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taco tuesdayz: spicy mushroom tacos + green onion chimichurri

southern california is my home. and there are few foods we hold more dear in socal than tacos. taco tuesday is pretty much a weekly ritual where i’m from. when you drive by any mexican joint on a tuesday, it is jumping.

and like any good socal girl, i’m always game for tacos.

now, traditionally, they are filled with meat. but there are SOOOO many things you can put in a tortilla to make a delicious taco. and these mixed mushroom tacos are pleasing to vegetarians and meat eaters alike. in fact, my husband who says he needs a protein with every meal wolfed down five of these before i sat down and had a bite.

they were so good, they left me wanting more. so good in fact, i made them twice in three days because i just hadn’t had my fill.

spicy mushroom tacos + green onion chimichurri

serves: 8 tacos

prep time: 20 minutes

active time: 20 minutes

total time: 40 minutes

ingredients: 8 corn tortillas. 1 large portobello mushroom, chopped into 1 inch pieces. 4 ounces crimini mushrooms, chopped into 1 inch pieces. 2 oz shitake mushrooms, chopped into 1 inch pieces. 1 bell pepper (color of your choice), sliced into long, thin pieces. 1 red onion, halved and sliced into .5 inch thick. 1 serrano pepper, thinly sliced. 3 garlic cloves, minced. 3 green onions, white and green parts, chopped fine. 1 small shallot, chopped fine. 1 tbs finely chopped cilantro. 1 tbs finely chopped parsley. .5 cup olive oil. 2 limes, sliced into wedges. 2 tbs apple cider vinegar. 1 tbs kosher salt. 1 tsp freshly ground pepper. .5 tsp red pepper flakes. large heavy pan. smaller pan for heating tortillas.

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start by combining all the mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and the serrano in a large bowl.

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drizzle the veggies with half the olive oil and season with half the salt and pepper. toss well till everything is well combined. heat your pan over medium high heat and let it get nice and hot. while the pan is heating,

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combine the green onions, the cilantro, parsley, garlic, shallots, the rest of the salt and pepper, the red pepper flakes, the juice of 1 and a half limes and the vinegar in a small bowl.

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stir in the remaining olive oil and set the chimichurri aside.

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when the pan is very hot, add in the veggies. cook them, stirring every couple minutes until they are browned, softened and all the liquid has cooked out. about 10-12 minutes. while your veggies are cooking, in a smaller pan, heat your tortillas. about 30 seconds a side till they are nice and warmed and place them in a bowl covered by a towel or in aluminum foil.

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once your veggies are cooked and tortillas are warmed, start assembling your tacos.

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fill them with a good helping of veggies. top them with a spoonful or two of your chimichurri.

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squeeze a bit of lime juice on top and enjoy.

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spicy mushroom tacos + green onion chimichurri

serves: 8 tacos

prep time: 20 minutes

active time: 20 minutes

total time: 40 minutes

ingredients: 8 corn tortillas. 1 large portobello mushroom, chopped into 1 inch pieces. 4 ounces crimini mushrooms, chopped into 1 inch pieces. 2 oz shitake mushrooms, chopped into 1 inch pieces. 1 bell pepper (color of your choice), sliced into long, thin pieces. 1 red onion, halved and sliced into .5 inch thick. 1 serrano pepper, thinly sliced. 3 garlic cloves, minced. 3 green onions, white and green parts, chopped fine. 1 small shallot, chopped fine. 1 tbs finely chopped cilantro. 1 tbs finely chopped parsley. .5 cup olive oil. 2 limes, sliced into wedges. 2 tbs apple cider vinegar. 1 tbs kosher salt. 1 tsp freshly ground pepper. .5 tsp red pepper flakes. large heavy pan. smaller pan for heating tortillas.

start by combining all the mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and the serrano in a large bowl. drizzle the veggies with half the olive oil and season with half the salt and pepper. toss well till everything is well combined. heat your pan over medium high heat and let it get nice and hot. while the pan is heating, combine the green onions, the cilantro, parsley, garlic, shallots, the rest of the salt and pepper, the red pepper flakes, the juice of 1 and a half limes and the vinegar in a small bowl. stir in the remaining olive oil and set the chimichurri aside. when the pan is very hot, add in the veggies. cook them, stirring every couple minutes until they are browned, softened and all the liquid has cooked out. about 10-12 minutes. while your veggies are cooking, in a smaller pan, heat your tortillas. about 30 seconds a side till they are nice and warmed and place them in a bowl covered by a towel or in aluminum foil. once your veggies are cooked and tortillas are warmed, start assembling your tacos. fill them with a good helping of veggies. top them with a spoonful or two of your chimichurri. squeeze a bit of lime juice on top and enjoy.

