Healthy Tofu Tacos

For a long time tofu has had have a bad name. Not many people seem to care for it, and I used to be one of them. But I'm telling you if you season it right it can actually be really delicious and even something you'll want to make again and again!

In these tofu tacos the tofu is abundantly seasoned with a variety of Mexican spices, soy sauce and lime juice which builds up much more depth and a welcome vibrant flavor.

Believe it or not you may find you like them just as much as the classic ground beef tacos! And these are a healthier alternative to rotate with, plus tofu is about half the price of ground beef and ground turkey.

These tacos come together quickly for a simple weeknight meal, they are perfectly filling, and they make a great leftover lunch the next day if you have any left.

If you haven't given tofu a chance yet I'd say this is an excellent place to start. And as always with tacos, just be sure to pile high all those tasty toppings!

Baja Bowl Inspired by Panera

These flavorful bowls, inspired by Panera version, include layer after layer of fresh flavor and a variety of textures. You get some nutty chewiness with the grains, tender softness and sweet flavor from the sweet potatoes, tart tang from the cilantro lime dressing, and a crisp bite from the fresh bell pepper and corn.

Collectively they create one beautifully colorful and deliciously satisfying grain bowl.

After you try this Mexican spin on grain bowls you can try building your own grain bowl from scratch. Wondering how to build a grain bowl? Simply include a base layer of grains, add fresh and/or roasted vegetables, a protein (such as legumes, meat, tofu, eggs) or cheese, fresh greens, and finish with a dressing or sauce of choice.

They make such a filling dinner and are an excellent option for make ahead meal prep for lunch too.

Possible Variations

To build these bowls include the grain and black beans, from there you can add your own substitutions:

• Protein: These can also be made with chicken thighs or chicken breasts in place of the sweet potatoes, I've included instructions in the note of the recipe.
• Cheese: You can add cheese such as feta, cheddar or queso fresco.
• Sauces: They are also delicious with a heaping spoonful of salsa, pico de gallo or a finishing drizzle of Mexican hot sauce.  If you want more creaminess try serving them with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Veggies: You can subsistute some of the vegetables here for others you may have on hand, that's the beauty of a grain bowl. Poblano pepper, zucchini, winter squash, or tomatoes are a great fit.
• Grains: These could also be made with farro or barley. Or you can use all brown rice or all quinoa rather than a blend.

Easy Black Bean Soup

This black bean soup is a must try soup recipe! Sure it may sound meh if you've never had it but trust me, if you flavor it right it can become a crave-worthy soup.

Here we add rich bacon, vibrant bell pepper or poblano peppers, fire roasted tomatoes, earthy seasonings including cumin and ancho chili powder and it takes basic bland black beans to an exciting new level.

And let's not forget to mention those highlighting finishes. Bright fresh lime juice, herby cilantro, creamy avocados and sour cream, and always cheese (cheddar, queso fresco or feta are great).

This may just become a new favorite black bean recipe for you!

Crispy Baked Chicken Strips with the Best Sauce

Sweet and sticky, peppery and bold, this hot honey chicken will be an absolute hit for spicy food loving fans.

To make it it's a simple process of dredging chicken pieces through a trio of coatings then baking them all at once. And the final finish of tempting hot honey sauce couldn't be easier to make. It only requires 3 ingredients that together create the most crave-able sauce. Honey, Sriracha, and butter.

The honey of course brings the sweetness, the hot sauce perfectly enhances it with striking brightness, and the butter balances and tones it out as well as bringing in a layer of richness. You'll want to add this sauce to everything!

This hot honey chicken can be served as a party appetizer, a game day favorite, or as a main dish entree paired with the classic sides (see ideas below).

My few tips with this recipe are to generously coat the chicken with the finely crushed up corn flakes, which will offer plenty of crunch. And wait to add the sauce until immediately before serving or even use it as a dip to keep the chicken strips extra crisp.

What is an Elote?

Elotes, also known as grilled Elote Mexicano, Mexican street corn, or Mexican grilled corn, is a popular Mexican street food. “Elote” means “corn on the cob” in Spanish, and the recipe consists of corn on the cob that has been grilled and slathered with a mayo or crema sauce, topped with Cotija cheese, and dusted with chili powder.

In Mexico, it is sold to locals and tourists from street carts much like pretzels or hot dogs in New York. Once you try elotes for the first time you'll be wondering "Where has this been all my life?!"

