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Chipotle Lentil & Walnut Taco Filling

February 16, 2016 by Epicurean Vegan

Chipotle Lentil and Walnut Taco Filling -- Epicurean Vegan

It’s obvious we like our tacos around here. Unfortunately, we’ve lost our taste for most varieties of meatless crumbles; they just don’t taste great and for some reason, our tummies tend to not agree with them later on. That’s where lentils and walnuts come in! Together, they make the perfect combination of soft and crunchy and are way better for you than any meat-filled taco. I added two chipotle-flavored Field Roast sausages and some onion, and it all came out perfect. This recipe is definitely for a crowd of taco-loving friends and family, so feel free to halve the recipe. It also makes some leftover lentils–which I love to snack on with a little salt and pepper. Right now, we have a 17-year-old family member staying with us for a while and he’s been eating vegan for the last three weeks and has loved all of our meals; these tacos have been one of his favorites so far. Teenager tested; meat-eater approved!

INGREDIENTS:
2 C walnuts
2 C green lentils (red will get too mushy)
4-5 C vegetable broth
4 Tbs water
3 tbs olive oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 large onion, diced
2 Field Roast sausages, Chipotle-flavored
The rest
15-20 taco shells
Optional fixings: Guacamole or avocado slices, vegan sour cream, diced tomatoes, salsa, vegan cheddar shreds, sliced green onion, chopped cilantro, chopped lettuce

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Toast the walnuts for 10 minutes; set aside. Start the lentils by combining them with the broth and bringing to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 30-40 minutes. Test them periodically. You don’t want them too mushy, but not too crunchy (I know, vague, but you’ll know what I mean when you taste them.) You might need to add some more broth if it’s getting absorbed but the lentils aren’t done.

While the lentils are cooking, heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet with the garlic. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened. Toss the Field Roast sausages in the food processor and pulse a few times until they’re chunky–not too pureed. Add them to the skillet and saute with the onions.
Chipotle Lentil and Walnut Taco Filling -- Epicurean Vegan

Once the lentils are ready, drain any excess liquid and transfer 2 cups of them to the cleaned out food processor bowl. Add the walnuts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the 4 tablespoons of water. Pulse a few times to get a chunky consistency.
Chipotle Lentil and Walnut Taco Filling -- Epicurean VeganAdd them to the onion-Field Roast mixture and combine well. Heat thoroughly, adding a little water or broth if the mixture seems to dry.
Chipotle Lentil and Walnut Taco Filling -- Epicurean VeganFill the taco shells with some of the mixture and top with your favorite taco toppers. Enjoy!

Chipotle Lentil & Walnut Taco Filling
 
Print
It's obvious we like our tacos around here. Unfortunately, we've lost our taste for most varieties of meatless crumbles; they just don't taste great and for some reason, our tummies tend to not agree with them later on. That's where lentils and walnuts come in! Together, they make the perfect combination of soft and crunchy and are way better for you than any meat-filled taco. I added two chipotle-flavored Field Roast sausages and some onion, and it all came out perfect. This recipe is definitely for a crowd of taco-loving friends and family, so feel free to halve the recipe. It also makes some leftover lentils--which I love to snack on with a little salt and pepper. Right now, we have a 17-year-old family member staying with us for a while and he's been eating vegan for the last three weeks and has loved all of our meals; these tacos have been one of his favorites so far. Teenager tested; meat-eater approved!
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Ingredients
  • 2 C walnuts
  • 2 C green lentils (red will get too mushy)
  • 4-5 C vegetable broth
  • 4 Tbs water
  • 3 tbs olive oil, divided
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ large onion, diced
  • 2 Field Roast sausages, Chipotle-flavored
  • The rest
  • 15-20 taco shells
  • Optional fixings: Guacamole or avocado slices, vegan sour cream, diced tomatoes, salsa, vegan cheddar shreds, sliced green onion, chopped cilantro, chopped lettuce
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Toast the walnuts for 10 minutes; set aside.
  2. Start the lentils by combining them with the broth and bringing to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 30-40 minutes. Test them periodically. You don't want them too mushy, but not too crunchy (I know, vague, but you'll know what I mean when you taste them.) You might need to add some more broth if it's getting absorbed but the lentils aren't done.
  3. While the lentils are cooking, heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet with the garlic. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened.
  4. Toss the Field Roast sausages in the food processor and pulse a few times until they're chunky--not too pureed. Add them to the skillet and saute with the onions.
  5. Once the lentils are ready, drain any excess liquid and transfer 2 cups of them to the cleaned out food processor bowl. Add the walnuts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the 4 tablespoons of water. Pulse a few times to get a chunky consistency.
  6. Add them to the onion-Field Roast mixture and combine well. Heat thoroughly, adding a little water or broth if the mixture seems to dry.
  7. Fill the taco shells with some of the mixture and top with your favorite taco toppers. Enjoy!
3.5.3208

