Taco Tuesday

I don't know about you, but I love tacos. So when it comes to Taco Tuesdays, I have no problems. Here are six taco recipes to help you through the day, including Buffalo Turkey Tacos and Easy Breakfast Burritos. Enjoy!

GRANDMA SALAZAR’S TORTILLAS

This also comes from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking email. Kim wrote, “This recipe for flour tortillas came to The Times in 2005 from Traci Des Jardins, a San Francisco chef whose heritage is Cajun on one side and Mexican on the other, via her maternal grandmother, Angela Salazar. You’ll see ‘bacon drippings’ in the ingredients. These make for really delicious tortillas.” Makes 12 8-inch tortillas.

This was featured in “THE CHEF: TRACI DES JARDINS; Tortillas Let a Cook Come Home Again” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons bacon drippings, lard or vegetable shortening

Preparation

In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add bacon drippings and mix by hand or with a pastry cutter until mixture is crumbly. Slowly mix in 1 cup cold water. Add just enough additional water (about 1/3 cup) to make a smooth, slightly sticky dough.

Divide dough into 12 balls of equal size. Place on a board or baking sheet and cover with a kitchen towel; allow to rest for at least 20 minutes or up to an hour.

On a lightly floured surface, roll tortillas into 8-inch rounds. Place between sheets of waxed paper. At this point dough may be covered and refrigerated until cooking time, or used immediately.

Heat a griddle over medium heat. Remove tortillas from waxed paper and cook one at a time until puffy and slightly brown, about 30 seconds a side. Wrap in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm until serving.

CHICKPEA TACOS

This comes from the March 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Turns out, tacos don’t have to be hot to be delicious. The chickpea-avocado mash used as a filling here is prepared and served at room temperature. (It makes a great sandwich spread as well.) Because the fat content of taco shells can vary, look for brands that contain approximately 6 grams or fewer per shell.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

8 corn taco shells

2 cups baby salad greens

1 cup prepared salsa (medium or hot)

1/2 cup nondairy sour cream

Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.

Set taco shells in napkin-lined basket. Place salad greens, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls, and set out alongside chickpea-avocado mash.

To serve, let each person build their own taco by filling each shell with 1/4 cup chickpea-avocado mash, some greens, salsa, and sour cream.

nutritional information Per Serving (2 tacos): Calories: 402; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 800 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

TASTY BLACK BEANS AND CORN TACOS

This also comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Filled with beans and vegetables, these healthful tacos will be a kid's favorite." Makes 12 tacos.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

Black Beans and Corn Filling

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

1 medium-sized zucchini, diced

1 cup frozen corn kernels

1/2 cup mild enchilada sauce

Tortillas

12 6- to 8-inch corn or flour tortillas

Toppings, Optional

Note: No toppings were listed, but I would suggest shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and/or sour cream. A diced avocado would be nice, too. Or if there's something else that you love to top your tacos with, go for it! Just one thing: Enjoy!

Instructions:

To make Black Beans and Corn Filling: Put all ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover, and cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until heated through.

To prepare Tortillas: Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle on stove over medium-high heat. Lay tortillas in single layer on skillet or griddle for about 10 seconds. Turn and warm other side. Remove from heat, and wrap in a napkin or dishcloth until ready to assemble tacos.

To assemble, set a tortilla on a plate, and spoon on some filling. Top as desired, roll up and eat.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 100; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 170 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 1 g

SNAPPY TACOS

This is another good taco recipe from Vegetarian Times. This one begins, "Just two of these tacos provide nearly all the soy protein of the daily FDA recommendation of 25 grams." Yield: Serves 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

4 tsp. vegetable oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

12-oz. pkg. soy crumbles, plain or taco-flavored

1/4 cup dark beer (see Note

1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. dried oregano

2 large jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped

1/2 cup salsa, drained

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

8 taco shells

Garnishes: See my note under Toppings for the Tasty Black Beans & Corn Tacos, above.

Note: If you - like me - don't have dark beer (or any beer, for that matter), I suggest simply increasing the low-sodium vegetable broth to 3/4 cup

Instructions:

In large nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup onion and 1/4 teaspoon garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat and mix in soy crumbles, beer and broth. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid has almost evaporated, about 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to plate and set aside. Wipe out skillet.

Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add remaining onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add chili powder, oregano and jalapeños, stirring until mixture is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add reserved crumbles, salsa and cilantro and stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes.

Spoon 1/4 cup filling into each taco shell. Top with some or all garnishes and serve hot.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 302; Protein: 22 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 633 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: g

BUFFALO TURKEY TACOS

Makes 8 servings

Source: Jennie-O

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1341.shtml

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O Lean Ground Turkey

1/3 cup hot pepper wing sauce

8 hard corn taco shells, heated as specified on package

1 cup shredded lettuce

2 tomatoes, diced

1 avocado, sliced

1/2 cup blue cheese dressing

Directions

Cook turkey as specified on package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Add hot pepper sauce. Stir to combine.

Fill tacos shells with lettuce, turkey mixture, tomatoes and avocado.

Drizzle with blue cheese dressing.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 260 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

EASY BREAKFAST BURRITOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "This Southwest breakfast is quick enough for busy weekends. Or, you can try our make-ahead tip to freeze and reheat for a winning grab-and-go breakfast all week long."

Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-breakfast-burritos.

Ingredients

6 eggs

2 tablespoons Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles (from 4.5-oz can)

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

6 fully cooked breakfast sausage links, cut into small pieces

1 bag (1 lb 4 oz) refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes

6 Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for burritos (from 11-oz package)

2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)

Preparation

In large bowl, beat 6 eggs, 2 tablespoons Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles and 1 to 2 tablespoons milk until well blended. In 10-inch skillet over medium heat, cook eggs, stirring occasionally, until scrambled. Stir in 6 fully cooked breakfast sausage links, cut into small pieces; heat until warm. Set aside.

Cook 1 bag (1 lb. 4 oz.) refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes as directed on bag; set aside.

To assemble burritos, spoon line of hash browns down center of each of 6 Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for burritos. Top with 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend and the scrambled eggs.

Roll up each tortilla tightly to secure filling. Serve immediately, or freeze as directed below.

To freeze, wrap each burrito in paper towel; wrap in foil. Freeze. To reheat, remove and discard foil. Microwave each frozen paper towel-wrapped burrito on High 2 minutes 30 seconds, turning burrito over halfway through heating.

Expert Tips

Change breakfast sausage out for cooked chorizo pork sausage for a delightful Southwest kick!

Wrapping the breakfast burrito in a paper towel before the foil helps to absorb the moisture from the burrito and prevent a soggy tortilla. It’s also perfect for microwaving on the go or at work when plates are not necessarily available.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Chicken Tacos with Chipotle and Middle School Tacos. Enjoy!

EASY CHICKEN TACOS

This is from Makinze Gore at Delish. Makinze wrote, "While tacos these days take many shapes and forms, we know that even these basic chicken tacos are not the most authentic. The taco history is long and rich and is originally a form of Mexican street food. These are a much more Americanized form of taco, meaning that it's a tortilla filled with spiced meats and yummy toppings. While the true definition and origin of a taco can be quite blurry, we know one thing for sure - tacos are our favorite food group. Try these quick and easy tacos for your next Taco Tuesday and don't forget the margarita!"

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a58716/easy-chicken-tacos-recipe/.

