients

for the falafel

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (or mixture of fresh parsley and cilantro)

1/4 red onion, chopped

2 – 3 cloves garlic

juice from 1/2 a lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

several dashes of black pepper

salt to taste (I used about 3/4 tsp)

3 tablespoon chickpea flour

1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional, but adds a little extra oomph)

for the tacos

6 taco shells

1 – 2 cups lettuce

tomato slices

other taco fillings

for the sriracha tahini sauce

1/4 cup tahini sauce

1/4 cup water

1 – 2 tablespoon Sriracha

juice from 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried dill

Instructions

for the sriracha tahini sauce

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or if using an immersion blender, a small bowl. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

for the tacos

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Combine all falafel ingredients (chickpeas through nutritional yeast) in a food processor and process until you have a mostly smooth ball of “dough.”

Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and use your hands to roll the scoop into a ball. Flatten it slightly and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until there is no more dough left. You should have about 18-20 falafel.

Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Remove from oven. Stuff a little lettuce in each taco shell, then stuff about 3 patties into each taco shell. Top with tomato slices and any other taco fillings you would like to use (cucumber, avocado, bell pepper, etc.). Drizzle the taco with the Sriracha Tahini Sauce (recipe below) and serve warm. Enjoy!

GRILLED TOFU TACOS WITH WALLA WALLA SWEET ONION SLAW

I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.

The recipe is actually called Grilled Tofu Tacos with Walla Walla Sweet Onion Slaw (And Optional Chicken), but I've left the chicken out, for obvious reasons. This recipe begins, “Smoky seasoned tofu, creamy avocado, and crunchy slaw make these super easy summer tacos shine.”

PREP: 2 HOURS 20 MINUTES COOK: 15 MINUTES TOTAL: 2 HOURS 35 MINUTES; YIELD: 10-12 TACOS.

This is from Kitchen Treaty and can be viewed online at http://www.kitchentreaty.com/grilled-tofu-tacos-with-walla-walla-sweet-onion-slaw-and-optional-chicken/

Ingredients

2 (14-ounce) blocks extra-firm tofu

For the marinade:

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

For the slaw:

1/2 medium cabbage, quartered and thinly sliced

1/2 medium Walla Walla Sweet onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup lime juice

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Plus:

1 large avocado, sliced

10-12 tortillas (depending on how full you like to stuff your tacos)*

Directions:

Press tofu to drain. I place each block on a dinner plate on top of a layer of paper towels, then place more paper towels on top. Then I put 3-4 dinner plates on top and let it press down on the tofu for 20-30 minutes. Slice tofu into 6-7 1/2-inch pieces. Place in a zipper bag or container with airtight cover.

Make the marinade. Add all marinade ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined. Pour marinade over tofu. Place in refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours.

Heat grill to medium-high, about 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook tofu until browned and cooked through, 10-14 minutes. We only have one grill, so we always use the left side for my vegetarian stuff, and the right side for the meaty stuff. Remove tofu from grill and let cool enough to cut into taco-size pieces (I just cut the tofu pieces in half).

Place the tortillas on the grill and heat until slightly browned and heated through, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Keep on a plate covered by a damp dishtowel until ready to serve.

While the tofu and tortillas are cooking, make the slaw. In a large bowl, toss together all ingredients with salad tongs or your clean hands. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.

To assemble tacos, grab a tortilla and lay one or two avocado slices on the bottom. Top with a coulple pieces of tofu, and top with slaw. Serve.

*GLUTEN-FREE OPTION

Use corn tortillas (or other gluten-free tortillas)

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Taco Tuesday

It's Taco Tuesday! Here are six yummy vegetarian taco recipes to help you through the day, including Falafel Tacos with Sriracha Tahini Sauce and Black Bean Tacos with Roasted Peppers and Onions. Enjoy!

ROASTED PORTOBELLO SOFT TACOS

I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found here.

Yield: serves 2-4

From Keepin’ It Kind. View this online at http://keepinitkind.com/roasted-portobello-soft-tacos/. Serves 2 – 4.

Ingredients

3 portobello mushrooms, stems removed and chopped

2 tablespoon Bragg Liquid Aminos

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

1/2 teaspoon dried onion granules

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup corn kernels (I used an organic frozen variety)

1/2 onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

2-3 large leaves of collard greens, stems removed and roughly chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon ancho chile pepper

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup cilantro

1/2 avocado, diced

6 corn tortillas (or small flour torillas)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the Portobello mushrooms, bottoms up, on the sheet.

In a small bowl, mix together the Bragg Liquid Aminos, balsamic vinegar, liquid smoke, thyme and marjoram. Drizzle over the mushrooms. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes (depending on how firm you want them). Remove and let cool until they are cool enough to handle.

While the mushrooms are in the oven, you can cook the veggies. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for one more minute. Add the bell peppers, corn, mushroom stems, cumin, smoked paprika, and ancho chile pepper, and mix to combine. Saute until bell peppers start to get a little soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, then add the collard greens. Saute until the collards just start to wilt (you don’t want them to get completely wilted). Toss in the cilantro, mix to combine and remove from heat.

Once the mushrooms are cool enough to handle, slice them, on a diagonal, into wide strips.

Take a clean kitchen towel and lightly wet it. Wrap the corn tortillas up in the damp kitchen towel and place the kitchen towel, with corn tortillas wrapped inside, on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 5-6 minutes.

Divide the veggie mixture amongst the 6 tortillas. Top the veggies with 2-3 slices of mushroom. Sprinkle the avocado chunks on top of each pile. You can also top with salsa and/or tofu sour cream.

Serve immediately and Enjoy!

BLACK BEAN AND POBLANO TACOS

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “There are many kinds of tacos, some piled high and overstuffed and some more minimal, meant to be more a snack than a meal. These little tacos are in the second category, similar to what you might find in a Mexican market for a quick bite. Savory black beans and roasted poblano chiles make a satisfying vegetarian version. Fresh soft corn tortillas, hot off the griddle, are essential.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

This was featured in “The Unstuffy Taco” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 pound black beans, rinsed and soaked 4 to 6 hours, or overnight if possible

1 small onion, halved

1 bay leaf

1 large sprig epazote (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

4 poblano chiles

Soft corn tortillas

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella or Oaxacan-style string cheese, shredded

1/2 pound queso fresco, available in Latino groceries

8 ounces crème fraîche or Mexican crema

Preparation

Drain beans, put in medium pot, add water to cover and bring to a boil over hight heat. Add onion, bay leaf, epazote and salt and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, longer if necessary, adding water occasionally if liquid falls below surface of beans. When beans are tender, taste and adjust salt. Keep beans warm in their broth.

Meanwhile, roast poblano chiles over a charcoal grill, under the broiler or directly on a gas stovetop burners until skins are completely blackened and blistered. Set chiles aside to cool, then split lengthwise. Scrape away skins and seeds with a paring knife. Cut cleaned chiles into 1/2-inch ribbons, transfer to small bowl and season lightly with salt.

To serve, warm the tortillas on a hot griddle or cast iron pan over a burner. Put 2 warm tortillas side by side on a small plate. With a slotted spoon, place 2 tablespoons beans on each tortilla. Top with a few shreds of mozzarella and 2 or 3 strips of poblano. Crumble a little queso fresco and drizzle about 1 teaspoon crème fraîche on each taco.

FALAFEL TACOS WITH SRIRACHA TAHINI SAUCE

I found this on a really cool vegetarian food blog called Oh My Veggies. It’s one that I really think you’ll enjoy!

This particular recipe is from Keepin’ It Kind, a blog by “animal lover, travel fanatic, and chickpea devotee” Kristy. This yummy recipe yields 6 tacos and can be viewed on Kristy’s site at http://keepinitkind.com/falafel-tacos-with-sriracha-tahini-sauce/.

Ingredients

for the falafel

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (or mixture of fresh parsley and cilantro)

1/4 red onion, chopped

2 – 3 cloves garlic

juice from 1/2 a lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

several dashes of black pepper

salt to taste (I used about 3/4 tsp)

3 tablespoon chickpea flour

1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional, but adds a little extra oomph)

for the tacos

6 taco shells

1 – 2 cups lettuce

tomato slices

other taco fillings

for the sriracha tahini sauce

1/4 cup tahini sauce

1/4 cup water

1 – 2 tablespoon Sriracha

juice from 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried dill

Instructions

for the sriracha tahini sauce

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or if using an immersion blender, a small bowl. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

for the tacos

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Combine all falafel ingredients (chickpeas through nutritional yeast) in a food processor and process until you have a mostly smooth ball of “dough.”

Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and use your hands to roll the scoop into a ball. Flatten it slightly and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until there is no more dough left. You should have about 18-20 falafel.

Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Remove from oven. Stuff a little lettuce in each taco shell, then stuff about 3 patties into each taco shell. Top with tomato slices and any other taco fillings you would like to use (cucumber, avocado, bell pepper, etc.). Drizzle the taco with the Sriracha Tahini Sauce (recipe below) and serve warm. Enjoy!

BLACK BEAN TACOS WITH ROASTED PEPPERS AND ONIONS

This comes from Vegetarian Times. This one begins, “For a fast meal that’s a surefire crowd-pleaser, these tacos fit the bill.” Yield: Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

Roasted Peppers and Onions

3 red bell peppers, thinly sliced (3 cups)

1 large onion, thinly sliced (1 1/2 cups)

1 Tbs. olive oil

Tacos

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)

6 cloves garlic, minced (2 Tbs.)

2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 15-oz. can diced organic fire-roasted tomatoes

1 Tbs. chili powder

1 Tbs. ground cumin

1/8 tsp. hot sauce, or more to taste

16 organic corn taco shells, warmed

Toppings

3 cups shredded lettuce

1 16-oz. container prepared salsa

2 large tomatoes, diced (2 cups)

2 avocados, diced (2 cups)

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup low-fat sour cream

Instructions:

To make Roasted Peppers and Onions: Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss peppers and onion with oil on large baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes, stir, and roast 15 minutes more, or until vegetables are tender and peppers are beginning to blacken. Transfer to small bowl.

Meanwhile, to make Tacos: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until soft. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more, or until fragrant. Stir in beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, and 1 cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Mash beans until filling is thickened, but chunky, and most beans remain intact. Adjust seasonings, if necessary. Transfer to serving bowl. Pass taco shells, filling, Roasted Peppers and Onions, and Toppings around the table.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 482; Protein: 16 g; Total Fat: 22 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 57 g; Cholesterol: 17 mg; Sodium: 665 mg; Fiber: 12 g; Sugar: 14 g

LOADED GUACAMOLE VEGETARIAN TACOS

This is from Karen, the Soup Addict. Karen wrote, “Veggie-loaded with lots of guacamole, black beans, corn, and peppers, these vegetarian tacos are full-on yummy.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 8 minutes; Total Time: 28 minutes; Serves: 6 tacos.

This can be viewed online at http://soupaddict.com/2014/06/loaded-guacamole-vegetarian-tacos/.

Ingredients

for the guacamole

2 avocados, pit and skin removed, roughly chopped

1/2 of a lime

1/2 of a lemon

1/4 salt (plus extra as needed)

1/3 cup corn kernels (raw, from about 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

2 tablespoons diced poblano pepper

1 tablespoon diced red onion

1 tablespoon diced jalapeño pepper

2 teaspoons minced cilantro

1 clove garlic, minced

for the black beans

1 can black beans (15 ounces)

1/3 cup corn kerns (raw, from 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup poblano peppers, diced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

for the tacos

6 small flour or soft corn tortillas

2 cups chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce

1 tablespoon minced cilantro

hot sauce, such as Cholula or Sriracha (optional)

lime and/or lemon wedges

Instructions

prepare the guacamole

Mash the avocado in a medium bowl with a fork (or molcajete) until it reaches your desired consistency, chunky or smooth. Add a small squeeze each of lime and lemon juice, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well and taste. Add more lime juice, lemon juice, and salt as you like. Stir in the remaining guacamole ingredients. (To make ahead, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and press gently against the guacamole. The entire surface of the guac should be touching and covered by the wrap, to keep air out. Then, cover the bowl with a second sheet of wrap, and refrigerate.)

Prepare the black beans

Add all of the black bean ingredients to a 2 quart sauce pot and heat over medium-low until hot. Turn off the heat and allow to cool to a very warm, eatable temp (a few minutes should do it).

Assemble

If the tortillas are not soft and pliable (or if you like your tortillas warm), stack them on a microwaveable plate, separated with paper towels, and heat for 20 to 30 seconds.

Line half of each tortilla with lettuce. Spoon the black bean mixture over the lettuce (on half of the tortilla). Spoon guacamole on the other half. Top with a few shakes of hot sauce (optional) and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve with lemon and lime wedges.

CRUNCHY BLACK BEAN TACOS

This comes from The Kitchn’s e-newsletter. If you haven’t signed up for The Kitchn’s e-newsletter yet, I highly recommend that, as well as its sibling site, Apartment Therapy.

This recipe serves 3 to 4, or makes 8 tacos; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes and can be found online by clicking here.

2 cups cooked black beans

1/2 cup minced red onion

2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

Pinch of salt

4 to 6 ounces (1 heaping cup) grated Pepper Jack cheese

2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

8 corn tortillas

Toppings

Avocado

Hot sauce

Salsa

Sour cream

In a medium bowl, add beans along with red onion, cilantro, cumin, and paprika. Add a pinch of salt and lightly mash all the ingredients together. Grate the cheese and have it ready as well.

In a large, nonstick or cast-iron skillet, add the 2 tablespoons oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add one corn tortilla at a time and let each get hot in the oil for a few seconds. Then add about 1/4 cup of the bean filling to one half of the tortilla. Top with a sprinkle of grated cheese. Try not to overfill the tacos, or you might have issues flipping them without losing filling.

Using a spatula, carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over to form a shell. Press down lightly on the tortilla so it holds its shape. If some cheese spills out, don’t worry — it will get crispy and delicious.

As the first taco cooks, move it to the side and begin a second one. Depending on the size of your pan, you can cook two or three tacos at once. A griddle will hold even more.

Cook each taco until they are nicely browned and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. When flipping the taco to cook on the other side, use a spatula and flip the taco toward the fold so the filling doesn’t fall out. If your pan is very dry between batches, add another drizzle of oil.

Place the cooked tacos in a warm oven while you finish the rest. If the tacos are very greasy, blot them with a paper towel before moving them to the oven.

Serve tacos with toppings like hot sauce, salsa, avocados, and sour cream.

Recipe Notes:

Corn tortillas are resilient to heat. Don’t worry about burning them; they are very sturdy. Just be sure to cook tortillas on each side long enough to get them really crispy.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Taco Tuesday

Yay! It's Taco Tuesday! Here are six yummy taco recipes to help you through the day, including Mushroom, Corn and Poblano Soft Tacos with Avocado Cream and Falafel Tacos w/Sriracha Tahini Sauce. Enjoy!

ROASTED TOMATILLO AND BLACK BEAN TACOS

This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “To prepare fresh tomatillos, strip off the husks and rinse under warm water to remove any sticky sap clinging to the skin.” Serves 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

3/4 lb. fresh whole tomatillos, husks removed

1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)

1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)

3 large cloves garlic, peeled

3 Tbs. coarsely chopped cilantro, divided

1 1/2 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

4 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed

1 small avocado, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

2 Tbs. queso fresco or feta cheese

1/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, optional

1/4 cup low-fat sour cream, optional

Instructions:

Preheat oven to broil. Place oven rack 3 inches from heat source. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray, and spread tomatillos, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic on prepared baking sheet. Broil 12 minutes, or until tomatillos are blistered and charred, and onion and bell pepper are softened and charred, tossing once halfway through cooking time.

Pulse garlic, 1 Tbs. cilantro, jalapeño, and tomatillos 10 times in food processor, or until chunky. Season with salt and pepper.

Toss 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce with black beans, red bell pepper, and onion.

