Healthy Taco Tuesday Tacos: Black bean, Corn, & Avocado

Here in Southern California, Taco Tuesday is our mid-week eating holiday. We love Mexican food , and probably eat it multiple times a week, but Taco Tuesday gives us an excuse to indulge in one of Mexico’s greatest culinary accomplishments, the taco!Tacos come in all sizes and many different fillings, and usually either corn or flour tortillas. If you go to a traditional Mexican restaurant, the tacos will be delicious, but also overloaded with fats and calories. Fear not! I have found a recipe that will allow us taco lovers to indulge without feeling bad about ourselves. 

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 369 kcal
Author: Chelsea (https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/healthy-tacos/)

Ingredients

Overlapping Taco Ingredients
•Salt and pepper
•2 tablespoons olive oil, separated
•2-3 fresh limes (3 tablespoons fresh lime juice + 1 teaspoon lime zest, separated)
•Tortillas (corn, whole wheat, or flour), fresh avocado or guacamole, additional fresh lime and/or cilantro

Corn Topping
•2 cups frozen corn (OR use fresh corn on the cob if available)
•1/4 cup chopped cilantro
•3/4 cup thinly sliced radishes
•1 tablespoon jalapeno pepper, finely minced

Beans
•1 small (2/3rds cup) yellow onion, diced
•1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
•2 cans (14.5 ounces EACH) black beans, drained and rinsed
•1 cup mild salsa
•1/2 teaspoon chili powder
•1 and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Cilantro \”Pesto\”
•1 cup tightly packed cilantro leaves (no need to remove every stem, just cut most the stems off in one cut)
•1/2 of 1 small shallot, coarsely chopped (1-2 tablespoons) *
•1 teaspoon minced garlic
•1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
•1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions
Corn Topping

1.Alternative #1: use pre-roasted canned corn — drain and allow to dry.

Alternative #2: use frozen corn — place in a preheated large cast-iron skillet (cast iron chars better and won\’t ruin your pan) 3 to 5 minutes, stirring once or twice, until kernels are lightly charred. Avoid stirring too often as this will keep the corn from getting a good roast.

Alternative #3: Grill some fresh corn on the cob and cut it from the cob.

2. Combine COMPLETELY cooled corn with chopped cilantro, thinly sliced radishes, jalapeno pepper, a generous pinch of salt and pepper (add to taste; I add about 1/4 teaspoon each), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1 teaspoon lime zest. Stir, adjust seasoning to taste, and let stand to marinate while preparing the rest of the tacos.

Beans
1.In the same skillet used for the corn, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add in the chopped onion and saute for 3 minutes over medium high heat. Add in the garlic and stir for another 30 seconds. Add in the drained and rinsed black beans, salsa, chili powder and cumin. Simmer mixture for about 5 -10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slightly mash half of the beans if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cilantro \”Pesto\”
1.Add all the ingredients except the olive oil and pulse in a blender until combined. Once it is all combined, add olive oil and pulse a few times quickly until combined. (Over mixing olive oil can create a metallic taste, so it is important to add the olive oil in last.) Season to taste with salt and pepper (I use about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper).

Assemble
1.Char/grill/warm tortillas and add a generous amount of the black beans’ mixture followed by the corn topping, some fresh avocado (or guacamole), and a spoonful of the pesto. If desired, add cheese, additional chopped cilantro, and fresh lime juice. Enjoy as soon as assembled.

Eating healthy can take a lot of planning and sometimes put a dent in your wallet depending on where you buy your groceries. It can be very tempting to take shortcuts because you get frustrated or just want to eat a hamburger. The thing is, you can still eat delicious food and not spend a ton of money doing it! All you must do is plan the right way!

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