 

Filed Under: Dinners Tagged With: Chipotle, easy, Field Roast, healthy, lentil walnut tacos, lentils, Mexican, vegan tacos, walnuts

Bean & Hash Brown Tacos

February 6, 2016 by Epicurean Vegan

Bean and Hash Brown Tacos -- Epicurean Vegan

We love tacos around here and the fact that they’re so versatile makes them the perfect option for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You could very well make these makes these for breakfast, but how about for dinner? Yes, please. Tasty and simple to throw together.

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbs olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced
4 C shredded potato (about 5 small russet potatoes)
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 pkg. taco seasoning
1/2 C lime juice
1/4 C water
10-12 corn and/or flour tortillas, warmed
Toppings:
avocado slices
vegan sour cream
vegan shreds (I love Daiya’s Farmhouse Block cheddar and jalapeno flavors)
lettuce, chopped
salsa

DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the potato and red onion. Saute for about 20 minutes, stirring often to keep from burning.
Bean and Hash Brown Tacos -- Epicurean VeganIn a small cup, combine the lime juice, water, and taco seasoning. Stir into the potato mixture along with the black beans. Heat through for 3-4 minutes.
Bean and Hash Brown Tacos -- Epicurean VeganFill the tortillas with the hash brown mixture and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Bean & Hash Brown Tacos -- Epicurean Vegan

Bean & Hash Brown Tacos
 
Print
Prep time
15 mins
Cook time
25 mins
Total time
40 mins
 
We love tacos around here and the fact that they're so versatile makes them the perfect option for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You could very well make these makes these for breakfast, but how about for dinner? Yes, please. Tasty and simple to throw together.
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Serves: 10-12
Ingredients
  • 2 Tbs olive oil
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 4 C shredded potato (about 5 small russet potatoes)
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • ½ pkg. taco seasoning
  • ½ C lime juice
  • ¼ C water
  • 10-12 corn and/or flour tortillas, warmed
  • Toppings:
  • avocado slices
  • vegan sour cream
  • vegan shreds (I love Daiya's Farmhouse Block cheddar and jalapeno flavors)
  • lettuce, chopped
  • salsa
Directions
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the potato and red onion. Saute for about 20 minutes, stirring often to keep from burning.
  2. In a small cup, combine the lime juice, water, and taco seasoning. Stir into the potato mixture along with the black beans. Heat through for 3-4 minutes.
  3. Fill the tortillas with the hash brown mixture and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
3.5.3208

 

Filed Under: Breakfasts, Dinners, Lunches Tagged With: black beans, fast and easy, hash browns, Mexican, tortillas, vegan tacos

Sweet Potato, Black Bean & Kale Tacos

July 9, 2015 by Epicurean Vegan

Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Kale Tacos -- Epicurean VeganI’ve seen versions of this dish all over, but I wanted to keep this simple. I knew I also wanted a kick of flavor with an easy, creamy sauce. The combo of sweet potatoes, beans, and kale, is a grand slam win; a trifecta of flavors. Of course, then you add the cilantro-lime cashew sauce and it’s icing on the cake, so to speak. These were actually pretty simple to make and will easily feed four to five hungry folks. You can’t go wrong with protein-rich beans, nutrient-laden kale, and the vitamin-packed sweet potato. Eating tacos has never been healthier (or tastier)!

INGREDIENTS:
Tacos

3 C (roughly 2 medium-sized ones) sweet potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 a large onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 C Lacianto (dinosaur) kale, chopped
Olive oil
Cumin
Chili powder
Salt and pepper
Lime juice
Cashew-Cilantro sauce
1 C cashews, soaked in hot water for 30-60 minutes
1 garlic clove
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C cilantro leaves
1/3 C water
1/8 C lime juice
A dash or two of cumin
The rest
8 small flour tortillas

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425. Place the sweet potato pieces in a medium bowl and drizzle with some olive oil. Sprinkle with cumin and chili powder. Toss to coat. Transfer to a large baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, depending on how big the pieces of sweet potato are. Check them often for doneness.
Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Kale Tacos -- Epicurean VeganWhile they are roasting, saute the onion in a large skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat. Once they start to soften, add the black beans. Sprinkle with some cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. When the beans started to look a little dry, I added a little lime juice. Then add the sweet potato.
Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Kale Tacos -- Epicurean VeganReduce heat to low and fold in the kale.
Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Kale Tacos -- Epicurean VeganWhile the kale is slowly cooking down (you can add some more lime juice if things are looking dry), prepare the sauce. Drain and rinse the cashews and throw them in a food processor with the garlic clove. Blend for 5 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients (but don’t add all the water at once; you may want to tweak the consistency of the sauce) and blend until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl, if necessary. Transfer to a squeeze bottle. To serve, place a scoop or two on a warm tortilla and top with sauce. Enjoy!