Ingredients

For the tacos

3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" strips

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tsp. chili powder

2 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. cayenne

8 corn tortillas, warmed

Toppings

Sour cream

Thinly sliced red onion

Diced tomatoes

Shredded Monterey Jack

Diced avocados

Fresh cilantro

Lime wedges

Directions

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to skillet. Cook until golden, 6 minutes. Add spices and stir until coated, 1 minute more. If needed, add a little more oil or water to help spices coat chicken.

Build tacos: In tortillas, layer chicken and desired toppings. Serve with lime wedges.

Enjoy!

AMERICAN BBQ TACOS

This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “For authentic Southern flavor, top these tacos with prepared coleslaw instead of shredded lettuce.” Yield: Serves 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

BBQ Sauce

1 1/2 Tbs. ketchup

1 Tbs. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. honey

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

Tacos

1 1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 cup sliced button mushrooms

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1 cup soy crumbles, such as Lightlife Gimme Lean

4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed

2 Tbs. chopped red onion

1/3 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup shredded Romaine lettuce

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 Tbs. pickle relish, optional

Instructions:

To make BBQ Sauce: Combine all ingredients in bowl.

To make Tacos: Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, and carrots, and cook 3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened, stirring halfway through. Add soy crumbles and 2 Tbs. BBQ Sauce. Cook 8 minutes, or until soy crumbles are browned.

Fill tortillas with soy crumble mixture. Top with red onion, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and relish, if desired. Serve with BBQ Sauce.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 178; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Sodium: 409 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 4 g

CHICKEN TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “For good tacos, you need fresh, hot tortillas and a zesty filling. Canned chipotle chiles will do the trick with their smoky heat; it's an easy way to get flavor fast. Look for small cans with “chipotle chiles in adobo” on the label. And Mexican groceries generally have better-quality tortillas than the ones you find in supermarkets; it's worth seeking those out and heating them gently over steam, or by toasting them in a dry cast-iron pan. You can also use this recipe with precooked chicken, which makes this already quite simple recipe as easy as falling out of bed.”

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour.

This was featured in “Chichen Tacos Let You Think Fast” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Tacos:

4 large bone-in chicken thighs, about 1 1/2 pounds

3 scallions, left whole

1 bay leaf

1 thyme branch

3 black peppercorns

1 allspice berry

2 cloves

Kosher salt

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

2 or 3 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped

3 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can

1/2 cup broth (use broth from simmered chicken)

8 fresh corn tortillas

For Garnish:

1 small white onion, finely chopped, soaked in ice water for 10 minutes and drained

Thinly sliced serrano chile

Thinly sliced radishes

Sliced avocado

Crumbled queso fresco or mild feta cheese

Crème fraîche or Mexican crema

Cilantro sprigs

Dried oregano

Lime wedges

Preparation

Put chicken thighs in a saucepan and cover with 3 cups water. Add scallions, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, allspice, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove chicken and cool. Shred chicken with your fingers, discarding chicken skin and bone. Strain broth and reserve. You should have about 2 cups shredded chicken.

Put olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion, season with salt and cook until softened and a bit browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute more. Add chopped chipotle chile and adobo sauce and stir to combine. Add shredded chicken, salt lightly and stir to coat. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes, until sauce has thickened somewhat. Keep warm.

Heat the tortillas over steam or by your favorite method, keeping them soft and pliable.

Build the tacos quickly: Put a spoonful of the saucy chicken in the center of each tortilla. Top with a teaspoon of chopped white onion, a few slivers of serrano chile, some radish and avocado slices, a teaspoon of queso fresco and a teaspoon of crème fraîche. Add a few cilantro springs and a small pinch of oregano. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

CHICKPEA TACOS

This comes from the March 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Turns out, tacos don’t have to be hot to be delicious. The chickpea-avocado mash used as a filling here is prepared and served at room temperature. (It makes a great sandwich spread as well.) Because the fat content of taco shells can vary, look for brands that contain approximately 6 grams or fewer per shell.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

8 corn taco shells

2 cups baby salad greens

1 cup prepared salsa (medium or hot)

1/2 cup nondairy sour cream

Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.

Set taco shells in napkin-lined basket. Place salad greens, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls, and set out alongside chickpea-avocado mash.

To serve, let each person build their own taco by filling each shell with 1/4 cup chickpea-avocado mash, some greens, salsa, and sour cream.

nutritional information Per Serving (2 tacos): Calories: 402; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 800 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

GRILLED TOFU TACOS WITH WALLA WALLA SWEET ONION SLAW (AND OPTIONAL CHICKEN)

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

This recipe begins, “Smoky seasoned tofu (and/or chicken), 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. If using chicken, add chicken to a zipper bag.

Make the marinade. Add all marinade ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined. Pour marinade over tofu and/or chicken. If using half tofu/half chicken, just evenly divide the marinade between the two. Place in refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours.

Heat grill to medium-high, about 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook tofu and/or chicken 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 and/or meat 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/meat 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 or chicken, and top with slaw. Serve.

*GLUTEN-FREE OPTION

Use corn tortillas (or other gluten-free tortillas)

MIDDLE-SCHOOL TACOS

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Here is a taste of a time when Mexican food was not as widely available in the United States as it is today, when parents and sports bars looked for food to serve children and those who eat like them, when the combination of crunch and fat and silk was divine. It still can be, if you avoid the taco kits of yore and make your own picadillo, then put it in hard-shell tacos and top how you like. For those who want to avoid prefabricated taco shells, make a form out of aluminum foil, fry fresh corn tortillas in shimmering neutral oil and then allow them to cool into shape on their aluminum saddle. Taco night. You can’t eat just two.”

Serves 6; Time: 30 minutes.

This was featured in “The Case for Hard-Shell Tacos” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola, peanut or grapeseed

1 medium-size yellow onion, peeled and diced

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

2 pounds ground beef

2 tablespoons chile powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 teaspoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or substitute hot or sweet paprika)

1 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes, or to taste

1 cup chicken broth or beef broth, low-sodium if store-bought

12-18 hard taco shells

Toppings: grated cheese, sliced jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, etc.

Preparation

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the oil. When it begins to shimmer, add the onion, and cook until softened and starting to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Add the garlic, and cook for a minute or so to soften, and then the ground beef. Cook until the beef is starting to brown, stirring and chopping with a spoon to break up the meat, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off excess fat, leaving only a tablespoon or two in the pan.

Heat oven to 325. Add the chile powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cornstarch, paprika and red-pepper flakes, and stir to combine. Add the broth, stir, bring to a simmer and cook uncovered until the sauce has thickened slightly, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

As sauce cooks, place taco shells on a sheet pan, and toast in oven until they are crisp and smell nutty. Serve a few tablespoons of meat in each taco, along with whatever toppings you like.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. (Not that I'm objecting!) Today's offerings include Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Sriracha Slaw and Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple Slaw. Enjoy!

EASY CHILI MOLE

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "This is a much easier, yet equally tasty, version of the typical long-cooking authentic Mexican main. This mole is made with beef, tomatoes and chili beans, ready in just 30 minutes."

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-chili-mole.

Ingredients

1 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1 package (1.25 oz) Tex-Mex chili seasoning mix

1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

1 can (15 oz) spicy chili beans, undrained

1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

8 soft corn tortillas (6 inch)

Directions

In 4-quart Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beef until thoroughly cooked; drain.

Stir in seasoning mix, both tomatoes and beans. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to blend flavors. Stir in chocolate just until melted. Serve with tortillas.

