Taco Night!

Since deciding not to eat meat, eggs, or dairy, I've definitely been in transition mode. No, I'm not still dabbling in dairy products now and then - I'm finding ways to modify "regular" food so that it still fits within my new food guidelines.

This starts, as you might imagine, with reading literally every ingredient on everything you buy in the grocery store. The first time I went shopping with a vegan friendly lens, it took me almost three hours to go through my list. Thankfully, it has gotten easier since then!

But I digress...

I've read that this "transitional" phase happens to a lot of people. Basically, instead of making totally new foods, you just modify food you're comfortable with. This recipe for seitan tacos is just such a recipe.

In case you're not familiar with seitan (pronounced SAY-tahn) it is a great meat substitute that's made of wheat gluten. It's available in the grocery store but you can make it yourself. Making it yourself lets you control the flavor, since you season it exactly how you want it, and it's much less expensive! I'll show you how to make it in a future blog but for now, just check out the tacos!

You will need:

1 package of taco shells

Seitan, ground

(equivalent to one pound of ground meat)

1 package of taco seasoning 

(be sure it's vegan friendly)

Avocado, sliced

Tomatoes, diced

Lettuce 

(some people like it shredded, I don't - make it however you like)

Vegan shredded "cheese"

Vegan sour "cream" 

(yes, there is a substitute!)

...and whatever else you like to put in your tacos...

Start by sauteing your seitan in a little oil or Earth Balance (it's a non-hydrogenated buttery-tasting spread). Seitan comes precooked, so you're really only heating it up and adding spices. 

If you're using your own seitan, just fling it in the food processor until it's ground into crumbles.

Isn't it crazy how much this looks like ground meat?

Add your seasoning and stir until combined. Cook until it s completely heated through.

While that heats, make sure all of your other ingredients are prepared for your tacos.

Then assemble and enjoy!

A few notes:

This is the kind of thing that's super kid-friendly and also works as "guy food." Also, if you're doing the vegetarian thing and are hosting friends for dinner who are carnivores, make this for them and they won't notice the difference...especially if you make your own seitan because you can season it however you like. I love sneaking veggie meals in where no one expects them!