Sweet Potato, Black Bean & Kale Tacos
 
Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Total time
30 mins
 
I've seen versions of this dish all over, but I wanted to keep this simple. I knew I also wanted a kick of flavor with an easy, creamy sauce. The combo of sweet potatoes, beans, and kale, is a grand slam win; a trifecta of flavors. Of course, then you add the cilantro-lime cashew sauce and it's icing on the cake, so to speak. These were actually pretty simple to make and will easily feed four to five hungry folks. You can't go wrong with protein-rich beans, nutrient-laden kale, and the vitamin-packed sweet potato. Eating tacos has never been healthier (or tastier)!
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • Tacos
  • .
  • 3 C (roughly 2 medium-sized ones) sweet potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ a large onion, chopped
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 C Lacianto (dinosaur) kale, chopped
  • Olive oil
  • Cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • Lime juice
  • .
  • Cashew-Cilantro sauce
  • .
  • 1 C cashews, soaked in hot water for 30-60 minutes
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ C cilantro leaves
  • ⅓ C water
  • ⅛ C lime juice
  • A dash or two of cumin
  • .
  • The rest
  • .
  • 8 small flour tortillas
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425. Place the sweet potato pieces in a medium bowl and drizzle with some olive oil. Sprinkle with cumin and chili powder. Toss to coat. Transfer to a large baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, depending on how big the pieces of sweet potato are. Check them often for doneness.
  2. While they are roasting, saute the onion in a large skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat. Once they start to soften, add the black beans. Sprinkle with some cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. When the beans started to look a little dry, I added a little lime juice. Then add the sweet potato.
  3. Reduce heat to low and fold in the kale.
  4. While the kale is slowly cooking down (you can add some more lime juice if things are looking dry), prepare the sauce. Drain and rinse the cashews and throw them in a food processor with the garlic clove. Blend for 5 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients (but don't add all the water at once; you may want to tweak the consistency of the sauce) and blend until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl, if necessary. Transfer to a squeeze bottle.
  5. To serve, place a scoop or two on a warm tortilla and top with sauce. Enjoy!
3.4.3177

 

Filed Under: Dinners Tagged With: black beans, cashew sauce, easy, healthy, kale, roasted sweet potato, Sweet potatoes, tacos, vegan tacos

The Forty-Year-Old Vegan

June 25, 2014 by Epicurean Vegan

Turning FortyNope not me. Thank goodness. I still have a few more years before I hit the little eff. The Husband, however, gets the honor of hitting this milestone first. He took it all in stride and even had a whiskey flight to lessen the blow.

Whiskey FlightSo for the big day, I asked him what he wanted to do: restaurant or eat at home. Petrified of singing waiters, he happily opted for dinner at home. He couldn’t decide what he wanted, so he chose two favorites that really don’t go together, but hey, it’s his day.

Tacos and Mac n' CheeseYep. Tacos and Mac n’ Cheese. Two of his favorites. He thought he had died and gone to some vegan buffet. For dessert, I wanted to try making carrot cake and I found this excellent recipe from Love and Lemons.

Vegan Carrot Cake Slice

The cake is delicious! I would certainly make this again, however, I’d probably go with a vegan cream cheese frosting rather than the macadamia nut frosting. It was still good, but I think we all preferred the traditional cream cheese kind.

So my present to myself (for his birthday) is I got a new site! (I sure hope you noticed). Isn’t it be-u-tee-ful?! I’m still playing around with some stuff, but I’m loving the new look. My friend Carolyn, who is starting her own design business created this much more user-friendly, easier-on-the-eye site. Email me via the fancy new contact page, if you’d like to get Carolyn’s info—she does great work!

I will be posting a new recipe in a day or two and thanks to the new layout, you’ll have the ability to print the recipe! (Yes, I know, I’m a so behind the times). See you soon!