spiced quinoa cakes

after a solid week of gorging myself on everything from stuffing to pie, my body is screaming for something a little on the healthy side.  there is just no way i can hang on like this from now till the new year.

quinoa is one of those great for you foods that will fill you up and make you feel good. it is a gluten free, whole grain that contains antioxidants, fiber and loads of other important nutrients to help you get back on track after a holiday.

spiced up and packed with other tasty ingredients, these quinoa cakes will help you feel better and please your taste buds at the same time.

spiced quinoa cakes

serves: 12 cakes

prep time: 30 minutes

inactive time: 20 minutes

active time: 10 minutes

total time: 1 hour

ingredients: 4 tbs coconut oil. 8 oz cooked quinoa, cooled (cooked to your package instructions). 2 eggs. .5 cup grated parmesan. .5 cup shredded carrot. .25 cup chopped bell pepper. .25 cup chopped green onions. .25 cup finely chopped pistachios. 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped. 3 large sage leaves, finely chopped. .5 cup greek yogurt. 2 tbs honey. 2 tbs lemon juice. 1 tbs kosher salt. 1 tsp freshly ground pepper. .5 tsp turmeric. .5 tsp paprika. .25 tsp ginger. .25 tsp cumin. baking sheet. parchment paper. .25 cup measuring cup. heavy pan.

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start by combining the salt & pepper with the turmeric, paprika ginger and cumin. in a small bowl,

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combine half the greek yogurt, 1 tsp of the spice blend, 1 tsp of the chopped garlic, the honey and the lemon juice together.

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whisk together until well combine. top with a pinch or two of green onions and set aside.

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in a large bowl, combine the quinoa, the rest of the greek yogurt, the parmesan, pistachios, eggs, bell pepper, carrots, green onions, garlic and the rest of the spice blend.

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mix well until everything is combined.

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lay your parchment paper on the baking sheet. using your measuring cup, scoop quinoa cakes onto your parchment paper.

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once you have scooped all your cakes, set them in the freezer to harden for 20 minutes. 5 minutes before you are ready to fry your cakes, heat the coconut in a heavy bottom pan. when the oil is very hot, place the cakes in the oil and fry till browned on both sides.

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about 4 minutes a side. make sure not to crowed the pan. cook in two batches if necessary. when fried, set the cakes on a paper towel to remove any excess oil.

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serve your cakes hot drizzled with your yogurt sauce.

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xo, a

spiced quinoa cakes

serves: 12 cakes

prep time: 30 minutes

inactive time: 20 minutes

active time: 10 minutes

total time: 1 hour

ingredients: 4 tbs coconut oil. 8 oz cooked quinoa, cooled (cooked to your package instructions). 2 eggs. .5 cup grated parmesan. .5 cup shredded carrot. .25 cup chopped bell pepper. .25 cup chopped green onions. .25 cup finely chopped pistachios. 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped. 3 large sage leaves, finely chopped. .5 cup greek yogurt. 2 tbs honey. 2 tbs lemon juice. 1 tbs kosher salt. 1 tsp freshly ground pepper. .5 tsp turmeric. .5 tsp paprika. .25 tsp ginger. .25 tsp cumin. baking sheet. parchment paper. .25 cup measuring cup. heavy pan.

start by combining the salt & pepper with the turmeric, paprika ginger and cumin. in a small bowl, combine half the greek yogurt, 1 tsp of the spice blend, 1 tsp of the chopped garlic, the honey and the lemon juice together. whisk together until well combine. top with a pinch or two of green onions and set aside.

in a large bowl, combine the quinoa, the rest of the greek yogurt, the parmesan, pistachios, eggs, bell pepper, carrots, green onions, garlic and the rest of the spice blend. mix well until everything is combined. lay your parchment paper on the baking sheet. using your measuring cup, scoop quinoa cakes onto your parchment paper. once you have scooped all your cakes, set them in the freezer to harden for 20 minutes. 5 minutes before you are ready to fry your cakes, heat the coconut in a heavy bottom pan. when the oil is very hot, place the cakes in the oil and fry till browned on both sides. about 4 minutes a side. make sure not to crowed the pan. cook in two batches if necessary. when fried, set the cakes on a paper towel to remove any excess oil. serve your cakes hot drizzled with your yogurt sauce.