Fill tortillas with black bean mixture, avocado, and queso fresco. Garnish with remaining cilantro and corn kernels, if desired. Serve remaining tomatillo sauce and sour cream, if desired, on side.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 226; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Sodium: 457 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 7 g; Yield: Serves 4

BLACK BEAN AND POBLANO TACOS

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “There are many kinds of tacos, some piled high and overstuffed and some more minimal, meant to be more a snack than a meal. These little tacos are in the second category, similar to what you might find in a Mexican market for a quick bite. Savory black beans and roasted poblano chiles make a satisfying vegetarian version. Fresh soft corn tortillas, hot off the griddle, are essential.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

This was featured in “The Unstuffy Taco” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 pound black beans, rinsed and soaked 4 to 6 hours, or overnight if possible

1 small onion, halved

1 bay leaf

1 large sprig epazote (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

4 poblano chiles

Soft corn tortillas

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella or Oaxacan-style string cheese, shredded

1/2 pound queso fresco, available in Latino groceries

8 ounces crème fraîche or Mexican crema

Preparation

Drain beans, put in medium pot, add water to cover and bring to a boil over hight heat. Add onion, bay leaf, epazote and salt and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, longer if necessary, adding water occasionally if liquid falls below surface of beans. When beans are tender, taste and adjust salt. Keep beans warm in their broth.

Meanwhile, roast poblano chiles over a charcoal grill, under the broiler or directly on a gas stovetop burners until skins are completely blackened and blistered. Set chiles aside to cool, then split lengthwise. Scrape away skins and seeds with a paring knife. Cut cleaned chiles into 1/2-inch ribbons, transfer to small bowl and season lightly with salt.

To serve, warm the tortillas on a hot griddle or cast iron pan over a burner. Put 2 warm tortillas side by side on a small plate. With a slotted spoon, place 2 tablespoons beans on each tortilla. Top with a few shreds of mozzarella and 2 or 3 strips of poblano. Crumble a little queso fresco and drizzle about 1 teaspoon crème fraîche on each taco.

FALAFEL TACOS WITH SRIRACHA TAHINI SAUCE

I found this on a really cool vegetarian food blog called Oh My Veggies. It’s one that I really think you’ll enjoy!

This particular recipe is from Keepin’ It Kind, a blog by “animal lover, travel fanatic, and chickpea devotee” Kristy. This yummy recipe yields 6 tacos and can be viewed on Kristy’s site at http://keepinitkind.com/falafel-tacos-with-sriracha-tahini-sauce/.

Ingredients

for the falafel

1-1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (or mixture of fresh parsley and cilantro)

1/4 red onion, chopped

2 – 3 cloves garlic

juice from 1/2 a lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill

1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

several dashes of black pepper

salt to taste (I used about 3/4 tsp)

3 tablespoon chickpea flour

1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional, but adds a little extra oomph)

for the tacos

6 taco shells

1 – 2 cups lettuce

tomato slices

other taco fillings

for the sriracha tahini sauce

1/4 cup tahini sauce

1/4 cup water

1 – 2 tablespoon Sriracha

juice from 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried dill

Instructions

for the sriracha tahini sauce

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or if using an immersion blender, a small bowl. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

for the tacos

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Combine all falafel ingredients (chickpeas through nutritional yeast) in a food processor and process until you have a mostly smooth ball of “dough.”

Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and use your hands to roll the scoop into a ball. Flatten it slightly and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until there is no more dough left. You should have about 18-20 falafel.

Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Remove from oven. Stuff a little lettuce in each taco shell, then stuff about 3 patties into each taco shell. Top with tomato slices and any other taco fillings you would like to use (cucumber, avocado, bell pepper, etc.). Drizzle the taco with the Sriracha Tahini Sauce (recipe below) and serve warm. Enjoy!

MUSHROOM, CORN AND POBLANO SOFT TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREAM

I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found here.

From Garnish with Lemon. View this online at http://www.garnishwithlemon.com/mushroom-corn-and-poblano-soft-tacos-with-avocado-cream/ Yields 5.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 (8-ounce) package mushrooms, sliced

1 cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 large poblano pepper, seeded and chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn

1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup salsa

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided

1 teaspoon hot sauce (or more, depending on your preference)

Kosher salt

10 taco-sized corn or flour tortillas

1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced

1/2 cup sour cream

Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Stir in onions, oregano, garlic, chili powder, cumin and poblano pepper and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add corn and beans to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat and stir in salsa, 1 tablespoon lime juice and hot sauce. Season to taste with salt.

Place avocado, sour cream and remaining lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth. If avocado cream is too thick, add additional lime juice to reach desired consistency. Season to taste with salt.

Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon mushroom mixture into tortillas, garnish with avocado cream and chopped cilantro. Serve.

GRILLED TOFU TACOS WITH WALLA WALLA SWEET ONION SLAW

I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.

The recipe is actually called Grilled Tofu Tacos with Walla Walla Sweet Onion Slaw (And Optional Chicken), but I've left the chicken out, for obvious reasons. This recipe begins, “Smoky seasoned tofu, creamy avocado, and crunchy slaw make these super easy summer tacos shine.”

PREP: 2 HOURS 20 MINUTES COOK: 15 MINUTES TOTAL: 2 HOURS 35 MINUTES; YIELD: 10-12 TACOS.

This is from Kitchen Treaty and can be viewed online at http://www.kitchentreaty.com/grilled-tofu-tacos-with-walla-walla-sweet-onion-slaw-and-optional-chicken/

Ingredients

2 (14-ounce) blocks extra-firm tofu

For the marinade:

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

For the slaw:

1/2 medium cabbage, quartered and thinly sliced

1/2 medium Walla Walla Sweet onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup lime juice

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Plus:

1 large avocado, sliced

10-12 tortillas (depending on how full you like to stuff your tacos)*

Directions:

Press tofu to drain. I place each block on a dinner plate on top of a layer of paper towels, then place more paper towels on top. Then I put 3-4 dinner plates on top and let it press down on the tofu for 20-30 minutes. Slice tofu into 6-7 1/2-inch pieces. Place in a zipper bag or container with airtight cover.

Make the marinade. Add all marinade ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined. Pour marinade over tofu. Place in refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours.

Heat grill to medium-high, about 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook tofu until browned and cooked through, 10-14 minutes. We only have one grill, so we always use the left side for my vegetarian stuff, and the right side for the meaty stuff. Remove tofu from grill and let cool enough to cut into taco-size pieces (I just cut the tofu pieces in half).

Place the tortillas on the grill and heat until slightly browned and heated through, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Keep on a plate covered by a damp dishtowel until ready to serve.

While the tofu and tortillas are cooking, make the slaw. In a large bowl, toss together all ingredients with salad tongs or your clean hands. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.

To assemble tacos, grab a tortilla and lay one or two avocado slices on the bottom. Top with a coulple pieces of tofu, and top with slaw. Serve.

*GLUTEN-FREE OPTION

Use corn tortillas (or other gluten-free tortillas)

LOADED CRISPY TOFU TACOS

This is from The Woks of Life, and can be viewed online at http://thewoksoflife.com/2014/07/loaded-crispy-tofu-tacos/.

Prep time: 30 mins; Cook time: 15 mins; Total time: 45 mins; Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

You'll need:

1 package firm tofu

1 tablespoon Sriracha

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 cup fine cornmeal

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup oil

3 scallions

1 bunch cilantro

1/4 cup yogurt

warm corn tortillas

Other toppings:

shredded cheese

chopped tomato

chopped onion

sweet corn

avocado

lime wedges

Instructions

Cut the tofu into 3/4 inch cubes. In a wide, shallow bowl, combine the Sriracha and honey, and gently toss the tofu in the mixture. In another wide, shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Toss the tofu in this dry mixture until well-coated.

In a cast iron or non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the tofu and allow the pieces to crisp up on all sides. While that's happening, whizz up the scallions, cilantro, and yogurt in a food processor or blender. Build your tacos with tortillas, your sauce, and whatever toppings you like.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Here are six yummy vegetarian tacos to help you through the day, including Tacos with Roasted Potatoes Squash and Peppers (Rajas) and Banana Chocolate Tacos. Enjoy!

ROASTED TOMATILLO AND BLACK BEAN TACOS

This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “To prepare fresh tomatillos, strip off the husks and rinse under warm water to remove any sticky sap clinging to the skin.”

Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-tomatillo-and-black-bean-tacos-recipe.

Ingredients

Ingredients

3/4 lb. fresh whole tomatillos, husks removed

1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)

1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)

3 large cloves garlic, peeled

3 Tbs. coarsely chopped cilantro, divided

1 1/2 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

4 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed

1 small avocado, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

2 Tbs. queso fresco or feta cheese

1/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, optional

1/4 cup low-fat sour cream, optional

Preparation

Preheat oven to broil. Place oven rack 3 inches from heat source. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray, and spread tomatillos, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic on prepared baking sheet. Broil 12 minutes, or until tomatillos are blistered and charred, and onion and bell pepper are softened and charred, tossing once halfway through cooking time.

