After the work day is done, it's Taco Tuesday Night at dinner tables across America! Whether you are making traditional ones or those that feature seafood, tacos come in many delicious varieties. They are pretty easy to make and a guaranteed favorite amongst all ages.
But what if you could enjoy them..without the actual meat? In one of our previous posts, we talked more about the benefits of gradually cutting meat and dairy from your diet as a way to give your digestive system a break by reducing the amount you eat during the week. Reducing the amount of meat and dairy you consume 3-4 times a week can help those with diabetes and auto-immune disorders. This is also a great way to get more creative with other recipes, introduce your taste buds to new things and explore ways in how to get more plant-based nutrition. You can check out that blog post by clicking here.
Walnuts are a great source of healthy fats that contain the essential fatty acid of Omega 3 (something we can't fully produce in our bodies on our own). Omega 3 helps to boost brain function, encourage the creation of neurons and boost the nervous system, which makes walnuts a great brain and nerve food as well. It's not a coincidence that walnuts look like brains! Recent studies have also shown that walnuts aid the digestive system by encouraging good gut flora, as well as helping to manage weight. When this nut is pulsed in a food processor, it creates a consistency similar to taco meat. So it makes sense that replacing regular meat with "walnut meat" is a super healthy (and filling) alternative!
Pumpkin seeds are chock full of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, iron calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc and copper. Recent studies have shown that pumpkin seeds could also improve prostrate and bladder issues as well as expel intestinal parasites. They are also hormone balancing, which is great news for your metabolism. It's healthy fats keep you full longer to maintain weight! Adding these to your walnut meat is an awesome extra boost of nutrition!
Meatless Monday may have been yesterday, but just in case you missed it, here's another chance to try it for the week!
Meatless Walnut Taco Recipe
Ingredients:
3 cups of cauliflower florets (frozen or fresh)
Small packet of baby bella mushrooms (sliced)
1 cup of walnuts (raw and unshelled)
Half cup of pumpkin seeds
Soft/hard taco shells OR tortillas
Optional: Lettuce wraps (if you are avoiding bread)
Red onions (chopped)
Basil or cilantro (for toppings)
Seasonings:
Chili Powder
Cumin
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Bragg's Liquid Aminos or Coconut Aminos (a soy sauce/tamari alternative)
Himalayan Sea Salt (to taste)
Garlic Powder
How to Prepare the Walnut Meat
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In the meantime, combine the cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and all seasonings in a food processor and pulse until it has a "meaty" consistency. Spread the mixture evenly on a sheet pan lined parchment paper and bake for about 30 minutes. Be sure to stir the mixture halfway through. After cooling a little, add the walnut meat to your tortilla, taco or lettuce wrap. Finish with fresh basil or cilantro.
Wah-la! Tacos!
Let us know how your version of this recipe turns out in the comment section below!