Family Taco Bowl Recipe
We are in the right middle of winter - the air is dry, the snow is falling and let's face it, our vitamin D count is feeling a tad bit low. What do you do to lift your winter spirits? Throw an all-out Mexican theme night of course! With the cold months upon us of course we're screaming for some comfort food and deliciousness that reminds us of summer and the warm months to come; but how does that also fit into your January New Year resolutions and fitness goals? Look no further!
Not every comfort food recipe has to be unhealthy! It's 2021 - we have learned about helpful carb replacements, what you can do with cauliflower (gross) and we are all sick of eating the same salad for dinner to shed a few pounds of our holiday turkey and cookie diet. What if I told you that you could enjoy a wonderfully delicious and actually satisfying Mexican dish without the guilt and falling off your healthy eating path?
There are many components to this dish you can add, remove, substitute, the sky is the limit! Some nights we eat these tacos with tortillas (recipe below), some nights it's with rice and others with both, some without either. It doesn’t matter which way you eat it, add the right Mexican flavours and sides and this recipe is delicious and satisfying any way you like!
TORTILLA RECIPE
Makes 8 tortillas
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs oil
3/4 cup water
Instructions:
Mix all dry ingredients into a large bowl and whisk together. Make a divot in the middle, pour in the oil then the water and mix together until combined. Remove the dough from the bowl, place it onto a floured surface and knead until combined and smooth, adding flour or water if necessary to make a non-sticky and smooth dough. Let sit for 10 minutes, then divide into 8 equal pieces and roll them out until they are thin and round. Place a small drop of oil into a frying pan on medium/high heat and cook for about 30 seconds per side until they start to get lightly browned. Continue this process until all tortillas are complete and enjoy!
Chicken
1 kg(2.2 lbs) boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 med white onion
1 jalapeno(seeded if you want less heat)
1/4 cup cilantro
1 lime
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small can of chipotle peppers in adobo
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
Chop onions, jalapeno, chipotle peppers and cilantro and place in a large bowl. Add the chicken, spices, oil and the juice of one lime and mix until the chicken is evenly covered. Marinate for a couple hours or just while you prepare your tortillas. Pan fry in a covered frying pan on medium-high heat flipping when nicely browned on both sides, should take around 20mins total. Use a meat thermometer to ensure properly cooked.
Rice
Instructions:
Cook white rice in a rice cooker, adding three bay leaves. When done and ready to serve, fluff rice and add chopped cilantro and lime juice.
Toppings:
You can totally put whatever you prefer on your tacos, but this is what we love most on ours!
Chicken
Rice
Cilantro
Street corn
Jalapenos
Pico De Gallo
Lime Juice
Hot Sauce(I love Cholula!)
"Refried" Black Beans
1 can of Black beans
1/2 c Broth(can be chicken or vegetable depending on preference)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
5 drops liquid smoke
Instructions:
Drain and rinse the black beans and place in a small pot on medium heat. Add all ingredients and simmer for around 20 mins until beans are very soft. Taste the beans close to the end of the 20 mins, this is your time to add more spices to get the exact flavour you want. Once beans have softened transfer all the contents of the pot to a blender. Blend on medium until beans are a smooth consistency. Serve and enjoy!
Guacamole
2-3 avocados
Juice of 2 lemons
Grape tomatoes
Scallions
2 cloves of garlic
Cilantro to taste
Salt and pepper
Zest of 1 lime
There you have it, friends! Add or remove any of these items and you will absolutely have the best bowl - better yet, scoop it all up with some crunchy tortilla chips! We love taco bowls as a family because we all can add in what we like and delete what we don’t and it makes us all happy. Enjoy!