Pulse garlic, 1 Tbs. cilantro, jalapeño, and tomatillos 10 times in food processor, or until chunky. Season with salt and pepper.

Toss 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce with black beans, red bell pepper, and onion.

Fill tortillas with black bean mixture, avocado, and queso fresco. Garnish with remaining cilantro and corn kernels, if desired. Serve remaining tomatillo sauce and sour cream, if desired, on side.

FALAFEL TACOS WITH SRIRACHA TAHINI SAUCE

I found this on a really cool vegetarian food blog called Oh My Veggies. It’s one that I really think you’ll enjoy!

This particular recipe is from Keepin’ It Kind, a blog by “animal lover, travel fanatic, and chickpea devotee” Kristy. This yummy recipe yields 6 tacos and can be viewed on Kristy’s site at http://keepinitkind.com/falafel-tacos-with-sriracha-tahini-sauce/.

Ingredients

for the falafel

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (or mixture of fresh parsley and cilantro)

1/4 red onion, chopped

2 – 3 cloves garlic

juice from 1/2 a lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

several dashes of black pepper

salt to taste (I used about 3/4 tsp)

3 tablespoon chickpea flour

1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional, but adds a little extra oomph)

for the tacos

6 taco shells

1 – 2 cups lettuce

tomato slices

other taco fillings

for the sriracha tahini sauce

1/4 cup tahini sauce

1/4 cup water

1 – 2 tablespoon Sriracha

juice from 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried dill

Instructions

for the sriracha tahini sauce

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or if using an immersion blender, a small bowl. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

for the tacos

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Combine all falafel ingredients (chickpeas through nutritional yeast) in a food processor and process until you have a mostly smooth ball of “dough.”

Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and use your hands to roll the scoop into a ball. Flatten it slightly and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until there is no more dough left. You should have about 18-20 falafel.

Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Remove from oven. Stuff a little lettuce in each taco shell, then stuff about 3 patties into each taco shell. Top with tomato slices and any other taco fillings you would like to use (cucumber, avocado, bell pepper, etc.). Drizzle the taco with the Sriracha Tahini Sauce (recipe below) and serve warm. Enjoy!

SWEET THAI PEANUT CAULIFLOWER TACOS

This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “Meatless Mondays aren’t just for Mondays anymore, and Taco Tuesdays are certainly not just meant for Tuesdays! Enjoy these meatless tacos any day of the week.

“The combination of savory and sweet paired with crispy cauliflower is also a win-win at any party. This is my husband, David’s, absolute favorite recipe in the book, and he has tried them all!”

Makes 4 servings

View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/sweet-thai-peanut-cauliflower-tacos-recipe.Ingredients

Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

1 cup packed organic light brown sugar

1/2 cup water, divided

1/2 cup rice vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon ketchup

Taco Sauce

1 batch Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

For Cauliflower:

Canola oil

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal or polenta

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups seltzer water

1 head cauliflower, cut into tiny florets (see Tip)

For Tacos:

8 small (6-inch) soft taco shells, warmed (see Tip)

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup shredded red cabbage

2 scallions, chopped (optional)

Cocktail peanuts, crushed (optional)

White sesame seeds (optional)

Preparation

Thai Chili Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, 1/4 cup of the water, rice vinegar, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the saucepan until well combined. Simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, until thickened.

Whisk in the ketchup and transfer to a serving dish or use as needed in a recipe. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Yield: 1 cup

Tacos

To make the sauce: In a small saucepan whisk together the Thai chili sauce and peanut butter. Bring to a simmer and heat for 2 to 5 minutes, or until all the peanut butter has mixed in and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from the heat and set aside.

To make the cauliflower: In a wok or large saucepan, pour 3 inches of canola oil. Heat the oil 350°F when tested with a candy thermometer or a drop of batter bubbles up to the top and fries quickly. Line a plate with paper towels.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal or polenta, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the seltzer water until well combined and a thick batter forms.

Working in 2 batches, transfer half of the cauliflower florets to the batter. Mix around until all the pieces are fully coated. Using tongs, shake off excess batter and carefully transfer battered cauliflower pieces, 1 at a time, into the frying oil.

Fry in small batches for 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to the paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.

When all the cauliflower has been fried, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the peanut-chili sauce.

To build the tacos: Start with a warm tortilla, 2 tablespoons carrot, 2 tablespoons cabbage, 6 to 8 coated cauliflower florets, and a sprinkle of scallions, peanuts, and sesame seeds (if using). Serve warm.

Tip

It’s important for these florets to be small so that several can fit on a taco. To make them the size of 1 or 2 marbles, completely remove the stem and cut the floret into smaller florets. Before you fry the cauliflower, warm the taco shells by setting them on a baking sheet (overlapping is okay) and placing in 200°F oven until time to build the tacos.

SALSA ROJA BLACK BEAN TACOS

This yummy taco recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “Salsa roja is a cooked salsa made with skillet- or grill-blackened onions, tomatoes, and garlic. Serve in warmed corn tortillas.”

Makes 4 servings

View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/salsa-roja-black-bean-tacos.

Ingredients

1 large onion, quartered, divided

2 round or plum tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, plus 1/2 tsp. adobo sauce

1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

Preparation

Cut one-quarter of onion into 3 or 4 chunks. Chop remaining three-quarters of onion, and set aside.

Place medium skillet over medium-high heat. Char onion chunks, tomatoes, and garlic cloves in dry skillet 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove onion and garlic to plate while tomatoes continue 
to blacken. Break up tomatoes with wooden spoon or spatula; return onion and garlic to skillet. Add chipotle chile, adobo sauce, and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes. Transfer to blender, and blend until smooth.

Wipe out skillet, and coat with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add chopped onion, cover, and cook 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add beans and salsa roja, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until thickened.

TACOS WITH ROASTED POTATOES, SQUASH AND PEPPERS (RAJAS)

This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, "You can turn the heat up or down on this taco, depending on your taste for spiciness. Season the potatoes, onions and squash before roasting. A comforting filling that you can heat up or tone down, depending on your taste for spicy. If you like heat, use a preponderance of poblanos and Anaheims for your peppers; if not, use more bell peppers. I season the potatoes, onions and squash with cumin and chili powder before I roast them, and serve the tacos with a cooked salsa ranchera." Yield: Serves 4; Time: 40 minutes.

This was featured in "Vegetarian Taco Night" and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 pound potatoes, such as Yukon golds, cut into 1-inch chunks

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground

1 teaspoon mild chili powder

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 pound summer squash, preferably a dense squash like Ronde de Nice, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 medium red onion, cut in half lengthwise and sliced in half-moons

1 pound mixed sweet and hot peppers (such as a mix of poblanos and bell peppers), roasted, peeled, seeded and cut in thin 2-inch strips

8 warm corn tortillas

1 recipe salsa ranchera (without chipotles)

3 ounces goat cheese (about 3/4 cup crumbled)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place potatoes on one baking sheet and toss with salt to taste, 3/4 teaspoon each of the ground cumin and chili powder, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread in an even layer.

Place squash and onion slices on other parchment-covered baking sheet and toss with the remaining olive oil, salt to taste, cumin and chili powder.

Depending on the size of your oven, roast vegetables together or separately on the middle rack. Roast potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender all the way through. Remove from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Roast squash and onions for about 15 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, until tender and lightly colored. Remove from oven and add to bowl with potatoes. Add pepper strips (rajas) and toss together. Season to taste with salt, and add more chili powder if desired. Keep warm.

Spoon filling onto warm tortillas and add a generous spoonful of salsa. Top with goat cheese and serve.

BANANA CHOCOLATE TACOS

Chocolate? Bananas? On tacos? Sure, why not? This one is from the May 2016 issue of Runner’s World, and begins, “This taco is a smart dessert choice as research shows dark chocolate can improve brain functioning. Each bite also has the carbs needed to restock your muscles after a spirited run. Plus, ricotta is rich in whey protein to make it easier to build stronger muscles.”

This can be found here.

