My first recipe post of 2017 and it really has to be a healthy one doesn't it? I don't know about you but it's actually been a relief to get back to real food following all the festive overindulgence. My body is literally crying out for fruit and vegetables. Today's recipe is a wee bit of a departure for me as it's Vegan. I'm guessing that I must have unconsciously made and eaten vegan food in the past but its definitely outwith my usual comfort zone - which is no bad thing. My friends at Iceland Foods challenged me to come up with a dish using the #PowerOfFrozen to celebrate Veganuary. If you've not come across Veganuary it's a campaign that aims to inspire and support people across the globe to go vegan for the month of January. Personally I'd really struggle to go vegan for a month but I think that we all realise that we need to be cutting down on our meat consumption and upping the veggies. Hat's off to you if you are doing the full 31 days.
To create my Mexican vegan taco filling I used a selection of frozen vegetables and herbs. These are an absolute staple of my freezer and encapsulate much of what is good about frozen food with particular emphasis on quality, convenience and less waste. I can't be the only one to buy fresh herbs for a recipe, use a couple of sprigs, then find the remainder of the packet languishing in a black and slimy mess a week or so later at the bottom of the salad drawer?! Frozen herbs reduce food waste, have quality and freshness locked in and are wonderfully convenient. Sames goes for the sweetcorn, diced onions and sliced peppers. You only use exactly the amount you want with no need to defrost before cooking.
I was delighted to regularly work with Iceland Foods in 2016, creating seven recipes across the year utilising #ThePowerOfFrozen. Iceland have been around for a while and I'm the first to admit that I had preconceived ideas about the types and quality of products they sold, but those myths have been well and truly busted. As well as seriously upping their game in general, they also cater for the increased variety in dietary demands with products suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Just checkout their frozen superfood range which includes quinoa, kale, asparagus and cous cous. You'll be surprised and inspired.
Vegan Refried Beans, Pepper & Corn Tacos with Avocado Cream
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 Tbsp Oil
150g Frozen Mixed Peppers
150g Frozen Sweetcorn
1 Tbsp Frozen Garlic
1 Tbsp Frozen Chili
1 Tbsp Frozen Parsley
435g Can of Refried Beans
2 Tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
Salt & Pepper
Avocado Cream
1 Avocado
1 Tsp Lemon Juice
Pinch of Smoked Paprika
Salt & Pepper
To Serve
8 Taco Shells
1 Large Carrot - spiralized or grated
Shredded Lettuce
Fresh Coriander, chopped
Smoked Paprika
Preheat your oven and heat the Taco shells according to the packet instructions.
Heat a the oil in a large frying/saute pan over a medium heat. Add the frozen onion, peppers and sweetcorn and saute 5 to 7 minutes or until soft.
Then add the garlic, chilli, parsley and cook for a further minute or until fragrant.
Stir in the refried beans and chopped tomatoes then season with the smoked paprika and a generous quantity of freshly ground salt and pepper.
Allow everything to warm through over a low heat whilst you prepare the tacos and toppings.
To make the Avocado Cream blitz together the avocado flesh, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt and pepper with a hand blender. Depending on the ripeness of your avocado you may need to add a splash of water to get a smooth creamy consistency.
Fill each warmed taco shell with some shredded lettuce before topping with the Refried Bean and Vegetable filling. Drizzle over the avocado cream, sprinkle with chopped coriander, smoked paprika and finally the spiralized carrot.
Isn't it just a riot of colour? We really should be eating the rainbow when it comes to fruit and vegetables. If you like it hot top it with with Sriracha and if you fancy it vegetarian as opposed to vegan you could add soured cream and grated cheese. We ate ours with a couple of the white rice steam bags. The Refried Beans, Pepper and Sweetcorn filling is so quick and easy to make and would work really well as a baked potato topping or in other Mexican classics such as Tortillas or Enchiladas. Thanks to the #PowerOfFrozen and a tin of Refried Beans, this vegan dish is going to become a family friendly weeknight staple.
Disclosure : This is a commissioned recipe for Iceland Foods. As always, all views expressed are my own.
Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to continue to share my Edible Scottish Adventures with you. I’m super choosy and promise to bring you only the cream of the crop.
For further Veganuary #PowerOfFrozen inspiration check out Bintu's Baked Quinoa Falafels with an Orange Tahini Dressing and Janie's Vegan Buddah Bowl with Spicy Peanut Dressing.
Linking up to CookBlogShare, Recipe of the Week, No Waste Food Challenge and Meat Free Mondays
Disclosure : This is a commissioned recipe for Iceland Foods. As always, all views expressed are my own.
Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to continue to share my Edible Scottish Adventures with you. I’m super choosy and promise to bring you only the cream of the crop.
