Taco Tuesday Vegan Style ~ Spicy Taco Salad

I know we’re a day early for Taco Tuesday but we’re doing this. TODAY.

I don’t know about you but I’ve been doing some form of taco Tuesday since college but let’s be honest every day of the week was Taco Thursday or Pizza Monday or whatever…you get the idea, right? Well now, as an adult, I appreciate tacos as much as ever–7 years living in southern California solidified it–but I don’t always appreciate all the extra calories that come from taco shells.

Maybe I eat too many tacos. Maybe.

Possibly.

Who can really say?

In case you’re wondering I DO love a hard shell tortilla and it’s a plus they’re vegan. But if you knew how many I could eat then you’d understand why I salad-ified my go to Mexican dish.

This is a pretty easy dish to make especially if you opt to use beans, which I did. Or tofu crumbles, which I also did.

Told ya, I can be a bit of a pig under the right circumstances!

Seriously though, this recipe is pretty easy because you cook everything on its own.

Brown rice
Chop, rinse & spin lettuce
Saute onion, bell pepper & mixed garlic
Homemade salsa with tomatoes, jalapenos, parsley, lime juice and tequila
Slice or halve olives
Chop avocado (optional)
Top with sliced jalapeno peppers

Then…the fun part. Loading it up!

Be sure to rinse the lettuce in cold water so you keep a nice crunch with every bite!

The thing I love about this dish, besides its simplicity, is that it’s healthy and packed with veggies. If you use fresh salsa, which I recommend, you get ALL the nutrients from tomatoes, onions, parsley, lime juice, scallions, garlic, bell pepper and all the herbs and seasoning which includes: chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt & pepper and oregano. It’s jammed packed with flavor and good stuff for your body.

Feel free to omit the 1/2 shot of tequila too. I don’t always use it but I do love the flavor it adds to a really good salsa. Up the lime juice if you want more acidity without the alcohol or go really crazy and mix lemon and lime juice.

Or just do a shot and enjoy your salad with ice cold beer or water.

I prefer both because good skin doesn’t happen without lots of water.