Ingredients

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

2 Tbsp. almond butter

1 Tbsp. maple syrup

1–2 tsp. orange zest

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 oz. chopped dark chocolate

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

4 small bananas, sliced into 1/2" pieces

4 small (6") whole-wheat tortillas, heated according to package

1/4 cup unsweetened toasted coconut flakes

Instructions

Stir together ricotta, almond butter, syrup, orange zest and vanilla.

Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until chocolate is melted. Stir in cinnamon.

Spread ricotta mixture on tortillas and top with banana. Drizzle chocolate sauce over top and sprinkle on coconut flakes. Serves 4.

Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 439; Protein: 14 g; Carbs: 54 g; Fiber: 13 g; Total fat: 20 g; Saturated fat: 9.5 g; Sodium: 342 mg.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Taco Tuesday

It's Taco Tuesday. Here are six yummy vegetarian taco recipes to help you through the day, including Loaded Guacamole Vegetarian Tacos and Edamame Tacos with Peanut Sauce. Enjoy!

LOADED CRISPY TOFU TACOS

This is from The Woks of Life, and can be viewed online at http://thewoksoflife.com/2014/07/loaded-crispy-tofu-tacos/.

Prep time: 30 mins; Cook time: 15 mins; Total time: 45 mins; Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients

You'll need:

1 package firm tofu

1 tablespoon Sriracha

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 cup fine cornmeal

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup oil

3 scallions

1 bunch cilantro

1/4 cup yogurt

warm corn tortillas

Other toppings:

shredded cheese

chopped tomato

chopped onion

sweet corn

avocado

lime wedges

Instructions

Cut the tofu into 3/4 inch cubes. In a wide, shallow bowl, combine the Sriracha and honey, and gently toss the tofu in the mixture. In another wide, shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Toss the tofu in this dry mixture until well-coated.

In a cast iron or non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the tofu and allow the pieces to crisp up on all sides. While that's happening, whizz up the scallions, cilantro, and yogurt in a food processor or blender. Build your tacos with tortillas, your sauce, and whatever toppings you like.

LOADED GUACAMOLE VEGETARIAN TACOS

This is from Karen, the Soup Addict. Karen wrote, “Veggie-loaded with lots of guacamole, black beans, corn, and peppers, these vegetarian tacos are full-on yummy.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 8 minutes; Total Time: 28 minutes; Serves: 6 tacos.

This can be viewed online at http://soupaddict.com/2014/06/loaded-guacamole-vegetarian-tacos/.

Ingredients

for the guacamole

2 avocados, pit and skin removed, roughly chopped

1/2 of a lime

1/2 of a lemon

1/4 salt (plus extra as needed)

1/3 cup corn kernels (raw, from about 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

2 tablespoons diced poblano pepper

1 tablespoon diced red onion

1 tablespoon diced jalapeño pepper

2 teaspoons minced cilantro

1 clove garlic, minced

for the black beans

1 can black beans (15 ounces)

1/3 cup corn kerns (raw, from 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup poblano peppers, diced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

for the tacos

6 small flour or soft corn tortillas

2 cups chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce

1 tablespoon minced cilantro

hot sauce, such as Cholula or Sriracha (optional)

lime and/or lemon wedges

Instructions

prepare the guacamole

Mash the avocado in a medium bowl with a fork (or molcajete) until it reaches your desired consistency, chunky or smooth. Add a small squeeze each of lime and lemon juice, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well and taste. Add more lime juice, lemon juice, and salt as you like. Stir in the remaining guacamole ingredients. (To make ahead, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and press gently against the guacamole. The entire surface of the guac should be touching and covered by the wrap, to keep air out. Then, cover the bowl with a second sheet of wrap, and refrigerate.)

prepare the black beans

Add all of the black bean ingredients to a 2 quart sauce pot and heat over medium-low until hot. Turn off the heat and allow to cool to a very warm, eatable temp (a few minutes should do it).

assemble

If the tortillas are not soft and pliable (or if you like your tortillas warm), stack them on a microwaveable plate, separated with paper towels, and heat for 20 to 30 seconds.

Line half of each tortilla with lettuce. Spoon the black bean mixture over the lettuce (on half of the tortilla). Spoon guacamole on the other half. Top with a few shakes of hot sauce (optional) and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve with lemon and lime wedges.

EDAMAME TACOS WITH PEANUT SAUCE

This yummy recipe comes from Alissa, whose blog, Connoisseurus Veg, looks really fantastic.

Alissa wrote, “These crunchy edamame tacos are filled with a blend of tender cilantro-lime seasoned soybeans, fresh greens and Thai peanut sauce,” adding, “Mexican-Thai-Japanese fusion at its finest.”

Serves 4; Prep Times: 5 min; Cook Time: 10 min; Total Time: 15.

To view this on Alissa’s blog, click here.

Ingredients

For Peanut Sauce

1/4 cup natural peanut butter

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tbsp. maple syrup or agave

1-2 tbsp. water

For the Edamame Tacos

1 tbsp. canola oil (or other neutral-flavored vegetable oil)

1 medium onion, diced

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cooked, shelled edamame

1 1/2 tbsp. lime juice

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 scallions, chopped

about 2 cups baby spinach, arugula or spring mix

8 taco shells, preferably homemade

Instructions

Make the Peanut Sauce

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl, adding as much water as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Make the Edamame Tacos

Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and edamame. Continue to sauté until edamame begin to brown in spots, about another 5 minutes.

Add lime juice and salt. Sauté another 30 seconds and remove from heat.

Add cilantro and scallions. Mix well.

Divide mixture among taco shells and top with greens and peanut sauce.

BLACK BEAN AND POBLANO TACOS

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “There are many kinds of tacos, some piled high and overstuffed and some more minimal, meant to be more a snack than a meal. These little tacos are in the second category, similar to what you might find in a Mexican market for a quick bite. Savory black beans and roasted poblano chiles make a satisfying vegetarian version. Fresh soft corn tortillas, hot off the griddle, are essential.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

This was featured in “The Unstuffy Taco” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 pound black beans, rinsed and soaked 4 to 6 hours, or overnight if possible

1 small onion, halved

1 bay leaf

1 large sprig epazote (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

4 poblano chiles

Soft corn tortillas

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella or Oaxacan-style string cheese, shredded

1/2 pound queso fresco, available in Latino groceries

8 ounces crème fraîche or Mexican crema

Preparation

Drain beans, put in medium pot, add water to cover and bring to a boil over hight heat. Add onion, bay leaf, epazote and salt and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, longer if necessary, adding water occasionally if liquid falls below surface of beans. When beans are tender, taste and adjust salt. Keep beans warm in their broth.

Meanwhile, roast poblano chiles over a charcoal grill, under the broiler or directly on a gas stovetop burners until skins are completely blackened and blistered. Set chiles aside to cool, then split lengthwise. Scrape away skins and seeds with a paring knife. Cut cleaned chiles into 1/2-inch ribbons, transfer to small bowl and season lightly with salt.

To serve, warm the tortillas on a hot griddle or cast iron pan over a burner. Put 2 warm tortillas side by side on a small plate. With a slotted spoon, place 2 tablespoons beans on each tortilla. Top with a few shreds of mozzarella and 2 or 3 strips of poblano. Crumble a little queso fresco and drizzle about 1 teaspoon crème fraîche on each taco.

FALAFEL TACOS WITH SRIRACHA TAHINI SAUCE

I found this on a really cool vegetarian food blog called Oh My Veggies. It’s one that I really think you’ll enjoy!

This particular recipe is from Keepin’ It Kind, a blog by “animal lover, travel fanatic, and chickpea devotee” Kristy. This yummy recipe yields 6 tacos and can be viewed on Kristy’s site at http://keepinitkind.com/falafel-tacos-with-sriracha-tahini-sauce/.

Ingredients

for the falafel

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (or mixture of fresh parsley and cilantro)

1/4 red onion, chopped

2 – 3 cloves garlic

juice from 1/2 a lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

several dashes of black pepper

salt to taste (I used about 3/4 tsp)

3 tablespoon chickpea flour

1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional, but adds a little extra oomph)

for the tacos

6 taco shells

1 – 2 cups lettuce

tomato slices

other taco fillings

for the sriracha tahini sauce

1/4 cup tahini sauce

1/4 cup water

1 – 2 tablespoon Sriracha

juice from 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried dill

Instructions

for the sriracha tahini sauce

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or if using an immersion blender, a small bowl. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

for the tacos

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Combine all falafel ingredients (chickpeas through nutritional yeast) in a food processor and process until you have a mostly smooth ball of “dough.”

Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and use your hands to roll the scoop into a ball. Flatten it slightly and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until there is no more dough left. You should have about 18-20 falafel.

Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Remove from oven. Stuff a little lettuce in each taco shell, then stuff about 3 patties into each taco shell. Top with tomato slices and any other taco fillings you would like to use (cucumber, avocado, bell pepper, etc.). Drizzle the taco with the Sriracha Tahini Sauce (recipe below) and serve warm. Enjoy!

GRILLED TOFU TACOS WITH WALLA WALLA SWEET ONION SLAW

I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.

The recipe is actually called Grilled Tofu Tacos with Walla Walla Sweet Onion Slaw (And Optional Chicken), but I've left the chicken out, for obvious reasons. This recipe begins, “Smoky seasoned tofu, creamy avocado, and crunchy slaw make these super easy summer tacos shine.”

PREP: 2 HOURS 20 MINUTES COOK: 15 MINUTES TOTAL: 2 HOURS 35 MINUTES; YIELD: 10-12 TACOS.

This is from Kitchen Treaty and can be viewed online at http://www.kitchentreaty.com/grilled-tofu-tacos-with-walla-walla-sweet-onion-slaw-and-optional-chicken/

Ingredients

2 (14-ounce) blocks extra-firm tofu

For the marinade:

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

For the slaw:

1/2 medium cabbage, quartered and thinly sliced

1/2 medium Walla Walla Sweet onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup lime juice

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Plus:

1 large avocado, sliced

10-12 tortillas (depending on how full you like to stuff your tacos)*

Directions:

Press tofu to drain. I place each block on a dinner plate on top of a layer of paper towels, then place more paper towels on top. Then I put 3-4 dinner plates on top and let it press down on the tofu for 20-30 minutes. Slice tofu into 6-7 1/2-inch pieces. Place in a zipper bag or container with airtight cover.

Make the marinade. Add all marinade ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined. Pour marinade over tofu. Place in refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours.

Heat grill to medium-high, about 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook tofu until browned and cooked through, 10-14 minutes. We only have one grill, so we always use the left side for my vegetarian stuff, and the right side for the meaty stuff. Remove tofu from grill and let cool enough to cut into taco-size pieces (I just cut the tofu pieces in half).

Place the tortillas on the grill and heat until slightly browned and heated through, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Keep on a plate covered by a damp dishtowel until ready to serve.

While the tofu and tortillas are cooking, make the slaw. In a large bowl, toss together all ingredients with salad tongs or your clean hands. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.

To assemble tacos, grab a tortilla and lay one or two avocado slices on the bottom. Top with a coulple pieces of tofu, and top with slaw. Serve.

*GLUTEN-FREE OPTION

Use corn tortillas (or other gluten-free tortillas)

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Taco Tuesday

It's Taco Tuesday. Here are six taco recipes to help you through the day, including Black Bean and Poblano Tacos and Seitan Tacos. Enjoy!

BLACK BEAN AND POBLANO TACOS

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “There are many kinds of tacos, some piled high and overstuffed and some more minimal, meant to be more a snack than a meal. These little tacos are in the second category, similar to what you might find in a Mexican market for a quick bite. Savory black beans and roasted poblano chiles make a satisfying vegetarian version. Fresh soft corn tortillas, hot off the griddle, are essential.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

This was featured in “The Unstuffy Taco” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 pound black beans, rinsed and soaked 4 to 6 hours, or overnight if possible

1 small onion, halved

1 bay leaf

1 large sprig epazote (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

4 poblano chiles

Soft corn tortillas

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella or Oaxacan-style string cheese, shredded

1/2 pound queso fresco, available in Latino groceries

8 ounces crème fraîche or Mexican crema

Preparation

Drain beans, put in medium pot, add water to cover and bring to a boil over hight heat. Add onion, bay leaf, epazote and salt and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, longer if necessary, adding water occasionally if liquid falls below surface of beans. When beans are tender, taste and adjust salt. Keep beans warm in their broth.

Meanwhile, roast poblano chiles over a charcoal grill, under the broiler or directly on a gas stovetop burners until skins are completely blackened and blistered. Set chiles aside to cool, then split lengthwise. Scrape away skins and seeds with a paring knife. Cut cleaned chiles into 1/2-inch ribbons, transfer to small bowl and season lightly with salt.

To serve, warm the tortillas on a hot griddle or cast iron pan over a burner. Put 2 warm tortillas side by side on a small plate. With a slotted spoon, place 2 tablespoons beans on each tortilla. Top with a few shreds of mozzarella and 2 or 3 strips of poblano. Crumble a little queso fresco and drizzle about 1 teaspoon crème fraîche on each taco.

FALAFEL TACOS WITH SRIRACHA TAHINI SAUCE

I found this on a really cool vegetarian food blog called Oh My Veggies. It’s one that I really think you’ll enjoy!

This particular recipe is from Keepin’ It Kind, a blog by “animal lover, travel fanatic, and chickpea devotee” Kristy. This yummy recipe yields 6 tacos and can be viewed on Kristy’s site at http://keepinitkind.com/falafel-tacos-with-sriracha-tahini-sauce/.

Ingredients

for the falafel

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (or mixture of fresh parsley and cilantro)

1/4 red onion, chopped

2 – 3 cloves garlic

juice from 1/2 a lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

several dashes of black pepper

salt to taste (I used about 3/4 tsp)

3 tablespoon chickpea flour

1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional, but adds a little extra oomph)

for the tacos

6 taco shells

1 – 2 cups lettuce

tomato slices

other taco fillings

for the sriracha tahini sauce

1/4 cup tahini sauce

1/4 cup water

1 – 2 tablespoon Sriracha

juice from 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried dill

Instructions

for the sriracha tahini sauce

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or if using an immersion blender, a small bowl. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

for the tacos

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Combine all falafel ingredients (chickpeas through nutritional yeast) in a food processor and process until you have a mostly smooth ball of “dough.”

Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and use your hands to roll the scoop into a ball. Flatten it slightly and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until there is no more dough left. You should have about 18-20 falafel.

Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Remove from oven. Stuff a little lettuce in each taco shell, then stuff about 3 patties into each taco shell. Top with tomato slices and any other taco fillings you would like to use (cucumber, avocado, bell pepper, etc.). Drizzle the taco with the Sriracha Tahini Sauce (recipe below) and serve warm. Enjoy!

CRISPY BAKED TACOS WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA

This is from Dana, the co-founder (with her husband, John) of the Minimalist Baker. Talk about a great looking site! And the recipes look absolutely wonderful. Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway), I’ll be checking out this site again…and again. (Thanks for putting up the site, Dana and John!)

This recipe “comes together in just 30 minutes” (always a plus when you’re hungry!). Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; for a Total Time of 30 minutes. Serves 3 - 4.

To view this on the Minimalist Baker site, go to http://minimalistbaker.com/crispy-baked-tacos/.

Ingredients

Tortillas

6 - 8 white or yellow corn tortillas

Avocado or grape seed oil

Sea salt

Beans

2 cups Mexican Pinto Beans (or 1 1/2 15-ounce cans pinto beans) (Note: Click link for the Mexican Pinto Beans on the Minimalist Baker, which also follows this recipe)

1/4 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp ground chili powder

Pinch each sea salt + black pepper

Salsa*

1/4 cup diced pineapple

1/2 cup diced tomato

optional: 3 Tbsp diced jalapeño

3 Tbsp diced red onion

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 Tbsp lime juice, plus more to taste

Pinch each salt and pepper

Toppings, optional

Ripe sliced avocado

Hot sauce

Lime juice

Fresh chopped cilantro

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F ( ) and get out two baking sheets, as well as a few mini cupcake liners if you have them. As long as you have either cupcake liners or two baking sheets, you can make this method work!

Lightly brush tortillas on both sides with oil and sprinkle with salt. Then stack two baking sheets and lift one side. Tuck as many tortillas as will fit comfortably on the edge, then lower the top baking sheet and fold the tortilla over the top, so it forms a shell shape. In addition or alternatively, simply arrange tortillas on a baking sheet, fold over, and slide two mini cupcake liners inside the shell so it creates an opening. See photo for guidance!

Bake 10 - 20 minutes (will depend on brand and freshness) until light brown and crisp.

Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

While tortillas are baking, add pinto beans to a small pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat, then lower heat to low and simmer until serving. Taste and season - I suggest ground cumin, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Lastly, prepare pineapple salsa by adding all ingredients to a small bowl and tossing to coat. Taste and adjust flavors as needed, adding more salt for flavor balance, lime for acidity, or pineapple for sweetness. Set aside.

Once tacos are done baking and slightly cooled, filled generously with pinto beans, pineapple, and other toppings. I went with avocado, hot sauce, and cilantro.

The shells are best when fresh. I would only make as many as you want to enjoy immediately as they tend to lose their crispiness when stored.

Notes

*I also think this Blended Red Salsa would be delicious with these tacos!

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of 8 tacos without additional toppings (i.e. avocado).

Nutrition Information: Serving size: 1 taco (of 8) without additional toppings Calories: 130 Fat: 4.6 g Saturated fat: 0.7 g Carbohydrates: 20 g Sugar: 1.5 g Sodium: 203 g Fiber: 4.2 g Protein: 3.8 g

MEXICAN PINTO BEANS FROM SCRATCH (1 POT)

This is also from Dana of the Minimalist Baker. Prep Time: 6 hours 15 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes.

View this on the Minimalist Baker list at http://minimalistbaker.com/mexican-pinto-beans-scratch-1-pot/.

Ingredients

1 pound pinto beans*, soaked overnight in cool water (or for at least 6 hours)

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 white onion, diced

3 large cloves garlic, minced (1 1/2 Tbsp)

1 pinch each sea salt + black pepper, plus more to taste

1 quality vegetable bullion (or 1 cup vegetable broth)

1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced, plus 1 tsp adobo sauce, plus more to taste

1/2 cup diced tomatoes and green chilies (I used Muir Glen fire roasted tomatoes with green chilies)

1 Tbsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp chili powder*

optional: 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

Add pinto beans to a large pot and cover with cool water (at least a few inches above the beans as they will expand). Soak for at least 6 hours or overnight* uncovered at room temperature.

Once beans are soaked, drain and set aside.

Heat your large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil, diced onion and garlic, and season with a healthy pinch each sea salt and black pepper. Stir to coat and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until onion is soft and translucent.

Next add drained beans and bouillon cube and cover with water about 2 inches over the top, as the beans will expand while cooking. If using vegetable broth in place of a bouillon cube, add vegetable broth first, and then water so you don't add too much liquid.

Add chipotle pepper and diced tomatoes, stir and bring to a low boil. Then reduce heat to low or medium-low and simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until beans are tender.

Once the beans are tender and cooked through add remaining seasonings: adobo sauce, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and cinnamon (optional). Stir to coat and cook on low for 10 more minutes to let the flavors meld.

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt to taste, cumin for smokiness, chili for depth of flavor, cinnamon for warmth, or adobo sauce (and minced adobo peppers) for heat. You want them very well seasoned, so don't be shy!

Your beans are now ready to enjoy! These make a delicious addition to burrito bowls, burritos, tacos, nachos, taco salads, veggie burgers, and more. You could also add them to chili!

Store beans well covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Will keep in the freezer for 1 month (oftentimes longer).

Notes

*1 pound dried beans typically equals 2 cups dried or 4-5 cups cooked.

*The chili powder I used was from Whole Foods and contains a blend of chili peppers, cumin, garlic, oregano, coriander, cloves and allspice.

*6-8 hours is the optimal amount of time for soaking your beans. The longer you soak them, the more tender they will become, and the more likely they will split and separate during cooking. So if you can't get to them right away, simply drain, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

*Recipe method adapted from All Recipes and The Sprouted Kitchen Cookbook.

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 half-cup serving of 10 total servings. The recipe yields roughly 5 cups cooked beans.

*I recently discovered that Trader Joe's beans are BPA-free, which is great news if you forget to prep ahead of time. In a pinch, buying cans that are BPA-free is still a good option.

Nutrition Information: Serving size: 1/2 cup Calories: 189 Fat: 2.5 g Carbohydrates: 31.6 g Sugar: 2 g Sodium: 367 mg Fiber: 8.4 g Protein: 10.6 g

SEITAN TACOS

This is from FoodFanatic, and begins, “Seitan tacos made with citrus and herb are a fantastic vegetarian idea. These tacos are a fantastic addition to Taco Week!” Makes 4 servings; Serving Size: 2 tacos; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 ounces seitan strips, 1 package

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 jalapeños, deseeded and minced

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/4 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

2 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons sour cream

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 large tomato, diced

2 cups baby spinach, chopped

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

8 flour tortillas, corn tortillas, or corn taco shells

Directions

Drain the seitan strips and toss them with the garlic, jalapenos, cumin, chili powder, and onions in a small bowl. Set aside.

Combine the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, parsley, cilantro and honey in a blender and mix until combined. Whisk in the sour cream. Set aside.

In a medium skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the seitan mixture and cook until the seitan has browned and the onions are soft.

Assemble the tacos with the seitan mixture, tomatoes, spinach and cheese.

Spoon the citrus dressing over the tacos. Alternatively, because it is very liquid, you can also coat the cooked seitan mixture with the desired amount of dressing before taco assembly.

Notes

I used a thyme flavored honey which added to the herby flavor of the dressing.

Make sure the jalapeno is actually spicy. This dish is better with a little kick!

EDAMAME TACOS WITH PEANUT SAUCE

This yummy recipe comes from Alissa, whose blog, Connoisseurus Veg, looks really fantastic.

Alissa wrote, “These crunchy edamame tacos are filled with a blend of tender cilantro-lime seasoned soybeans, fresh greens and Thai peanut sauce,” adding, “Mexican-Thai-Japanese fusion at its finest.”

Serves 4; Prep Times: 5 min; Cook Time: 10 min; Total Time: 15.

To view this on Alissa’s blog, click here.

Ingredients

For Peanut Sauce

1/4 cup natural peanut butter

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tbsp. maple syrup or agave

1-2 tbsp. water

For the Edamame Tacos

1 tbsp. canola oil (or other neutral-flavored vegetable oil)

1 medium onion, diced

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cooked, shelled edamame

1 1/2 tbsp. lime juice

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 scallions, chopped

about 2 cups baby spinach, arugula or spring mix

8 taco shells, preferably homemade

Instructions

Make the Peanut Sauce

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl, adding as much water as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Make the Edamame Tacos

Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and edamame. Continue to sauté until edamame begin to brown in spots, about another 5 minutes.

Add lime juice and salt. Sauté another 30 seconds and remove from heat.

Add cilantro and scallions. Mix well.

Divide mixture among taco shells and top with greens and peanut sauce.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Taco Tuesday

It's Taco Tuesday! Here are six taco recipes to help you through the day, including Carrot-and-Black Bean Crispy Tacos and Falafel Tacos w/Sriracha Tahini Sauce. Enjoy!

CARROT-AND-BLACK BEAN CRISPY TACOS

This recipe comes from Country Living, and begins, “Dig into vegetarian tacos with tons of fresh flavor.” Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 small onion, chopped

1 poblano pepper, diced

1 tsp. chili powder

1 (15.5-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 tbsp. fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 lb. medium carrots, cut into 3" to 4" sticks

1 tsp. ground cumin

8 whole-grain taco shells, warmed

Sliced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, and chopped fresh cilantro and radishes, for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 4to 6 minutes. Add chili powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add black beans and 1/3 cup water. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 4 to 6 minutes. Mash beans with the back of the spoon until thick. Stir in lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, toss carrots with cumin and 1 1/2 tablespoons oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast, turning once, until just tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

Divide beans and carrots between taco shells. Top with avocado, queso fresco, cilantro, and radishes. Serve with lime wedges alongside.

PER SERVING: protein: 8 g; fat: 17 g; carbohydrate: 42 g; fiber: 10 g; sodium: 261 mg; cholesterol: 0 mg; calories: 334.

CRUNCHY BLACK BEAN TACOS

This comes from The Kitchn’s e-newsletter. If you haven’t signed up for The Kitchn’s e-newsletter yet, I highly recommend that, as well as its sibling site, Apartment Therapy.

This recipe serves 3 to 4, or makes 8 tacos; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes and can be found online by clicking here.

