Taco Tuesday #3 - Taco salad, with fresh salsa, and lentils (or beans or whatever)

Hola, are you ready for taco Tuesday?  I hope that taco salad counts as tacos, because that is what we are having this week.  The salsa really makes this salad pop, credit to Thug Kitchen on that one, and the lentils (or beans or whatever) make it dinner worthy.  BTW if you haven't purchased the Thug Kitchen cookbook yet you probably should, just sayin'.

Looks good right?

Here is what we are making  -------------->











Alright here is what you need:

The Salad

-ummm salad stuff guys, use whatever you want.  Keep in mind that we are going to mix the salsa right into the salad so it can take the place of the tomatoes, onions, and dressing.

The Salsa/Dressing

**this recipe is from the Thug Kitchen Cookbook.  Midsummer Salsa**

1 lb tomatoes

1 jalapeno pepper

2-3 cloves of garlic

bunch of cilantro

juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon of orange juice

1/2 teaspoon of salt

Chop all of this stuff up and toss it in a bowl with the OJ, lime juice and salt. Mix it well then put it in the fridge and let it chill while you get everything else together.  If it sits for 20 minutes or so, it tastes even better.

So good!

The Lentils 

*If you don't like lentils use whatever bean or tofu that you like.  I'm just trying to introduce you to new foods homey. *

1 cup of lentils - any kind will do,  green ones used here
1 tablespoon ground coriander seed
1/2 onion
3 cloves of garlic
1/4 teaspoon of salt
2 and 1/2 cups of water


Cook down the garlic and onions first just until they soften a little, then add the coriander, water and lentils.  Bring them to a boil and then turn the heat down and let them simmer until the lentils are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

The Tortilla

1 whole wheat tortilla 

Pop a tortilla into one of these Perfect Tortilla Shell Makers (thanks dad) and then throw it in a 350 degree oven until it is nice and toasty.  If you don't have a Perfect Tortilla Shell Maker, I would like to express my condolences, you do not know what you are missing.  You can try a loaf pan or just toasting it up on a cookie sheet instead though. Or try some of these ideas http://www.theyummylife.com/tortilla_bowls.  A few baked multigrain tortilla chips work here too if you are lazy. 

The Perfect Tortilla Shell Maker

Ok, now grab your salad and mix in a generous helping of the salsa.  Use the juice from the salsa as salad dressing.



Scoop your lentils into the tortilla bowl (or just on top of your salad if you don't have a tortilla bowl) and garnish with some more salsa and avocado slices.  Nestle that right in the middle of your salad.

I can see your cholesterol dropping from here.  Happy taco Tuesday everyone!

Just throw it in your lunch bag.

Left over salad can be easily packed up for lunch the next day.

Getting some inspiration for up coming recipes :)

Avocado toast topped with leftover salsa makes a delicious breakfast.













Happy eating and best health,

Dr. G