Expert Tips

Regular chili seasoning mix and 1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeño chile can be substituted for the Tex-Mex seasoning mix.

Serve with a crisp green salad and warm wedges of cornbread instead of the tortillas.

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.

PULLED PORK TACOS WITH PINEAPPLE SLAW

This is from Delish. The recipe begins, “You'll want to use the pineapple slaw on everything.”

Yields: 8; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 lb. pork shoulder

1 c. barbecue sauce

1/2 c. brown sugar

Juice of 3 limes, divided

2 tbsp. garlic powder

2 tbsp. chili powder

2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 head cabbage, shredded

1 whole pineapple, cut and diced

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 small red onion, sliced

2 green onions, sliced

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

8 corn tortillas

Directions

In a 6-quart slow-cooker, add pork. In a medium bowl, combine barbecue sauce, brown sugar, juice of 2 limes, garlic powder, chili powder, and cayenne, then mix together into a thick paste and spread all over pork.

Cook on high for 5 to 6 hours or on low 8 to 9 hours, until tender, then shred.

When ready to eat, make pineapple slaw: Combine cabbage, pineapple, remaining lime juice, olive oil, red onions, green onions, and red pepper flakes.

Top tortillas with shredded pork and pineapple slaw.

GRILLED SHRIMP TACOS WITH SRIRACHA SLAW

This is from Delish, and begins, “Smoky, grilled shrimp and spicy slaw are the keys to next-level tacos.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yields: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

3 tbsp. freshly chopped cilantro

Juice of 3 limes, divided

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/4 head red cabbage, shredded

1/4 c. mayonnaise

1 tbsp. sriracha

4 medium tortillas

Directions

In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, cilantro, and 1/3 of the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Add shrimp to a baking dish and pour over mixture. Toss until completely coated and let marinate 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make slaw: In a large bowl, toss cabbage with mayo, remaining lime juice and Sriracha. Season with salt.

Heat grill to high. Skewer shrimp and grill until charred, 3 minutes per side.

Grill tortillas until charred, 1 minute per side.

Serve shrimp in tortillas with slaw.

CHICKPEA TACOS

This comes from the March 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Turns out, tacos don’t have to be hot to be delicious. The chickpea-avocado mash used as a filling here is prepared and served at room temperature. (It makes a great sandwich spread as well.) Because the fat content of taco shells can vary, look for brands that contain approximately 6 grams or fewer per shell.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

8 corn taco shells

2 cups baby salad greens

1 cup prepared salsa (medium or hot)

1/2 cup nondairy sour cream

Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.

Set taco shells in napkin-lined basket. Place salad greens, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls, and set out alongside chickpea-avocado mash.

To serve, let each person build their own taco by filling each shell with 1/4 cup chickpea-avocado mash, some greens, salsa, and sour cream.

nutritional information Per Serving (2 tacos): Calories: 402; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 800 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

DELICIOUS VEGAN BATTERED 'FISH' TACOS

This comes from PETA. Makes 6 tacos.

To view this online, go to https://www.peta.org/recipes/fish-tacos/.

Ingredients

1 pkg. Gardein fishless filets

1 tsp. oil or lime juice

6 medium-sized corn tortillas

1/2 cup guacamole or 1 avocado, sliced

Diced onion (optional)

Chopped cilantro (optional)

Jalapeño slices (optional)

Lime juice (optional)

Instructions

Cook the fishless filets according to package directions.

Warm the oil in a pan over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan and cook, turning once, until softened.

Remove from the pan and spread with 1 tablespoonful of the guacamole.

Cut the cooked fishless filets into strips and place 3 strips on the tortilla. If desired, top with diced onion, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño slices and drizzle with lime juice.

Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

Serve with salsa, vegan sour cream, or vegan tartar sauce.

Taco Tuesday

If it's Tuesday (and it appears that it is), then it's time for another Taco Tuesday. Check out today's offerings, including Irish Tacos and Classic Beef Tacos. Enjoy!

EASY SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN AL PASTOR TACOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Get ready to add a new recipe to your list of slow-cooker favorites! This easy dinner uses tender chicken thighs and canned pineapple for a fun riff on al Pastor that the whole family will love."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes; Makes 10 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-slow-cooker-chicken-al-pastor-tacos.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion

1 medium red bell pepper, cut in thin strips

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Al Pastor Taco Seasoning Mix

20 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 can (8 oz) pineapple tidbits in juice, drained

1 1/4 cups shredded green cabbage

1 package (10 count) Old El Paso™ Stand ‘N Stuff™ Taco Shells, heated as directed on package

1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (4 oz)

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves

Lime wedges

Preparation

In large bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil, the salt, cumin and pepper. Add yellow onion and bell pepper; toss to coat. Spray oval 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread vegetable mixture in bottom of slow cooker.

In same bowl, mix remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil and the taco seasoning mix. Add chicken; turn to coat. Place chicken in single layer over vegetables.

Pour drained pineapple over chicken. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, until chicken is cooked through and easy to shred (at least 165°F).

Drain chicken and vegetables, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid; discard remaining cooking liquid. Shred chicken with two forks; return to slow cooker, and toss shredded chicken and vegetables in reserved cooking liquid to coat.

Divide cabbage among heated taco shells; top with chicken and vegetables, cheese, green onions and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Expert Tips

Boneless skinless chicken thighs are not only more flavorful than breasts—they also stay more tender with longer cooking.

Shredded iceberg lettuce makes a nice substitute for the shredded cabbage.

CLASSIC BEEF TACOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Stuffed with seasoned ground beef, diced tomato, lettuce, sour cream and cheese, you can’t go wrong with this classic taco—unless you forget to crack open a cold Corona™ Extra to go with it, that is."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes 10 servings

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

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (at least 80% lean)

2/3 cup water

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

1 package (4.7 oz) Old El Paso™ Stand ‘N Stuff™ taco shells (10 shells), heated as directed on package

1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (5 oz)

1 1/4 cups shredded lettuce

3/4 cup diced tomato

1 cup sour cream

Preparation

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in water and taco seasoning mix; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.

Divide beef among heated shells; top with cheese, lettuce, tomato and sour cream.

Expert Tips

Choose crunchy lettuce for this recipe, such as iceberg or romaine.

Want more toppings? Try sliced green onion, sliced jalapeño, or drizzle with your favorite hot sauce.

TACO SPAGHETTI BAKE

This is from Betty Crocker kitchens, and begins, "This easy, family friendly casserole, dotted with melty pockets of cheese, proves that tacos and spaghetti are a match made in heaven."

Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/taco-spaghetti-bake/d777fa4f-7a46-4106-a893-bbc49e9fa97c.

Ingredients

12 oz uncooked spaghetti

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

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

1/4 cup water

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (15 oz) Muir Glen™ organic tomato sauce

2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)

8 oz Kraft™ Velveeta™ pasteurized prepared cheese product, cut in 1/2-inch cubes

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook spaghetti to al dente as directed on package.

In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain. Stir in taco seasoning mix, water, chiles and cumin; stir until well blended. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese and the spaghetti; stir well to blend. Pour mixture into baking dish. Scatter cheese cubes throughout casserole, and push gently into pasta mixture. Top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Expert Tips

Garnish with sour cream, sliced jalapeño chiles and chopped fresh cilantro.

Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef in this recipe.

