Kidney Bean Tacos for a Cause

Can we just taco 'bout how good Mexican food is? I love using Mexican flavors in my cooking, especially when I want to make something healthy taste amazingly flavorful and spicy. I've been wanting to make vegan tacos for a while and I've also wanted to share a recipe using kidney beans because one of my friends is involved with raising funds for the National Kidney Foundation's kidney walk on May 22nd on Long Island and what better way to show my support for raising awareness for kidney disease than with a little play on words (for the record, I'll be at the kidney walk too and if you live on Long Island, come support by walking!). For more info on the kidney walk and kidney disease, please follow me on instagram @vitaminvalentine where I'll have a link to register for the walk.

Although this recipe was specifically made using kidney beans, if you don't have any, you can substitute black beans, pinto beans, or whatever you have in stock. If you're not a fan of tofu, you can use seitan, tempeh, or whatever you'd like.

Kidney Bean Tacos (serves 2)

Ingredients

• ½ can kidney beans, or ¾ cup dry kidney beans
• 5 oz. extra firm tofu (or substitute with another protein)
• 4 small soft-shell corn tortillas (I bought the ones I used at Trader Joe's)
• ½ tsp. chili powder (regular)
• ¼ tsp. chipotle chili powder
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. oil (for the pan)
• 2 tsp. olive oil as dressing
• salsa, pico de gallo (I bought two varieties at TJ's, but if you have a salsa recipe you like, feel free to use that)
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• sprinkle of salt
• 1 avocado
• 2 cups chopped kale
• ¼ cup chopped tomatoes or sliced grape tomatoes
• 2 tbsp. red onion, diced

Directions

• Drain the beans and press the excess water out of the tofu. Slice tofu into smaller pieces
• Dice red onions
• In a saute pan, add 2 tsp. oil and add onions and tofu. Add in spices (chili powders, garlic powder) and lime juice as the tofu and onions simmer on low heat
• Add beans as tofu starts to brown
• As the tofu and beans cook, in a bowl, massage olive oil onto the kale
• To the bowl of kale, add cilantro, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of salt
• Slice the avocado
• Microwave (or if you really want to be authentic, steam) the taco shells for ~30 seconds
• Remove the bean and tofu mixture from the stove when all the lime juice is absorbed and beans and tofu are lightly coated with spices
• Place the taco shells on plates
• Add the beans and tofu, then add the kale salad mixture
• Top with sliced avocado and salsas of your preference
• Enjoy with some corn tortilla chips and salsa or guacamole 🙂

-Jess