My mom shared this recipe with me and we LOVE it. I made it twice in one week, hence the modifications below. Most of the ingredients you may already have on hand or can use for many more meals that week. Zach and I like to keep corn tortillas on hand as they keep well in the fridge and make quick quesadillas, chips, tacos, and more.
ps. I have to admit this is slightly inspired by Jack in the Box's 99 cent tacos - although more more delicious, healthy, and fun. There is no Jack in the Box in North Carolina.
Black Bean Tacos with Feta and Cabbage Slaw
Makes 5 servings (as a side) Makes 2 servings with some left over as an entrée only.
Beans
1 can (15-ounce) black beans, drained
Alternatively:
Trader Joe’s (TJ) Refried beans with jalapeno (not spicy at all)
Or cook and refry your own beans from scratch (and eat rest throughout week or freeze)
1/2 teaspoon cumin (I use more)
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 white or yellow corn tortillas
With the can of TJs beans it made 8
Slaw
1 tablespoon lime juice (buy 2 limes, you’ll want lime wedges for the tacos)
5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
2 cups coleslaw mix (may want a bit more see bottom for idea for leftovers)
2 scallions, chopped (or more! - they always go to waste anyway.)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or more to taste, we like cilantro)
Ground black pepper, to taste
Hot sauce, to taste
Alternatively:
· The first time I added Tapatio Hot Sauce to the slaw and Green Tabasco to the taco, it
seemed a little tasteless.
· The next time I added more authentic salsa to the TJs beans, in addition to more cumin,
and added nothing to the slaw (except more lime and EVOO) – this was MUCH more
flavorful.
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (no need to measure)
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine the beans, cumin and salt. Use a fork to partially mash. Divide the mixture between the tortillas, spreading it evenly over 1 side of each. Set aside.
Alternatively: I cooked (warmed) the beans on the stove and added cumin and salsa.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the lime juice and 2 teaspoons of the olive oil. Add the coleslaw mix, scallions and cilantro, then toss well. Season with pepper and hot sauce. Set aside.
Alternatively: Be more liberal with the lime, EVOO, onions, and cilantro…and skip the hot sauce if you added salsa to the beans for a kick. You can always add hot sauce to the end product.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high, heat the remaining 3 teaspoons of olive oil. Add the tortillas in a single layer, bean side up, in batches if necessary, and cook for 1 minute.
Alternatively: I was low on EVOO, so I used corn oil, but I think I used a lot more than 3
teaspoons. I’m not recommending this, but it worked. 3 teaspoons just didn’t seem like
much, but healthier than what I did. Don't worry if you used the TJs refried beans and the oil gets messy, just go with it, it will taste good.
4. Fold the tacos in half, then cook for about another minute per side, or until golden brown. After they are all cooked…
5. Fill each taco with a quarter (whatever) of the coleslaw mixture and the feta cheese. If desired, drizzle with additional hot sauce (if desired).
6. Don't for get the lime wedges!!
(Recipe adapted from the February 2009 issue of Bon Appetit magazine)
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
Idea for the left over slaw.
I just discovered KRAFT Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing. If you take the leftover slaw that you didn’t use mixed with spinach, and a wheat or spinach tortilla from TJs you have a fun little wrap for lunch. I mix the dressing, spinach and slaw in a Tupperware, put the tortilla in a baggie and wrap it up at lunch. Easy peasy!
Fun little find.
I’m hard pressed for authentic spices and salsa over here at times. Though, I have managed to make my own at time. However, I did discover this bottled “authentic” salsa at my local Latino grocery store (Compare). http://www.mymexicanpantry.com/zaaschila-real-mexican-salsa--3-chilie3.html It was actually ironic. I remember needed a certain more “authentic” salsa for my fish tacos recipe (i.e. not bottled salsa). In California I always used the one from the Deli part of Safeway. So I asked everyone I could, including the manager at Compare. I think they thought I was crazy – who is this white girl? I even asked the butcher – he said I’ll make it for you (or his mom or wife would). I forget where I ended up buying salsa that day, but it wasn’t there. Anyhow, a few months later I’m back in the sauce aisle and low and behold, Zaaschila!, which looked similar to the “authentic” consistency I was once searching for in that store. I wondered if they thought – hey if this white girl wants this – who else might want it? I’ll never know, but I’m happy with the product!
Ps. I’m not promoting the website above; I just did a Google search to show you what it looks like.
