Sweet Potato and Chickpea Taco

Sweet Potato and Chickpea Taco

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Cook time: 

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Serves: 6

This recipe is a fusion of Indian and Mexican flavors.
Ingredients
  • 3 medium to large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch dice
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons chipotle chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 15 oz. can of chickpeas, rinsed
  • 1 large poblano pepper, cut into ¼ inch dice
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
  • ⅛ teaspoon asafetida
  • 10 to 12 fresh curry leaves
  • 2 to 3 dry red chilies
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ cup grated fresh coconut
  • ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
  • ½ cup yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • Juice of half a lime
  • Salt to taste
  • 18 to 20 small tortillas
  • 1 cup crumbled Cotija or feta cheese
Directions
  1. Pre heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray. Transfer diced sweet potatoes to baking pan. Drizzle potatoes with canola oil. Season with salt, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin and 1 teaspoon of chipotle chili powder. Toss potatoes to coat with spices and make even layer of potatoes. Roast potatoes until edges are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
  2. While potatoes are roasting, heat coconut oil in a large wok or frying pan until shimmering. Add mustard seeds and let then sizzle. Add asafetida, curry leaves, dry red chilies and let curry leaves fry for 30 seconds. Add turmeric and chili powder. Add poblano pepper and sauté it for a minute. Add chickpeas, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, and coriander powder. Season with salt and stir everything to combine with spices. Let chickpeas cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Once sweet potatoes are roasted, combine them with chickpeas. Add coconut, cilantro and stir. Let potatoes and chickpeas cook for 2 to 3 minutes more.
  3. Combine yogurt, lime zest, lime juice, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, and ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder into a small mixing bowl. Whisk yogurt with spices to make it smooth. Season with salt.
  4. Heat tortilla on stove top or in a microwave. To serve taco, put about ¼ cup chickpeas and sweet potatoes on tortilla. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon chili-lime yogurt. Sprinkle with cheese. Other toppings can be added to taste.

 

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Quick Mexican Style Beans

Quick Black Beans

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Serves: 2

Ingredients
  • 1 15.5 oz. can black beans
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½ packet of Taco seasoning mix
  • 3 tablespoons prepared salsa or tomato sauce
Directions
  1. Drain and rinse beans from a can.
  2. Heat oil in a small pot on a medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let it sizzle. Add beans and stir. Add salsa or tomato sauce and seasoning mix. Stir, cover the pot and let it cook for 7 to 10 minutes on low heat.
  3. Can be served for filling for Taco, burrito or on the side for Mexican dishes.

Quick Refried Beans

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Serves: 2

Ingredients
  • 1 15.5 oz. can pinto beans or black beans
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½ packet of Taco seasoning mix
  • 3 tablespoons prepared salsa or tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese or Monterey jack cheese
Directions
  1. Drain and rinse beans from a can.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a small pot on a medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let it sizzle. Add beans and stir. Add salsa or tomato sauce and seasoning mix. Stir, cover the pot and let it cook for 7 to 10 minutes on low heat.
  3. Off heat, add cheese and mash the beans either with a potato masher or in a food processor leaving some texture.
  4. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small pot on a medium heat. Add beans, stir and let it cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Can be served for filling for Taco, burrito or on the side for Mexican dishes.

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Mexican Style Rice

Mexican Rice

Prep time: 

Cook time: 

Total time: 

Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 1 ½ cups or more of water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 packet of Sazon seasoning (with coriander and Annatto)
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • Pinch of dry oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Directions
  1. Heat oil in a medium pot. Add cumin seeds and let it sizzle. Add rice, seasoning, chili powder and sauté it until rice is coated with oil and spices, 1 minute.
  2. Add water and salt. Cover the pot and let the rice cook until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add more water if necessary.
  3. Can be served for filling for burrito or on the side for Mexican dishes.
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