Vegan Taco Meat

Being that yesterday was "Taco Tuesday" and all, I figured I should share with you how I made mine last night!

I made Pico de Gallo, guacamole, and my own taco filling, or "meat".

I had planned to make tacos anyway, but look at these tomatoes:

Tomatoes are pretty much my favorite food.

For a small batch of Pico de Gallo:

• 4 medium-small tomatoes
• ½ medium onion (preferably red or a shallot)
• ⅔ oz. cilantro leaves*
• zest of half a lime
• juice of one lime
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• salt & pepper, to taste

*if you can't find bunched cilantro, this is typically the size you would find boxed.

Chop tomatoes, onion, and cilantro leaves. Toss in a bowl with lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, salt & pepper. Allow to marinate at least 10 minutes.

For the Guacamole:

• 3 ripe avocados
• ¼ cup Pico de Gallo
• juice of one lime

Split the avocados, remove pits and scoop out the insides. Mash in a bowl with a fork or potato masher, add the Pico, lime juice, and optionally some salt & pepper, then mix together and allow to marinate for 10 minutes as well.

Now, for the star of the show! The taco meat!

I've fiddled with a number of taco meat recipes, involving lentils, nuts, mushrooms, pintos, roasted chickpeas, and even mock meats and TVP. I prefer to use whole foods rather than mock meats primarily because they are processed foods. Seitan I prefer to use on its own, or as sausages especially because I haven't found it anywhere and where I have it's expensive so I make it myself. That being said, tacos would turn into an afternoon rather than a half hour or so of simple, easy cooking when we have plans for the evening or just want to go outside and play!

Vegan Taco Meat

• 1 cup dry lentils (any variety, I used green)
• 10 "Baby Bella" mushroom caps (medium sized)
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• ¼ cup BBQ sauce
• 2 small bay leaves
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• pinch red pepper flakes
• salt & pepper, to taste
• olive oil, or more broth, for the pan
• *optional: taco seasoning of choice

To prepare the lentils, rinse well and place in a pot with bay leaves, red pepper flakes, and vegetable broth. Cover loosely, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, lower to medium-low, and allow to simmer about a half hour, until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat, and cover with a lid and allow to sit for another half hour or so (I usually do this an hour or two before I need them so they are cooked, but not mushy). Remove bay leaves.

Chop the mushrooms into a small dice, and add to a warmed (preferably cast iron)skillet with the oil/broth on medium heat. Allow to saute until tender. Add the cooked lentils, chili powder, salt & pepper, and saute about five more minutes, until things are fragrant. Add BBQ sauce, and turn heat off. Stir until evenly coated and everything is hot, serve!