Taco Tuesday

As strange as it might seem, I don't think I had too many tacos, if any, before moving to Florida in my late teens. My kids, on the other hand, had tacos all through their youth. Usually, they were in crisp taco shells with ground beef, shredded cheese, tomatoes, and, maybe, some lettuce, not much more.

While the ground beef/cheese/tomatoes/lettuce taco may still be what many people think of, there are so many ways to fix the humble taco. Here are six taco recipes, including Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Greek Yogurt Ranch and Banana Chocolate Tacos. Do those have your attention? Great! Enjoy!

HOMEMADE TORTILLAS

This, as well as the next two recipes (Cocoa Black Bean Avocado Cream Tacos and Banana Chocolate Tacos), are from the May 2016 issue of Runner’s World, and can be found here. This one begins, “Corn tortillas are rich in flavonoids, which help protect against certain cancers.”

Ingredients

2 cups masa harina (corn flour)

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups warm tap water

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine masa and salt. Slowly pour the water into the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is just moistened and forms small clumps. Add more water, if needed by the tablespoon, but don’t let dough become too moist. It should feel like play-dough.

Divide dough into 12 golf-ball size balls. Cover with a damp paper towel. Cut a quart-size ziptop plastic bag up both side seams. Place one ball of dough between the plastic sheets and press down firmly with a medium pot or a tortilla press to form a 4 -5” circle about 1/8” thick.

Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium and lightly brush with some oil. Cook the tortilla for 1 minute, or until darkened in some spots and the dough looks dry. Flip and cook for 30 seconds more. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and fold over to keep warm. Repeat with remaining tortillas, brushing the skillet with more oil as needed.

Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 69; Protein: 2 g; Carbs: 15 g; Fiber: 1 g; Total fat: 1 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 99 mg

COCOA BLACK BEAN AVOCADO CREAM TACOS

This one begins, “Cocoa adds richness to this hunger smashing fiber-rich bean filling. As a giant cousin of the banana, plantain contains twice as much vitamin C to keep your blood pressure from boiling over. The creamy avocado sauce adds a dose of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.”

Ingredients

2 tsp. canola or grapeseed oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

2 plum (Roma) tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 ripe plantain, lots of black spots on skin, peeled and diced

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 Tbsp. cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/3 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 1 large lime)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 avocado

8 small corn tortillas

1 jarred roasted red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Instructions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, plantain, black beans, cocoa powder, chili powder, cumin, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 tsp. salt and pepper; cook 3 minutes more. Stir in cilantro and 2 Tbsp. lime juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from heat.

Blend together sour cream, avocado, remaining 2 Tbsp. lime juice and a pinch of salt until smooth.

Top tortillas with beans, red pepper, avocado cream and pumpkin seeds. Serves 4.

Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 408; Protein: 11 g; Carbs: 59 g; Fiber: 12 g; Sugar: 12 g; Total fat: 16 g; Saturated fat: 5 g; Sodium: 320 mg

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.

BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER TACOS WITH GREEK YOGURT RANCH

This is from Hidden Valley. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 2 - 4

To view this online, go to https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/buffalo-cauliflower-tacos-with-greek-yogurt-ranch/.

Ingredients

1 cup Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-free Baking Flour (or sub white whole wheat flour)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1/2 tablespoon lemon pepper

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 head cauliflower

1/2 cup buffalo sauce

15 oz. can organic sweet kernel corn, rinsed and drained

8 gluten-free corn tortillas (or sub flour ones if you prefer)

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 cup mixed greens (or sub chopped red cabbage)

1/4 cup Hidden Valley® Greek Yogurt Ranch

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Combine the batter ingredients in a medium mixing bowl: flour, milk, water, lemon pepper and sea salt.

Break or cut the cauliflower into small 1 1/2 inch pieces.

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying with nonstick spray.

Dip each cauliflower piece into the batter, completely covering it and then shake off any excess batter before laying it on the foil. Repeat for all cauliflower pieces being sure to lay them in a single layer without having them touch each other.

Bake for 15 minutes, then flip them over and bake for another 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, over medium-high heat, cook your sweet kernel corn for approximately 10 minutes. Let it sit and stick to the bottom of the pan periodically so that it caramelizes and gets some of that charred look/flavor. Set aside.

Once the cauliflower is done baking (they should be lightly browned, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside), put the pieces in a bowl with the buffalo sauce and stir until completely covered.

Assemble your tacos immediately: corn tortillas, buffalo cauliflower, a spoonful of roasted corn, a pinch of diced cilantro and a drizzle of Hidden Valley® Greek Yogurt Ranch.

Note: For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN QUESADILLAS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "This Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla recipe serves up some ridiculous flavor for your shredded cooked chicken. Finely chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce bring tons of smoky, spicy goodness to this dish. Simmer the chicken and spices, then layer it all into your tortilla with buttery, easy to melt Old El Paso™ Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese. Bring the heat with your choice of salsa to make these quesadillas a new family favorite at the table."

Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Makes 3 servings

View this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/chipotle-chicken-quesadillas.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips

1/2 large onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup frozen corn

1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (2 oz)

1 tablespoon finely chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce (from 7-oz can)

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

6 (8-inch) Old El Paso™ flour tortillas

6 tablespoons Old El Paso™ Salsa

Preparation

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion and corn; cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes or until bell pepper and onion is softened. Remove from heat; stir in chicken, cheese, chipotle chile and cilantro.

Brush one side of each tortilla with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. With oiled side down, spread 2 tablespoons salsa onto each of 3 tortillas. Spread about 1 cup of chicken mixture on each tortilla over salsa. Top each with remaining tortillas, oiled side up.

Heat 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook 1 quesadilla at a time 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until tortilla is golden brown and cheese is melted. Cut each quesadilla in half.

Expert Tips

The rotisserie chicken sold at almost any grocery store is perfect for this recipe.

Chipotle chiles are smoked, dried jalapeños. They are often sold canned in a vinegary tomato sauce called “adobo.” They can be quite hot, so feel free to adjust the amount used to suite your taste. The one tablespoon of chiles in this recipe gives a medium-hot result.

TATER TACO CASSEROLE

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Everyone loves tater tots and everyone loves Mexican food so why not combine the two! This Tater Taco Casserole is a dish that the whole family will love."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/tater-taco-casserole.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, diced finely

1 clove garlic, minced

1 (4 oz) can Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles

1 (1 oz) package Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (12 oz) package frozen corn

3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

1 (28 oz) package frozen tater tots

1 (10 oz) can Old El Paso™ Red Enchilada Sauce

Toppings: olives, cilantro, sour cream, tomatoes

Directions

Preheat oven to 375° and spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. For extra crispy tater tots, bake tater tots for about 10 minutes while preparing the beef mixture - otherwise prepare as follows.

In a large skillet, brown the beef and the onion. Add the garlic towards the end of the browning process and cook for 1 minute. Drain.

Add the green chiles, taco seasoning mix, black beans, corn, and 2 cups of the cheese. Stir together to combine. If your skillet isn’t big enough you may need to stir it together in a bowl.

Pour mixture into the prepared 9x13 pan. Arrange tater tots on top of the mixture in a single layer.

Pour the enchilada sauce on top of the casserole as evenly as you can.

Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until tater tots are nice and crispy. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and place back in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Top with olives, cilantro, sour cream, tomatoes when serving if desired.