It's perfectly juicy and crisp, it has a delicious balance of sweet and spicy heat, the creamy coating with a zip of lime and chili powder perfectly compliments it's mellow flavor, and the cheese finish makes it amazingly crave-worthy.

This is a side dish you do not want to miss out on! I'd dare say it's a summer staple and should regularly be added to the dinner rotation.

Chicken Tinga Tacos

Tired of the same taco recipe over and over? This is a delicious, flavorful recipe to brighten up that same old rotation.

This stove-top simmered chicken tinga makes an impressive taco filling and there's really not a whole lot to it. It cooks in 30 minutes meaning you don't have to wait hours and hours like you do for a shredded beef or pork taco filling.

If however you do have more time, you could easily get away with simmering it low and slow in the crockpot slow cooker or instant pot instead (it should be done in about 3 to 4 hours on low heat), which should make it even easier to shred chicken quickly.

Is it Spicy?

Yes, chicken tinga is deliciously spicy because of the added chipotle chiles in the dish. I've listed to add 1 - 3 chipotle chilies to taste depending on the heat level you prefer (we love it with 3!).

Then there is a swap noted in the substitutes below if you want a milder version with fewer spices.

Easy Skillet Steak Tacos

Tacos are one of the best foods out there and these steak tacos are no exception!

They are brimming with bright lime flavor and delicious seasonings, the hint of honey in the marinade helps the steak sear beautifully, and the toppings that crown them are the perfect finishing highlight.

The key here is just to pick out good quality steak. I recommend looking for sirloin with a generous amount of marbling or using prime grade. Marbling is the fat swirled throughout the steak, more marbling means more flavor and a more tender piece of meat (I buy prime top sirloin at Costco for about $10 a pound, it's a great place to get good quality steak).

I think it's safe to say these tacos will quickly become a family favorite! They take little effort yet finish with big flavor.

Watch the Video!

[wprm-recipe-video]

Easy Tri Tip Roast

This has been a go-to recipe at our house for the last few months because it's incredibly easy to make, you only need a handful of ingredients, and it’s made with a less expensive cut of beef.

You can usually find tri tip quite a bit cheaper than most steaks (which are getting very expensive lately). We just buy a 2-pack at $7.99 per pound at our local Costco and freeze the second one for later (for best quality use frozen tri tip within 3 months).

The key to a good tri tip is in the seasoning and the cooking method. Here we give it a nice spice rub for added flavor, let it rest at room temp a while, then roast it in a moderately heated oven, and last finish it by reverse searing (baking then skillet browning) for a few minutes in a scorching pan.

It's the perfect beef roast!

What is Tri Tip?

• Tri tip is a cut of beef that comes from the bottom of the sirloin of a cow. It is usually cut in a triangular shape.
• You'll find it has a nice beefy flavor and great tender texture when cooked to a medium doneness.
• Its name comes from its triangular shape and the fact that it's cut at a tapered tip, at the very tip of the sirloin.
• Options available are select, choice and prime grades. Select is lowest quality, choice is good quality, and prime the best quality. I recommend buying only choice or prime.

Easy Ground Turkey Tacos Recipe

Weeknights usually call for quick recipes, like these simple turkey tacos.

They have a quick prep and can be ready in 30 minutes! We even simplify with a store-bought salsa to save time, and you could also go the pre-shredded lettuce and pre-shredded cheese route for more short-cuts.

Or just assign help with toppings to a family member or friend if they'll get to enjoy the meal too and you can have dinner ready in a flash!

These healthy turkey tacos are definitely an upgrade from your standard taco seasoning packet tacos. The secret is to add some freshness (bright salsa, garlic, cilantro) and your own blend of spices.

It's a recipe destined to become a regular on the dinner menu!

Watch the Video!

[wprm-recipe-video]

Wondering what to serve with tacos?

Here are a few classic options:

• Black Beans
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Mexican Rice
• Refried Beans
• Then for dessert finish with easy fried ice cream!

What is Carne Asada?

Carne Asada is a Mexican dish made with marinated beef (using less expensive cuts of steak such as skirt, flank, tenderloin, or rib) and it's usually cooked on a grill or in a heavy skillet.

Most frequently it's served alone or in tacos but can also be added to many various dishes (see ideas below).

Personally, it's one of my favorite things to order when eating out at Mexican restaurants, but of course I also love to make it at home.

This recipe is the best blend I've come up with, with a little of this and a handful of that. And together it creates one perfectly harmonious blend of flavors. Chef's kiss on this one!