 

Filed Under: Desserts, My Vegan Life Tagged With: Love and Lemons, vegan coffee cake, vegan mac and cheese, vegan tacos

Lime n’ Bean Tacos with Field Roast & Bell Peppers

May 23, 2014 by Epicurean Vegan

Lime n' Bean Tacos with Field Roast and Bell Peppers -- Epicurean VeganIt doesn’t get much easier than this! These tacos take so little time to prepare, but are packed with flavor. Feel free to use flour tortillas, if you prefer and load up on the toppings. I went with non dairy sour cream, veg cheese and tomatoes. Avocados would have been great, but until they’re less than $1.59 a piece, I’ll hold off. With or without the guac, these make a delicious meal in minutes.

INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbs olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 yellow onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced thin, then halved
1 Field Roast sausage link, Chipotle flavor, broken into chunks
1 15-oz can tri-bean blend (pinto, kidney, black), drained and rinsed
2 Tbs lime juice
1/2 C cilantro, chopped
Optional toppings: tomato, avocado, sour cream, cheese, salsa
Taco shells, warmed

DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. Add the onions and bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes, or until they soften.

Lime n' Bean Tacos with Field Roast & Bell Peppers -- Epicurean VeganAdd the Field Roast and cook another 5 minutes, or until it is heated through. Stir in the beans and cook until they are heated through. Stir in the lime and cilantro.
Lime n' Bean Tacos with Field Roast & Bell Peppers -- Epicurean VeganScoop into the taco shells, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Lime n' Bean Tacos with Field Roast & Bell Peppers
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
15 mins
Total time
20 mins
 
It doesn't get much easier than this! These tacos take so little time to prepare, but are packed with flavor. Feel free to use flour tortillas, if you prefer and load up on the toppings. I went with non dairy sour cream, veg cheese and tomatoes. Avocados would have been great, but until they're less than $1.59 a piece, I'll hold off. With or without the guac, these make a delicious meal in minutes.
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Ingredients
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin, then halved
  • 1 Field Roast sausage link, Chipotle flavor, broken into chunks
  • 1 15-oz can tri-bean blend (pinto, kidney, black), drained and rinsed
  • 2 Tbs lime juice
  • ½ C cilantro, chopped
  • Optional toppings: tomato, avocado, sour cream, cheese, salsa
  • Taco shells, warmed
Directions
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. Add the onions and bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes, or until they soften.
  2. Add the Field Roast and cook another 5 minutes, or until it is heated through.
  3. Stir in the beans and cook until they are heated through.
  4. Stir in the lime and cilantro.
  5. Scoop into the taco shells, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
3.4.3177

Filed Under: Dinners, Lunches Tagged With: beans, bell pepper, fast and easy, Field Roast, Mexican, onion, vegan tacos, veggie tacos

Guac & Bean Tacos

July 8, 2012 by epicureanvegan

Guac & Bean Tacos -- Epicurean Vegan

If you need a fast and fresh dinner (or lunch) these are ideal. I really like La Tortilla Factory’s homemade style tortillas for these. They’re a cross between a corn and flour tortilla and are the perfect size.

INGREDIENTS:
4 avocados
1/2 C white or red onion, diced
1/2 to 1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp lime juice
1 can black beans, undrained
1/2 C fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tomato, diced
Tortillas
Lettuce, chopped

Guac & Bean Tacos -- Epicurean Vegan

DIRECTIONS:
Mash the avocados and add the onion, lime juice, and garlic salt.

Guac & Bean Tacos -- Epicurean Vegan

In a small sauce pan, heat the beans, stirring often, until heated through. Get ready to assemble . . .

Guac & Bean Tacos -- Epicurean Vegan

Layer on some avocado mixture, cilantro, beans, and tomatoes. Enjoy!

Guac & Bean Tacos
 
Print
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Ingredients
  • 4 avocados
  • ½ C white or red onion, diced
  • ½ to 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • 1 can black beans, undrained
  • ½ C fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • Tortillas
  • Lettuce, chopped
Directions
  1. Mash the avocados and add the onion, lime juice, and garlic salt.
  2. In a small sauce pan, heat the beans, stirring often, until heated through. Get ready to assemble: Layer on some avocado mixture, cilantro, beans, and tomatoes. Enjoy!
3.4.3177

Filed Under: Dinners, Lunches Tagged With: avocados, black beans, fast and easy, guacamole, La Tortilla Factory, Mexican, tacos, vegan tacos

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The Epicurean Vegan is devoted to those wanting to eat healthy, save animals, and reduce their carbon footprint. My decision to go vegan started out as a quest to get healthier, but the more I learned about veganism, the more I realized how damaging the meat and dairy industries are to the environment and, of course, the animals. And it is for these reasons, that I would never go back to eating or wearing animal products. Ever.
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