IRISH TACOS

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, "You can certainly eat corned beef with boiled cabbage and carrots, but it can be a great deal more exciting to pile the shredded meat — ruddy pink, salty, fatty and meltingly sweet — into warm flour tortillas, then top it with a bright, crunchy, slightly fiery cabbage slaw. The contrast between the soft and the crisp, the salt and the sweet, is fantastic — particularly if you adorn each taco with a few pickled jalapeños and, perhaps, an additional swipe of mayonnaise. It’s not fusion cooking, nor appropriation. It’s just the fact that everything tastes good on a warm tortilla."

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 30 minutes

This was featured in "What if You Could Make Great Corned Beef?", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018643-irish-tacos.

Ingredients

2 to 2 1/2 pounds corned beef (see recipe)

1 small head of green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced

3 carrots, peeled and sliced into julienne

1 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

1 1/2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce, or to taste

12 to 16 flour tortillas, warmed

Sliced fresh or pickled jalapeños

Preparation

Warm the corned beef in its cooking liquid, or wrap it in foil and set on a sheet pan in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes or so.

Make the coleslaw: Mix cabbage and carrots together in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt or sour cream, cider vinegar, salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce to taste.

Pour half the sauce over the cabbage and carrots and toss to coat thoroughly. Season to taste. Reserve remaining sauce.

When the corned beef is hot, remove from liquid or foil and use two forks to shred it. Serve with the warmed tortillas, sliced jalapeños, the slaw, remaining white sauce and some hot pepper sauce.

SPICY BEEF TACOS

This is from Weight Watchers (now called WW), and begins, "You get two tasty tacos in a serving. Add your own touch with fresh chopped cilantro, scallions or tomatoes."

Prep Time: 12 minutes; Cook Time: 13 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Serves: 4; Difficulty: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Cooking spray, 3 spray(s), divided

1/2 cup WW Reduced fat shredded Mexican style blend cheese

2 medium cloves garlic, minced

3/4 pound uncooked 93% lean ground beef

1 1/2 tsp Ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp Ground coriander

3/4 tsp Table salt, or to taste

1 1/2 cups Canned diced tomatoes, with jalapenos or green chilies

8 small Corn tortillas, lightly toasted just before serving if desired*

2 cups Lettuce, chopped, shredded

1/3 cup Fat free salsa

Directions

Coat a large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add beef; cook until browned, breaking up meat as it cooks, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add cumin, coriander, salt and diced tomatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is almost absorbed, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Place tortillas on a flat surface. Top each with about 1/4 cup beef, 1/4 cup lettuce, 1 tablespoon cheese and 2 teaspoons salsa. Fold tortillas in half and serve. Yields 2 tacos per serving.

Notes

*To toast tortillas, coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place tortillas on top and coat with cooking spray. Heat in a 300°F oven until slightly crisp but not too crisp that they break when folded.

CHICKPEA TACOS

This comes from the March 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Turns out, tacos don’t have to be hot to be delicious. The chickpea-avocado mash used as a filling here is prepared and served at room temperature. (It makes a great sandwich spread as well.) Because the fat content of taco shells can vary, look for brands that contain approximately 6 grams or fewer per shell.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

8 corn taco shells

2 cups baby salad greens

1 cup prepared salsa (medium or hot)

1/2 cup nondairy sour cream

Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.

Set taco shells in napkin-lined basket. Place salad greens, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls, and set out alongside chickpea-avocado mash.

To serve, let each person build their own taco by filling each shell with 1/4 cup chickpea-avocado mash, some greens, salsa, and sour cream.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Yum! Today's offerings include Middle School Tacos and Chicken Tacos. Enjoy!

MAPO TOFU TACOS

I first found this at Nosh On.It, along with several other vegetarian taco recipes (you can check out all nine here). This one is from Alice Choi and her wonderul blog, Hip Foodie Mom.

Alice wrote, “While in college, mapo tofu was one of the first dishes I learned to make. . . well, kind of. You have to remember, I was in college and needed to eat quickly so I could go back to playing or studying or whatever I was doing so I was hardly ever in the kitchen cooking. Ever.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; servings: 5 - 6.

To view this recipes online, as well as the rest of Alice’s description of this recipe, go to https://hipfoodiemom.com/2013/02/07/mapo-tofu-tacos/. And while you’re there, check out the rest of the site. I think you’ll be glad you did!

Note: You can double the ingredients for the mapo sauce in order to have a bowl of the sauce on the table if dipping is desired while eating.

Ingredients

For the baked tofu:

1-2 cups all purpose flour

2 eggs; slightly beaten

about 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

1 - 19 oz container of firm tofu; cubed not small cubes but slightly larger ones; should make about 30 tofu cubes

For the mapo sauce:

1 tablespoon soy bean paste

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1-2 tablespoons szechuan sauce start with 1 tablespoon

1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce

2 gloves garlic minced

1/2 cup water

Salt to taste; if needed

For the tacos:

corn or flour tortillas I actually preferred the flour tortillas for this even though they are photographed with the corn tortillas

shredded carrots

shredded cabbage

scallions; diced for garnish

sriracha sauce

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare a lined baking sheet with foil, a non-stick baking sheet or parchment paper.

Set-up the dredging area: Place the flour in a medium bowl and place the eggs in another bowl and whisk with a fork for about 20 seconds. Place the panko in a third bowl.

After you have cut your tofu, pat dry each one in paper towels to drain the excess water/liquid. Dip each tofu cube into the flour, then in the eggs and then lastly into the panko. You want each cube lightly breaded with panko. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip each tofu cube and bake for another 10 minutes.

While your tofu is in the oven, prepare the sauce. Heat a medium sized sauce pan over high heat. Add all of the sauce ingredients (start with 1 tablespoon of the szechuan sauce) and mix well for a couple minutes. Taste and add more szechuan sauce or water or salt if needed and bring to a slight boil. Turn the heat to medium-low and let simmer for an additional 4 - 5 minutes. Gently stir and blend well.

When the sauce and tofu is ready, prepare your tacos. Heat the tortillas slightly in a toaster oven and assemble: place your warm tortilla on a plate, place 3-4 tofu cubes on top, pour the mapo sauce over the crispy tofu cubes, add the shredded carrots, then the cabbage (you can drizzle some more mapo sauce over the cabbage if desired) and garnish with the diced scallions and drizzle on some sriracha sauce if needed. Serve immediately.

CHICKPEA TACOS

This comes from the March 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Turns out, tacos don’t have to be hot to be delicious. The chickpea-avocado mash used as a filling here is prepared and served at room temperature. (It makes a great sandwich spread as well.) Because the fat content of taco shells can vary, look for brands that contain approximately 6 grams or fewer per shell.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

8 corn taco shells

2 cups baby salad greens

1 cup prepared salsa (medium or hot)

1/2 cup nondairy sour cream

Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.

Set taco shells in napkin-lined basket. Place salad greens, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls, and set out alongside chickpea-avocado mash.

To serve, let each person build their own taco by filling each shell with 1/4 cup chickpea-avocado mash, some greens, salsa, and sour cream.

nutritional information Per Serving (2 tacos): Calories: 402; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 800 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

MIDDLE-SCHOOL TACOS

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Here is a taste of a time when Mexican food was not as widely available in the United States as it is today, when parents and sports bars looked for food to serve children and those who eat like them, when the combination of crunch and fat and silk was divine. It still can be, if you avoid the taco kits of yore and make your own picadillo, then put it in hard-shell tacos and top how you like. For those who want to avoid prefabricated taco shells, make a form out of aluminum foil, fry fresh corn tortillas in shimmering neutral oil and then allow them to cool into shape on their aluminum saddle. Taco night. You can’t eat just two.”

