Fried Avocado and Roasted Sweet Potato Tacos
Tacos. They're quick, easy, and delicious if you do them right. What prompted me to create these tacos was the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, which I didn't realize for some time was actually a celebration of a victory that the Mexicans won in a battle over the French. For many, it's an opportunity to embrace Mexican food and the culture, and tacos are just one of those things everyone loves to come together for.
I decided to go simple with these and use a fruit and vegetable that I grew up constantly eating in Zimbabwe -- sweet potato and the avocado. I wanted to add texture and depth to the flavor for both, so I roasted the potatoes after tossing them in a combination of spices that I thought would enhance the natural flavor, including one of my favourite spice blends very common in Zimbabwean kitchens. As for the avocados, I coated them in panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. I also used rice seasoning, which many people I don't realize can add great flavour to most savoury dishes. I used Robinson's, which is a South Africa brand and tastes great. All the toppings I included in the recipe add to the overall taste and texture to compliment the tacos.
I hope you enjoy these and make them a staple in your home; I certainly have!
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon taco seasoning or your favorite spice blend (I used Royco Usavi mix)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 Hass avocado, a bit under ripe/not too soft
1 egg, beaten
Lime juice
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon spice for rice
1 teaspoon steak seasoning
3 taco flour tortillas
1/4 cup red cabbage, shredded
2 tablespoon corn
Cilantro
Limes
1 small thinly sliced radish
Feta cheese
Remoulade
Instructions
In a bowl, toss the cubed sweet potato with enough olive oil to coat with the first set of spices. Bake at 375F for about 25 minutes, turning/stirring once. Remove and set aside, don't overcook.
Slice avocado thickly, drizzle with lime juice.
Mix the breadcrumbs, parmesan, rice spice and steak seasoning. Drench the avocado in the egg, then the breadcrumb mix.
Coat the inside of an air fryer with cooking spray, and place each avocado piece separately. Spray with oil. Cool at 350 for 3 minutes on one side and 4 minutes after flipping. (You can also fry in a shallow pan of vegetable oil, then drain on paper towels).
In a non-stick pan, with some cooking spray, toast the tortillas until slightly crispy.
Assemble tacos with all your toppings and the feta and remoulade. Squeeze a bit of fresh lime over each taco. Enjoy!
Black Bean & Lentil Bobotie
Think of bobotie as a curried shepherd’s pie with a layer of egg custard instead of potato on top. This rendition of the traditionally South African dish, however, is vegetarian. The recipe usually uses ground beef seasoned with curry powder, chutney, and other fruits and spices. It is still a filling, protein-packed deal and is equally as delicious with the use of black beans, lentils, cheddar cheese, and spices familiar to Mexican cooking such as chili powder, cumin, and chipotle.
What you need 🛒🛒🛒:
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
3 large green onions/scallions, chopped
1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped
1 teaspoon garlic
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chipotle
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cilantro (dried or fresh)
1 teaspoon cumin
8oz dry lentils, soaked (half a 16oz packet)
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomato (15oz)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 1/2 cups broth
2 slices of bread
6 bay leaves (3 to garnish)
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
What you do 🍳🍳🍳:
Step 1
Heat the butter and oil. Add the onions, garlic, jalapeno, and chili flakes, sauté for 3 minutes. Add all the spices, cook for another 2 minutes.
Step 2
Soak the bread in some water, set aside.
Step 3
Add the lentils, sweat them out for about 5 minutes until fragrant and they begin to soften. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste, cook for another minute.
Step 4
Add the broth, black beans, and 3 bay leaves, simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step 5
Squeeze the water out of the bread then whisk it into the pot, remove the bay leaves.
Step 6
Pour the mix into an oven-proof pan, sprinkle the cheese on top.
Step 7
Beat the eggs, cream, and milk, season with some salt and pepper. Pour over the bean mix, top with some bay leaves and bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes. (Broil for an additional 5-10 minutes to further brown/cook the egg custard if necessary).
Serve hot with avocado and sour cream, enough for 4-5.
Breakfast Enchilladas
Need a quick, delicious breakfast packed with protein? This one is family friendly or for a two, guaranteed to keep you full until lunch. Mexican enchiladas are a great treat to wake up to with a side of chorizo sausage, tortilla chips and queso dip, fresh fruit, and churros! The simple tortillas with a steak, cheese and egg topped with an enchilada sauce are a people pleaser for any time of the day without the eggs.
For the dish pan, use one where you can tightly fit the enchiladas so that they hold together - a 2-quart casserole pan should work fine.
Breakfast Enchilladas
Ingredients:
- 5 flour tortillas (burrito size)
- 1/2 pound of shaved steak
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup beaten eggs (use 3 eggs)
- 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese
- 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 can mild enchilada sauce
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon cilantro
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup sweet corn
- Scallions and cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Turn the oven on to 350F. Place the steak in a bowl and mix in soy sauce, olive oil, chili, cayenne, salt, mustard, paprika, cilantro, garlic, and black pepper. Marinate covered in the fridge for at least 15 minutes, take the steak out 5 minutes before cooking.
- In a hot pan brown the steak with the butter, set aside.
- In a medium bowl, add the pepper jack cheese to steak.
- In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and whisk in the milk with a little salt and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat until the eggs scramble, but don't overcook.
- Add the egg and corn to the steak and cheese mixture, stir until well combined.
- In a line closer to one side of the tortilla, spoon about 2 tablespoons or a 1/5th of the mixture down the center each tortilla and roll the burrito. Pack the enchiladas seam side down in a baking pan.
- Pour the enchilada sauce on top with the sharp cheddar cheese. Bake for 15 minutes at 350F. Cool slightly and enjoy with avocado and sour cream!
Calories
504Fat (grams)
34.08Carbs (grams)
30.8Protein (grams)
24.1
