Taco Salad
Who doesn't love Tex-Mex? Overall, it is usually a good option for those looking to follow a low protein diet.
The onions, peppers, pico, guac, jalapenos, and dare I say tortilla chips dipped in salsa make for a few of my favorite things. A salt-rimmed margarita always complements the dish nicely. My mom makes a mean margarita, as pictured below.
However, the taco salad always looks so tempting when ordering off a menu. I am unable to tolerate the flour tortillas and can only rarely consume corn tortillas. Sometimes those are a fun treat, especially in my aunt's famous red enchilada dish (modified without chicken of course)... but that is a post all of its own.
I was feeling inspired to replicate the highly regarded taco salad from our favorite local cantina. I fried up one of Cambrooke's tortillas with oil, salt, and pepper in an effort to make my own taco salad. I had my favorite salsa and half an avocado on hand.
Side note... Every time I go to the store I buy a very green avocado and let it ripen until perfect. I find it only takes a day or two in a sunny spot on our butcher block rolling island. Avocado can be very filling and contains lots of good fatty acids. I think of them as the peanut butter for vegans- fatty, filling, and yummy.
Enough of my rant.
Key to the taco salad is frying in oil. Don't be stingy. Put enough oil to make a sizzling hot and crispy tortilla. Immediately after frying, fold over a bowl and put another bowl the same size over it to mold into place. By the time you prepare the filling for the taco bowl it will be formed into place.
Now you get to load up with all your favorite ingredients, toss with yummy dressing and enjoy.
Recently, I have been obsessed with Trader Joe's Chili Lime seasoning. I chopped up a pile of veggies and sautéed with a dash of oil and squirt of fresh lime juice to top.
For the high protein option, I simply throw a packet of this over one pound of turkey meat and it never fails! Awesome, fast weeknight dish. He doesn't even notice it is low sodium! hehe