Serves 6; Time: 30 minutes.

This was featured in “The Case for Hard-Shell Tacos” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola, peanut or grapeseed

1 medium-size yellow onion, peeled and diced

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

2 pounds ground beef

2 tablespoons chile powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 teaspoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or substitute hot or sweet paprika)

1 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes, or to taste

1 cup chicken broth or beef broth, low-sodium if store-bought

12-18 hard taco shells

Toppings: grated cheese, sliced jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, etc.

Preparation

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the oil. When it begins to shimmer, add the onion, and cook until softened and starting to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Add the garlic, and cook for a minute or so to soften, and then the ground beef. Cook until the beef is starting to brown, stirring and chopping with a spoon to break up the meat, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off excess fat, leaving only a tablespoon or two in the pan.

Heat oven to 325. Add the chile powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cornstarch, paprika and red-pepper flakes, and stir to combine. Add the broth, stir, bring to a simmer and cook uncovered until the sauce has thickened slightly, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

As sauce cooks, place taco shells on a sheet pan, and toast in oven until they are crisp and smell nutty. Serve a few tablespoons of meat in each taco, along with whatever toppings you like.

CHICKEN TACOS

This is from Makinze Gore on Delish. She wrote, “These chicken tacos are loaded with all the best spices. They pair perfectly with watermelon margaritas.”

Yields: 4 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Tacos

3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" strips

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tsp. chili powder

2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. cayenne

8 corn tortillas, warmed

Toppings

Thinly sliced red onion

Diced tomatoes

Shredded Monterey Jack

Diced avocados

Fresh cilantro

Lime wedges

Directions

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to skillet. Cook until golden, 6 minutes. Add spices and stir until coated, 1 minute more.

Build tacos: In tortillas, layer chicken and desired toppings. Serve with lime wedges.

GROUND BEEF TACOS

This comes from Pillsbury, and begins, “This taco recipe is the classic Tex-Mex-style version of tacos that many Americans grow up with: seasoned ground beef stuffed in a crispy taco shell with additional fillings like lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and sour cream. Even better, these ground beef tacos can be on the table in just 25 minutes.”

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

12 Old El Paso™ crunchy taco shells

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz)

2 cups shredded lettuce

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

3/4 cup Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa

3/4 cup sour cream, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 250°F. In large skillet, brown ground beef and onion over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.

Stir in chili powder, salt, garlic powder and tomato sauce. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, place taco shells on ungreased cookie sheet. Heat at 250°F. for 5 minutes.

To assemble tacos, layer beef mixture, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes in each taco shell. Serve with salsa; top with sour cream.

Expert Tips

Chili powder is a vibrant mix of dried oregano, garlic, cumin, and mild to hot chiles. Commercial blends can vary in flavor, but they all add that south-of-the-border taste to the meat. Choose a chipotle chili powder for more heat and a smoky undertone to the flavor it adds.

These are very classic Mexican-American style tacos, the beauty of which is they’re completely customizable. Skip the ground beef and swap in ground chicken (which is terrific with taco seasoning), use Old El Paso™ soft flour tortillas warmed per package directions instead of the crunch taco shells, and bump up the toppings—set out bowls of chopped radish, sliced green onion, pickled jalapeños, and/or torn fresh cilantro leaves.

TACOS AL PASTOR

This is from Makinze Gore on Delish. Makinze wrote, “The process of making these tacos may seem a little daunting, but trust me when I say they are 100 percent worth it. And the pork for these tacos would normally be slowly cooked for hours so, actually, you're welcome. If you don't want to make your own achiote paste, you can always buy a premade paste to streamline the recipe. Serve it up with some queso and call it a fiesta.”

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Yields: 10 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For Achiote Paste

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 c. annatto seeds

1 tbsp. coriander seeds

1 tbsp. cumin seeds

2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. black peppercorns

1 tsp. mustard seeds

5 allspice berries

4 cloves garlic

1/3 c. orange juice

2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. kosher salt

For the Pork

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grill

3 dried guaillo chilis, seeds removed

3 dried chiles de arbol, seeds removed

1/3 c. pineapple juice

1/4 c. achiote paste

2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

3 cloves garlic

2 tbsp. packed brown sugar

2 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 lb. boneless pork shoulder, sliced 1/2" thick

For Serving

1 pineapple, cored and cut into rings

1 red onion, cut into rings

12 corn tortillas

Freshly chopped cilantro

Lime wedges

Directions

Make Achiote Paste

In a small skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add annatto seeds, coriander, cumin, oregano, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and allspice berries and toast until fragrant, 1 minute. In a food processor or blender, add toasted seeds, garlic, orange juice, vinegar, and salt. Blend until it turns into a mostly smooth paste, scraping down sides as needed.

Make Tacos

In a small skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add chilis and toast until slightly charred and fragrant, 1 minute. In a food processor or blender, add toasted chilis, pineapple juice, achiote paste, vinegar, garlic, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and pepper. Blend until fully combined.

Place pork in a large bowl and pour marinade over. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours and up to overnight.

Preheat grill to medium-high and brush with oil. Grill pork until slightly charred and cooked through, 6 minutes per side. Let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes then cut into 1" pieces.

Add pineapple and onions to grill and cook until slightly charred and onion is softened, 3 minutes per side. Break pineapple rings into large pieces.

Add tortillas to grill and cook until warmed, 1 minute per side.

On warmed tortillas, add pork, pineapple, onions, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday (because there can never be enough tacos!). Today's yummy offerings include Chicken Chili Tacos and Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Sriracha Slaw. Enjoy!

LIME CILANTRO PORTOBELLO TACOS

I first found this at Nosh On.It, along with several other vegetarian taco recipes (you can check out all nine here). This one is from Sarah Yates Mora, who has a cool blog called A House in the Hills, where she posted this recipe.

Sarah started off this recipe by writing, “I don’t want to come across all braggy braggerson, but i made those tortillas. with my BARE HANDS! ok, my bare hands and a tortilla press.” She continued on by writing that “making tortillas is mind blowingly simple. like, really really really simple. i had NO IDEA.” (I love her enthusiasm!)

Anywho, the link to this recipe on her blog is https://ahouseinthehills.com/2013/7/10/lime-cilantro-portobello-tacos/. I seriously suggest checking it out!

Ingredients

2 large portobello mushrooms

3/4 cup shredded purple cabbage

1 avocado

1 bunch cilantro

1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced and de-seeded (unless you want some extra kick in which case leave the seeds be!)

1/3 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

3/4 cup masa

grapeseed oil

Directions

Rinse and thoroughly clean two large portobello mushrooms.

Prepare mushroom marinade by combining olive oil, fresh squeezed lime juice, 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.

You’ll want to marinate the mushrooms for as long as possible, preferably 8 or more hours. I started mine in the early evening and made them for an early lunch the next day. To marinate, place mushrooms and marinade in a large plastic ziplock, give them a few shakes and refrigerate.

When mushrooms are marinated you’ll grill them (I used a grill pan) over medium heat until cooked through (a couple of minutes on each side)

To make tortillas:

Combine 3/4 cup masa with 1/2 cup of hot water and knead with hands. Add more water if needed, or add more masa if mixture seems too wet. You’re looking to achieve the consistency of brand new play-doh. You’ll know you’re spot on when you’re able to pull a full tortilla out of the press. I played around for a bit to get it just right, but it only took fussing with the mixture a little bit at a time to get there!

