Lentil & Veggie Tacos

Pin It Now!

I've been having a lot of fun roaming the net in search of yummy, high protein, meatless main dishes.  When you have a husband who refuses to eat soy, you really have to broaden your search.  
I was really happy to find this recipe (from Peas and Crayons blog).  The whole family enjoys tacos...and well, living here, they can be a real "treat."  For one, there aren't any real Mexican restaurants here in Yanbu (and Taco Hut at the mall...though good, just doesn't cut it).  Two, you can't always buy taco shells at the grocery store (isn't that awful??)  So, when we can make a taco...we do.
Very simple recipe with lots of room for adding your fave toppings.  Loved the idea of making my own seasoning so my family didn't end up devouring a bunch of MSG.  I can tell you honestly, we didn't miss the meat...not one bit.  (and there wasn't a single taco shell left)

The filling also would be great wrapped up in a corn or flour tortilla.  You could sub out the refried beans for black beans (I know some stores sell refried black beans)

Ingredients:

1 cup of dried lentils
16oz no fat refried beans
1 cup diced onion
4oz mushrooms, minced
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup of your favorite enchilada sauce (store bought or make your own) 
taco shells (or tortillas)
a splash of oil

For the seasoning:

1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4-1/2 tsp dried cilantro [I highly suggest trying this stuff on everything!]
1/4 tsp salt

Topping Ideas:

shredded lettuce or cabbage

diced avocado

feta, cheddar, pepper jack (pick a cheese!)  

diced tomatoes

greek yogurt

salsa

jalapeños

Directions:

Rinse and sort 1 cup of lentils.  

Heat 3 cups of water in a pot until it's just about to boil, add lentils, and reduce to simmer for 15-25 minutes or until tender (when done, drain and return back to the pot)  For whatever reason, mine took forever to cook...and still had a bit of a bite to them in the end (because I couldn't wait any longer...four hungry people to feed!!)  

While the lentils are simmering, get going on the rest of the meal.

Saute onions, mushrooms, and garlic with a bit of oil until tender.  

Next, add seasoning blend (the one you made) and enchilada sauce at the end and stir.  

Then, combine them with the lentils, along with the refried beans and heat on low, stirring gently to incorporate.  

Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.  Stuff into shells, pile on the toppings and enjoy a fabulously healthy NO MEAT dinner.  :)

Pan Grilled Fish and Shrimp Tacos

Pin It Now!

We've been living here in Saudi for 3 months (hubby for 6) and we still don't have a grill.  There has to be something seriously wrong about that.  I mean, for my 23rd birthday my dad gave me money to go an buy my own grill!  Surprisingly we seem to be getting on just fine without one.  We'll pick one up soon I suppose, but in the meantime I purchased one of those cute little pans with the raised bits to make cute little grill marks.
We went to the local fish market on Friday and bought some more prawns and grouper.  Cooked some up that day at a park BBQ, but left the rest at home.  If I was lucky enough to find tortillas at the store (around here you never know what you'll find at the store on a day to day basis), I knew I wanted to make fish and shrimp tacos.
So, I was one very happy lady when I found some salsa flavored tortillas.  As much as I would have preferred corn, I was just happy to get tortillas at all.
I just loved this recipe...but the best part was the Mango-Radish Salsa.  (click the link for the recipe) Oh my was that good.  I will be making these tacos again very soon!!  (wish I still had some left over!)

Ultimate Fish Tacos

Pin It Now!

Time to get some fish back on the menu.  Living in Cali I have finally learned to be open to fish tacos...and I've found I really like them.  This recipe got great reviews, so I'm going to give it a shot.  I'll cut back the spice a bit for the sake of the kiddos.  :)  There seem to be a lot of ingredients, but you can chose to make the mayo and salsa or leave it out.  I'm going to make both...why not, and I'll puree the salsa so the kids won't have to worry about chunks of whatever.