2 cups cooked black beans

1/2 cup minced red onion

2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

Pinch of salt

4 to 6 ounces (1 heaping cup) grated Pepper Jack cheese

2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

8 corn tortillas

Toppings

Avocado

Hot sauce

Salsa

Sour cream

In a medium bowl, add beans along with red onion, cilantro, cumin, and paprika. Add a pinch of salt and lightly mash all the ingredients together. Grate the cheese and have it ready as well.

In a large, nonstick or cast-iron skillet, add the 2 tablespoons oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add one corn tortilla at a time and let each get hot in the oil for a few seconds. Then add about 1/4 cup of the bean filling to one half of the tortilla. Top with a sprinkle of grated cheese. Try not to overfill the tacos, or you might have issues flipping them without losing filling.

Using a spatula, carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over to form a shell. Press down lightly on the tortilla so it holds its shape. If some cheese spills out, don’t worry — it will get crispy and delicious.

As the first taco cooks, move it to the side and begin a second one. Depending on the size of your pan, you can cook two or three tacos at once. A griddle will hold even more.

Cook each taco until they are nicely browned and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. When flipping the taco to cook on the other side, use a spatula and flip the taco toward the fold so the filling doesn’t fall out. If your pan is very dry between batches, add another drizzle of oil.

Place the cooked tacos in a warm oven while you finish the rest. If the tacos are very greasy, blot them with a paper towel before moving them to the oven.

Serve tacos with toppings like hot sauce, salsa, avocados, and sour cream.

Recipe Notes:

Corn tortillas are resilient to heat. Don’t worry about burning them; they are very sturdy. Just be sure to cook tortillas on each side long enough to get them really crispy.

GRILLED PORTABELLO TACOS WITH RED CHILE-YOGURT SAUCE

I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.

This is from MJ of MJ's Kitchen, and can be viewed online at http://mjskitchen.com/2014/08/portabello-tacos-red-chile-sauce/. Makes 6 tacos. Prep and Cook time: 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Mushrooms and Mushroom Marinade

2 large Portabello mushrooms, stems removed, cleaned, sliced into 1/2” slices

3 Tbsp. garlic infused oil (or 3 Tbsp. olive oil and 1/4 tsp. garlic powder)

1 tsp. red wine vinegar

1/4 tsp. smoked paprika

Dash or two of salt

Generous amount of pepper

Squash and Onion Mix

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 pound summer squash, sliced*

1/2 large onion, sliced thin

2 large garlic cloves, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

Red Chile–Yogurt Sauce

1/2 cup red chile sauce or favorite salsa*

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

Other Ingredients

6 corn tortillas

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/2 lime cut into 6 wedges

chopped cilantro (optional)

Directions:

Mushrooms

In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the mushroom marinade (oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, vinegar, salt and pepper).

Lay the mushroom slices on a large plate or sheet pan.

Brush both sides with coating.

Prepare grill for a medium heat. Once hot, place mushrooms slices on the grill. Grill for 4 minutes per side.*

Squash & Onion Mixture

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, squash, garlic, salt and pepper.

Sauté, stirring frequently until vegetables are soft, about 4 minutes

Red Chile Sauce

Whisk together the red chile sauce and the yogurt.

Refrigerate until ready to assemble tacos.

Corn Tortillas

Heat up a cast iron griddle. Place 2 corn tortillas on the griddle.

After about 30 seconds, flip the tortillas and heat for another 30 seconds or until both tortillas are soft and warm.

Transfer to a tortillas warmer or wrap in clean dish towel to keep warm.

Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

Assemble the tacos

Assemble tacos by placing 3 slices of mushroom down the middle of a tortilla, top with some of the squash/onion mixture.

Squeeze a wedge of lime over the vegetables.

Smother the vegetables with some of the red chile-yogurt sauce. Top with feta.

Wrap and enjoy!

*See Kitchen Notes

Kitchen Notes

The Squash – Our preference for this dish is yellow summer squash, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced. However, you can use any summer squash or a mix of summer squash. For the tacos you see in the pictures, I used baby zucchini, sliced lengthwise then halved and baby patty pan squash, sliced. This mixture was also quite tasty.

Red Chile Sauce – I have to admit that the red chile-yogurt sauce is what really makes this meal. If you have time, you could make a batch of red chile sauce using pods or for an easy and fast sauce, make it with red chile powder. If you don’t have the red chile pods nor the powder, then just use your favorite salsa. However, if the salsa is chunky, then I would recommend blending it a bit.

Grilling the Mushrooms – When you only have two mushrooms to grill, laying them directly on the grill is quite doable. However, if you are cooking for a larger group, it is easier to lay the sliced mushrooms on aluminum foil. When we made these tacos for nine people we used six mushrooms, which yielded A LOT of slices. To make his life easier, Bobby placed aluminum foil on the hot grill and punch holes in it, and then placed the slices on the foil. It took longer to grill the mushrooms (about 15 minutes), but he didn’t have to turn the slices and the result was just as good.

For the carnivore – Crumble some cooked Mexican chorizo on top.

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.

BLACK BEAN AND POBLANO TACOS

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “There are many kinds of tacos, some piled high and overstuffed and some more minimal, meant to be more a snack than a meal. These little tacos are in the second category, similar to what you might find in a Mexican market for a quick bite. Savory black beans and roasted poblano chiles make a satisfying vegetarian version. Fresh soft corn tortillas, hot off the griddle, are essential.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

This was featured in “The Unstuffy Taco” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 pound black beans, rinsed and soaked 4 to 6 hours, or overnight if possible

1 small onion, halved

1 bay leaf

1 large sprig epazote (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

4 poblano chiles

Soft corn tortillas

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella or Oaxacan-style string cheese, shredded

1/2 pound queso fresco, available in Latino groceries

8 ounces crème fraîche or Mexican crema

Preparation

Drain beans, put in medium pot, add water to cover and bring to a boil over hight heat. Add onion, bay leaf, epazote and salt and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, longer if necessary, adding water occasionally if liquid falls below surface of beans. When beans are tender, taste and adjust salt. Keep beans warm in their broth.

Meanwhile, roast poblano chiles over a charcoal grill, under the broiler or directly on a gas stovetop burners until skins are completely blackened and blistered. Set chiles aside to cool, then split lengthwise. Scrape away skins and seeds with a paring knife. Cut cleaned chiles into 1/2-inch ribbons, transfer to small bowl and season lightly with salt.

To serve, warm the tortillas on a hot griddle or cast iron pan over a burner. Put 2 warm tortillas side by side on a small plate. With a slotted spoon, place 2 tablespoons beans on each tortilla. Top with a few shreds of mozzarella and 2 or 3 strips of poblano. Crumble a little queso fresco and drizzle about 1 teaspoon crème fraîche on each taco.

FALAFEL TACOS WITH SRIRACHA TAHINI SAUCE

I found this on a really cool vegetarian food blog called Oh My Veggies. It’s one that I really think you’ll enjoy!

This particular recipe is from Keepin’ It Kind, a blog by “animal lover, travel fanatic, and chickpea devotee” Kristy. This yummy recipe yields 6 tacos and can be viewed on Kristy’s site at http://keepinitkind.com/falafel-tacos-with-sriracha-tahini-sauce/.

Ingredients

for the falafel

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (or mixture of fresh parsley and cilantro)

1/4 red onion, chopped

2 – 3 cloves garlic

juice from 1/2 a lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

several dashes of black pepper

salt to taste (I used about 3/4 tsp)

3 tablespoon chickpea flour

1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional, but adds a little extra oomph)

for the tacos

6 taco shells

1 – 2 cups lettuce

tomato slices

other taco fillings

for the sriracha tahini sauce

1/4 cup tahini sauce

1/4 cup water

1 – 2 tablespoon Sriracha

juice from 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried dill

Instructions

for the sriracha tahini sauce

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or if using an immersion blender, a small bowl. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

for the tacos

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Combine all falafel ingredients (chickpeas through nutritional yeast) in a food processor and process until you have a mostly smooth ball of “dough.”

Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and use your hands to roll the scoop into a ball. Flatten it slightly and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until there is no more dough left. You should have about 18-20 falafel.

Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Remove from oven. Stuff a little lettuce in each taco shell, then stuff about 3 patties into each taco shell. Top with tomato slices and any other taco fillings you would like to use (cucumber, avocado, bell pepper, etc.). Drizzle the taco with the Sriracha Tahini Sauce (recipe below) and serve warm. Enjoy!