Lightly coat a cast iron pan in grapeseed oil and heat on medium low.

Cover the top and bottom of the tortilla press* with large ziplock bags or saran wrap. Roll a ball of masa dough about 1 1/2″ big in the palm of your hands in place in the center of the press.

Gently use the top press to flatten the tortilla, then peel away and add to the pan.

Cook for 30 seconds or so on each side.

Continue with the rest of the dough (this amount of masa makes roughly 7 tortillas) until all are dough is used. Keep cooked tortillas warm by wrapping in a damp tea towel and placing in a dutch oven over LOW heat.

* if you do not have a tortilla press, use your hand or a rolling pin to flatten tortillas!

To make tacos:

Assemble tacos by laying tortillas with slices of the grilled portobellos, slices of avocado, cilantro, cabbage and jalapeno. Squeeze with lime juice. Serve hot and enjoy!

CHICKPEA TACOS

This comes from the March 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Turns out, tacos don’t have to be hot to be delicious. The chickpea-avocado mash used as a filling here is prepared and served at room temperature. (It makes a great sandwich spread as well.) Because the fat content of taco shells can vary, look for brands that contain approximately 6 grams or fewer per shell.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

8 corn taco shells

2 cups baby salad greens

1 cup prepared salsa (medium or hot)

1/2 cup nondairy sour cream

Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.

Set taco shells in napkin-lined basket. Place salad greens, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls, and set out alongside chickpea-avocado mash.

To serve, let each person build their own taco by filling each shell with 1/4 cup chickpea-avocado mash, some greens, salsa, and sour cream.

nutritional information Per Serving (2 tacos): Calories: 402; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 800 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

CHICKEN CHILI TACOS

This is from The TODAY Show. Prep Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this online, go to http://www.today.com/recipes/chicken-chili-tacos-t28111.

Ingredients

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 1/2 cups prepared pico de gallo or salsa

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 1 1/2 limes)

2 teaspoons cumin seeds, lightly toasted

2 cloves garlic. minced

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

12 taco shells (crisp or soft/flour or corn)

Preparation

Place the chicken, pico de gallo or salsa, lime juice, cumin seeds and garlic in a slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. (You can also cook on high for 3 hours.)

Allow to cool a bit. Scoop the chicken out with a big slotted spoon and place it in a large serving bowl. Use two forks to pull the meat apart. The chicken will shred easily. Stir in some cooking juice from the pot and top with the cilantro.

Place the shredded chicken, your taco shells and desired fixings on the table and let everyone put together their perfect taco.

TACO SALAD WITH CUMIN DRESSING

Servings: 8

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/41.shtml

Ingredients

8 tortillas

1 teaspoon powdered mustard

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

1 teaspoon ground cumin

8 cups romaine lettuce

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

4 cups cooked turkey, chopped

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

6 large ripe tomatoes, chopped

4 teaspoons lemon juice

2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Directions

Toast the tortillas on a baking sheet in a 400F oven for about 10 minutes.

While hot, sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese.

Cool and break into bite-size pieces.

Chop the lettuce and arrange it in the bottom of a salad bowl.

Make the cumin dressing by combining the salt, vinegar, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, mustard, cumin, water and oil in a bowl or jar.

Heat the turkey in a skillet with the cumin seeds.

Sprinkle chunks of turkey over the lettuce.

Add the tomato pieces and cheese.

Pour on the cumin dressing and top with tortilla chips.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 205; Protein: 17 g; Fat: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Exchanges: 1 Fat; 1/2 Bread/Starch; 1/2 Vegetable; 2 Lean Meat

GRILLED SHRIMP TACOS WITH SRIRACHA SLAW

This is from Delsih, and begins, “Smoky, grilled shrimp and spicy slaw are the keys to next-level tacos.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yields: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

3 tbsp. freshly chopped cilantro

Juice of 3 limes, divided

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/4 head red cabbage, shredded

1/4 c. mayonnaise

1 tbsp. sriracha

4 medium tortillas

Directions

In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, cilantro, and 1/3 of the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Add shrimp to a baking dish and pour over mixture. Toss until completely coated and let marinate 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make slaw: In a large bowl, toss cabbage with mayo, remaining lime juice and Sriracha. Season with salt.

Heat grill to high. Skewer shrimp and grill until charred, 3 minutes per side.

Grill tortillas until charred, 1 minute per side.

Serve shrimp in tortillas with slaw.

TACOS AL PASTOR

This is from Makinze Gore on Delish. Makinze wrote, “The process of making these tacos may seem a little daunting, but trust me when I say they are 100 percent worth it. And the pork for these tacos would normally be slowly cooked for hours so, actually, you're welcome. If you don't want to make your own achiote paste, you can always buy a premade paste to streamline the recipe. Serve it up with some queso and call it a fiesta.”

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Yields: 10 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For Achiote Paste

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 c. annatto seeds

1 tbsp. coriander seeds

1 tbsp. cumin seeds

2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. black peppercorns

1 tsp. mustard seeds

5 allspice berries

4 cloves garlic

1/3 c. orange juice

2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. kosher salt

For the Pork

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grill

3 dried guaillo chilis, seeds removed

3 dried chiles de arbol, seeds removed

1/3 c. pineapple juice

1/4 c. achiote paste

2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

3 cloves garlic

2 tbsp. packed brown sugar

2 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 lb. boneless pork shoulder, sliced 1/2" thick

For Serving

1 pineapple, cored and cut into rings

1 red onion, cut into rings

12 corn tortillas

Freshly chopped cilantro

Lime wedges

Directions

Make Achiote Paste

In a small skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add annatto seeds, coriander, cumin, oregano, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and allspice berries and toast until fragrant, 1 minute. In a food processor or blender, add toasted seeds, garlic, orange juice, vinegar, and salt. Blend until it turns into a mostly smooth paste, scraping down sides as needed.

Make Tacos

In a small skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add chilis and toast until slightly charred and fragrant, 1 minute. In a food processor or blender, add toasted chilis, pineapple juice, achiote paste, vinegar, garlic, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and pepper. Blend until fully combined.

Place pork in a large bowl and pour marinade over. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours and up to overnight.

Preheat grill to medium-high and brush with oil. Grill pork until slightly charred and cooked through, 6 minutes per side. Let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes then cut into 1" pieces.

Add pineapple and onions to grill and cook until slightly charred and onion is softened, 3 minutes per side. Break pineapple rings into large pieces.

Add tortillas to grill and cook until warmed, 1 minute per side.

On warmed tortillas, add pork, pineapple, onions, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Chicken Tacos with Chipotle and Middle School Tacos. Enjoy!

AMERICAN BBQ TACOS

This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “For authentic Southern flavor, top these tacos with prepared coleslaw instead of shredded lettuce.” Yield: Serves 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

BBQ Sauce

1 1/2 Tbs. ketchup

1 Tbs. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. honey

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

Tacos

1 1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 cup sliced button mushrooms

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1 cup soy crumbles, such as Lightlife Gimme Lean

4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed

2 Tbs. chopped red onion

1/3 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup shredded Romaine lettuce

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 Tbs. pickle relish, optional

Instructions:

To make BBQ Sauce: Combine all ingredients in bowl.

To make Tacos: Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, and carrots, and cook 3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened, stirring halfway through. Add soy crumbles and 2 Tbs. BBQ Sauce. Cook 8 minutes, or until soy crumbles are browned.

Fill tortillas with soy crumble mixture. Top with red onion, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and relish, if desired. Serve with BBQ Sauce.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 178; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Sodium: 409 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 4 g

STEAK TACOS

This recipe begins, “Your slow cooker makes Mexican-style magic, turning flank steak fork-tender and infusing it with irresistible flavors for the best steak tacos you ever ate.”

http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/2664-steak-tacos

Ingredients

1 lb raw lean flank steak (I use semi-frozen steak)

1 packet Taco Seasoning Mix

1 medium onion

4 oz chopped green chilies

1/2 cup (or more) sliced bell pepper

6 Corn tortillas

Directions

Cut steaks in half; rub with taco seasoning. Place in a crock pot coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with onion, bell pepper and chilies. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat is tender. Remove steaks and cool slightly; shred meat with two forks. Return to crock pot; heat through. Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with cheese, tomato and sour cream. Fold ends and sides over filling.

Nutritional Facts: Servings 6; Yield 6 servings – 210 Calories; 9 g fat (48.1% calories from fat); 17 g Protein; 16 g Carbohydrate; 2 g Dietary Fiber; 39 mg Cholesterol; 186 mg Sodium.

CHICKEN TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “For good tacos, you need fresh, hot tortillas and a zesty filling. Canned chipotle chiles will do the trick with their smoky heat; it's an easy way to get flavor fast. Look for small cans with “chipotle chiles in adobo” on the label. And Mexican groceries generally have better-quality tortillas than the ones you find in supermarkets; it's worth seeking those out and heating them gently over steam, or by toasting them in a dry cast-iron pan. You can also use this recipe with precooked chicken, which makes this already quite simple recipe as easy as falling out of bed.”

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour.

This was featured in “Chicken Tacos Let You Think Fast” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Tacos:

4 large bone-in chicken thighs, about 1 1/2 pounds

3 scallions, left whole

1 bay leaf

1 thyme branch

3 black peppercorns

1 allspice berry

2 cloves

Kosher salt

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

2 or 3 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped

3 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can

1/2 cup broth (use broth from simmered chicken)

8 fresh corn tortillas

For Garnish:

1 small white onion, finely chopped, soaked in ice water for 10 minutes and drained

Thinly sliced serrano chile

Thinly sliced radishes

Sliced avocado

Crumbled queso fresco or mild feta cheese

Crème fraîche or Mexican crema

Cilantro sprigs

Dried oregano

Lime wedges

Preparation

Put chicken thighs in a saucepan and cover with 3 cups water. Add scallions, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, allspice, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove chicken and cool. Shred chicken with your fingers, discarding chicken skin and bone. Strain broth and reserve. You should have about 2 cups shredded chicken.

Put olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion, season with salt and cook until softened and a bit browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute more. Add chopped chipotle chile and adobo sauce and stir to combine. Add shredded chicken, salt lightly and stir to coat. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes, until sauce has thickened somewhat. Keep warm.

Heat the tortillas over steam or by your favorite method, keeping them soft and pliable.

Build the tacos quickly: Put a spoonful of the saucy chicken in the center of each tortilla. Top with a teaspoon of chopped white onion, a few slivers of serrano chile, some radish and avocado slices, a teaspoon of queso fresco and a teaspoon of crème fraîche. Add a few cilantro springs and a small pinch of oregano. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

CHICKPEA TACOS

This comes from the March 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Turns out, tacos don’t have to be hot to be delicious. The chickpea-avocado mash used as a filling here is prepared and served at room temperature. (It makes a great sandwich spread as well.) Because the fat content of taco shells can vary, look for brands that contain approximately 6 grams or fewer per shell.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

8 corn taco shells

2 cups baby salad greens

1 cup prepared salsa (medium or hot)

1/2 cup nondairy sour cream

Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.

Set taco shells in napkin-lined basket. Place salad greens, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls, and set out alongside chickpea-avocado mash.

To serve, let each person build their own taco by filling each shell with 1/4 cup chickpea-avocado mash, some greens, salsa, and sour cream.

nutritional information Per Serving (2 tacos): Calories: 402; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 800 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

GRILLED TOFU TACOS WITH WALLA WALLA SWEET ONION SLAW (AND OPTIONAL CHICKEN)

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

This recipe begins, “Smoky seasoned tofu (and/or chicken), 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. If using chicken, add chicken to a zipper bag.

Make the marinade. Add all marinade ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined. Pour marinade over tofu and/or chicken. If using half tofu/half chicken, just evenly divide the marinade between the two. Place in refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours.

Heat grill to medium-high, about 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook tofu and/or chicken 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 and/or meat 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/meat 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 or chicken, and top with slaw. Serve.

*GLUTEN-FREE OPTION

Use corn tortillas (or other gluten-free tortillas)

MIDDLE-SCHOOL TACOS

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Here is a taste of a time when Mexican food was not as widely available in the United States as it is today, when parents and sports bars looked for food to serve children and those who eat like them, when the combination of crunch and fat and silk was divine. It still can be, if you avoid the taco kits of yore and make your own picadillo, then put it in hard-shell tacos and top how you like. For those who want to avoid prefabricated taco shells, make a form out of aluminum foil, fry fresh corn tortillas in shimmering neutral oil and then allow them to cool into shape on their aluminum saddle. Taco night. You can’t eat just two.”

Serves 6; Time: 30 minutes.

This was featured in “The Case for Hard-Shell Tacos” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola, peanut or grapeseed

1 medium-size yellow onion, peeled and diced

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

2 pounds ground beef

2 tablespoons chile powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 teaspoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or substitute hot or sweet paprika)

1 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes, or to taste

1 cup chicken broth or beef broth, low-sodium if store-bought

12-18 hard taco shells

Toppings: grated cheese, sliced jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, etc.

Preparation

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the oil. When it begins to shimmer, add the onion, and cook until softened and starting to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Add the garlic, and cook for a minute or so to soften, and then the ground beef. Cook until the beef is starting to brown, stirring and chopping with a spoon to break up the meat, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off excess fat, leaving only a tablespoon or two in the pan.

Heat oven to 325. Add the chile powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cornstarch, paprika and red-pepper flakes, and stir to combine. Add the broth, stir, bring to a simmer and cook uncovered until the sauce has thickened slightly, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

As sauce cooks, place taco shells on a sheet pan, and toast in oven until they are crisp and smell nutty. Serve a few tablespoons of meat in each taco, along with whatever toppings you like.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Slow Cooker Smoky Pulled Pork Tacos and Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado Crema. Enjoy!

TACO PIZZAS

This is from Lena Abraham at Delish. The recipe begins, “Tacos and pizzas are meant to be together.”

Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 6 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 lb. ground beef

1 packet taco seasoning

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

6 tostada shells

1 c. salsa

2 c. Mexican blend cheese

1 c. cherry tomatoes, cut into rounds

1 c. Shredded lettuce

1/2 c. sour cream

Cilantro, for garnish

Directions

In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and taco seasoning, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain fat and set aside.

Build your “pizza”: spread a spoonful of salsa on your tostada shell, then top with cheese, meat, tomatoes, lettuce and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve.

CHICKPEA TACOS

This is from the March 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It starts off, “Turns out, tacos don’t have to be hot to be delicious. The chickpea-avocado mash used as a filling here is prepared and served at room temperature. (It makes a great sandwich spread as well.) Because the fat content of taco shells can vary, look for brands that contain approximately 6 grams or fewer per shell.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

8 corn taco shells

2 cups baby salad greens

1 cup prepared salsa (medium or hot)

1/2 cup nondairy sour cream

Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.

Set taco shells in napkin-lined basket. Place salad greens, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls, and set out alongside chickpea-avocado mash.

To serve, let each person build their own taco by filling each shell with 1/4 cup chickpea-avocado mash, some greens, salsa, and sour cream.

nutritional information Per Serving (2 tacos): Calories: 402; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 800 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

BUFFALO SOFT TACOS

4 Servings. Serving size: 1 taco

Source: Cooking Up Fun For Kids With Diabetes

View Recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/573.shtml

Ingredients

1/3 cup mild cayenne pepper sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot Sauce)

1 teaspoon corn oil

2 cups (about 10 ounces) diced cooked chicken breast

4 (8 inch) tortillas, warmed if desired

1/2 cup (2 ounces) finely shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup finely chopped lettuce

2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons light ranch dressing

Directions

Put cayenne pepper sauce and oil in a large zip-top bag. Add cooked chicken, seal bag, and shake to coat chicken well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow chicken to marinate.

Pour chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat 2 minutes or until hot (or pour chicken and marinade in a pan and warm on the stove over medium heat).

Lay 4 flour tortillas on the counter. Spoon 1/4 of chicken in the center of each one. Drizzle with the warm marinade if you want to. Top each with 1/4 of the cheese and 1/4 of the lettuce. Drizzle each with 1/4 of the dressing.

Fold each taco in half, or roll it up. Slice in half if you want to.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 351; Protein: 30 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 1220 mg; Cholesterol: 72 mg; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Dietary Fiber: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 4 Meat, lean

MEXICAN TACO SALAD

This recipe comes from FamilyTime. Serves: varies; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: Varies

To view this online, go to http://www.familytime.com/recipe/showrecipe.aspx?recipeid=13446.

Ingredients

1 pound beef or turkey, ground

1 cup onion, chopped

1 cup ORTEGA® Thick & Chunky Salsa

3/4 cup water

1 packet (1.25-oz.) ORTEGA® Taco Seasoning Mix

1 can (15-oz.) kidney or pinto beans

1 can (4-oz.) ORTEGA® Diced Green Chiles

6 tortilla shells, or 3 cups of tortilla chips

6 cups lettuce, shredded

3/4 cup nacho and taco blend cheese, shredded

Directions

Cook beef and onion until beef is browned; drain. Stir in salsa, water and seasoning mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to lwo; cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in beans and chiles.

Layer ingredients as follows in each shell: 1 cup lettuce, 3/4 cup meat mixture, 2 tablespoons cheese, guacamole and tomatoes for garnish. Serve with ORTEGA® Thick & Smooth Taco Sauce, if desired.

BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREMA

This is from Lindsay, whose blog, Pinch of Yum, is really good. Feel free to check it out!

This recipe begins, “This colorful, spicy, crispy, mega-yum recipe was inspired by the amazing buffalo ‘wings’ at J. Selby’s in Saint Paul and this recipe from Sarah Sullivan. Thanks to both sources of inspiration!”

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Yield: 8-10 tacos (probably 4-5 servings)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos:

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, salt, and pepper

1 head cauliflower (4-5 cups florets)

3/4 cup hot sauce (I used Frank’s brand)

shredded cabbage or slaw

chopped fresh cilantro

tortillas

Avocado Crema

2 avocados

1 clove garlic

1/4 cup sour cream (yogurt would work, too)

1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

squeeze of lemon or lime

Instsructions

Batter the cauliflower: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Whisk flour, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dip cauliflower pieces in the batter and let excess drip off. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake on an upper rack for 15-20 minutes until lightly crisped and browned.

Spice the cauliflower: Gently toss the baked cauliflower in a bowl with the hot sauce. Return to pan. Bake for another 5-10 minutes.

Avocado Crema: Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Slaw: Toss the slaw with some of the avocado crema until it’s nice and creamy.

Tacos: Fill each tortilla with slaw, cauliflower, a drizzle of avocado crema, and cilantro. Perfection!

Notes:

Gluten Free: use almond meal and GF corn tortillas.

Vegan: use non-dairy milk and skip the sour cream in the sauce.

Cauliflower Pro Tip: It helps if you have a greased wire rack to back the cauliflower on – this allows excess batter to drip down and promotes crispiness. 👍🏼 But it works fine without, too.

Notes about texture: The texture as written is pretty firm and crispy, but not deep-fried-level crispy. Not surprisingly, you’d have to deep fry to achieve that. Which you could totally do! Here’s a recipe with a deep fry batter that I’d recommend if you want to spend the time doing that (it’s delish). But to me, this is a really great middle-of-the-road alternative that is a) much easier, b) healthier, and c) still really tasty!

SLOW COOKER SMOKY PULLED PORK TACOS

This comes from Heidi, self-described “photo-taking, storytelling, magazine and e-cookbook designing food blogger” for FoodieCrush. If you’ve never heard of her or checked out her blog, I suggest checking it out ASAP. Seriously.

For this recipe, Heidi wrote, “Just four simple ingredients tossed in your crock pot make this easy pulled pork shoulder recipe taco-night ready when topped with a crunchy Mexican slaw, smoky roasted salsa and guacamole.”

Total Time: 15 hours; Cook Time: 15 hours; Serves: 3-4 pounds pulled pork.

To view this on FoodieCrush, go to https://www.foodiecrush.com/slow-cooker-pulled-pork-tacos/.

Ingredients

6-8 pound bone-in pork shoulder

1 pint jar Smoky Roasted Salsa or smoky-flavored store-bought salsa

6 whole cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

3-4 canned chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped

6-inch corn or flour tortillas

Mexican coleslaw

Guacamole

Cotija cheese

Cilantro leaves, chopped

Instructions

Place the pork shoulder in a 6½ to 8 quart slow cooker. In a medium size bowl, mIx the salsa with the smashed garlic cloves and the chipotles in adobo sauce. Pour the salsa mixture over the pork. Cover with the lid of the slow cooker and cook on low for 12-14 hour, or until the pork falls off of the bone. Chill the crock with the contents still in it until cold all the way through.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Scrape away the congealed fat around the pork shoulder and use a bit of the fat to grease a 9 X 13-inch baking dish. Discard the rest of the fat but reserve the cooking juices.

Transfer the meat to a large cutting board and scrape away any visible fat. Use your hands to shred the meat into same-size pieces. Transfer the meat to the baking dish and bake, uncovered for 20 minutes or until the pork is hot all the way through. At the 10 minute mark, check to see if the meat is getting too dry. If so, toss it with a fork to keep it from drying out too much.

While the pork bakes, strain the cooking juices through a fine mesh sieve into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer and cook until reduced to 1/4 its original volume.

When the pork is hot, pour the reduced pan juices over the pork and toss to coat.

Warm the tortillas, either in a damp towel in a warm oven at 200 degrees F, or lightly char the tortillas over the flame of a gas stove. Assemble the tacos with a 1/3-1/2 cup pulled pork, Mexican coleslaw, guacamole and sprinkle with cotija cheese. Garnish with cilantro and serve with more smoky salsa if desired.

Pulled Pork recipe from Not Your Mama's Canning Book, by Rebecca Lindamood.