Black Bean Tacos with Roasted Corn Salsa

Healthy tacos made with seasoned black beans, an easy corn salsa and a delicious cilantro pesto.

These Black Bean Tacos served in a tortilla or even a zucchini boat are so good that you definitely won’t miss the meat. It is a healthy meatless meal that not only tastes great, it’s budget-friendly too! 

I love making tacos! One of our favorite things about tacos is how versatile they are. There are literally hundreds of taco recipes out there to choose from.  It’s good to have variety! There is nothing boring about these tacos, the black beans are full of flavor and completely filling, the corn salsa adds a sweet twist and the cilantro pesto brings it all home! Trust me you will go back for seconds!

I’ve been trying to cut out carbs so instead of a tortilla, I made a zucchini boat as my vessel. You can even serve this on top of a salad. This recipe is that versatile!

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Wine Pairing? Scout and Cellar GALLIVANT ROSÉ! Lively and refreshing with strawberry, red cherry and fresh melon balanced by limestone on a dry, well-textured frame with a clean finish. Click the link under the photo to order a bottle!

http://www.scoutandcellar.com/whiskawaykitchen

INGREDIENTS

Corn Salsa:

• 1 can Roasted Corn, drained
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 3/4 cup thinly sliced radishes, cut into quarters
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime and zest

Cilantro Pesto:

• 1 cup tightly packed cilantro leaves 
• 1 small shallot
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon jalapeno pepper
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Black Beans:

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (14.5 ounces) black beans, drained
• 1 cup fresh mild salsa
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

INSTRUCTIONS

Corn Salsa:

Combine all ingredients. Stir, adjust seasoning to taste, and set aside to marinate while preparing the rest of the tacos.

Cilantro Pesto

Add all the ingredients except the olive oil and pulse in a blender until combined. Once it is all combined, add olive oil and pulse a few times quickly until combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside to marinate while preparing the rest of the tacos.

Black Beans:

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add1 tablespoon olive oil. Add in the chopped onion and saute for 3 minutes over medium high heat. Add in the garlic and stir for another 30 seconds. Add in the black beans, salsa, chili powder and cumin. Simmer mixture for about 5 -10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slightly mash half of the beans if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Putting it all together!

Warm tortillas or a zucchini boat, and add a generous amount of the black beans mixture topped by the corn topping, and a spoonful of the pesto. 

Add the rest of your favorite taco toppings like cheese, guacamole or sour cream.

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Blackened Fish Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

I’d have to say I am an avid taco lover.  I eat tacos of some sort at least twice a week.  

This is one of my favorite taco recipes! 

The fish is so flavorful and spicy, but the heat is mellowed out by the slaw and creamy avocado sauce.  All together it has a ton of amazing tastes and textures. These tacos are perfect for a hot summer’s day spent by the pool. 

You can choose any white fish, such as grouper, tilapia, snapper, whatever fish you like. 

The slaw recipe is so easy! Just buy the pre-made Tri-color Coleslaw bag, drop it into a large bowl and toss in the onions, cilantro and lime. 

A glass of Scout & Cellar 2019 CONTE DE LA TERRE VERMENTINO is the perfect pairing for these tacos and a pool day! 

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BLACKENED SEASONING

• 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ¼  teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

FISH

• 6 (4 ounce) white fish fillets 
• 2-3 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 lemon cut into wedges
• 8 to 10 (6 inch) flour or corn tortillas

THE SLAW: 

• 1 Tri-color Coleslaw bag
• ½ medium-sized onion, diced
• ½ cup cilantro
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• Pinch of salt

AVOCADO-CILANTRO SAUCE:

• 1 avocado
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ cup cilantro leaves
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 3 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp. Sriracha, optional
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• ¼ to ½ cup water (depending on consistency)

INSTRUCTIONS

In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried Italian seasoning, onion powder, cumin, sea salt, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. 

Heat a heavy cast iron pan on high heat until extremely hot, about 10 minutes.

Pour 3/4 cup melted butter into a shallow dish. Dip each fillet into butter, turning once to coat both sides. Sprinkle both sides of fillets with spice mixture, and gently pat mixture onto fish.

Place fillets into a hot pan without crowding. Carefully melt about 1 teaspoon melted butter and spoon  over each fillet. Cook until the fish has a charred appearance, about 2 minutes. Turn fillets, spoon 1 teaspoon melted butter over each, and cook until charred. Repeat with remaining fish. You may need to add more butter to the pan, as you cook remaining fish. Squeeze lemon juice onto fish.

No one said this was healthy. LOL

To make the avocado sauce, combine the avocado, garlic, cilantro, yogurt, lime juice, sriracha and salt/pepper in a food processor and pulse until combined. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and water until smooth until you have your desired consistency.

Combine all of the Slaw ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

Heat the oil in a cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Once heated, add in the fish (a few at a time if you can’t fit them all at once). Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the outside is blackened and the fish flakes apart easily.

Remove the fish from the heat, and if desired, warm the corn tortillas in the same skillet over medium heat, cooking for about 30 seconds on each side.

Break up the fish into pieces. 

To assemble the tacos, place chicken in a tortilla and top with slaw and a drizzle of the avocado sauce. 

Serve with a fresh squeeze of lime and enjoy!

MOJO PORK

Every Christmas, my family has a smorgasbord of Italian and Spanish dishes. And Mojo pork is always on the table.  This recipe has become my go to for easy slow cooker meals..

This recipe is juicy, succulent with garlic and citrus  and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The pork is SO tender and juicy on the inside, while deliciously crisp and golden on the edges! I love it over yellow rice, in tacos or used to make a Cuban sandwich. And the best part is, you make this in the slow cooker so it cooks all day and will be ready when you get home from work. 

I have to admit, it has taken me many failed attempts and trying a variety of different recipes before finally creating this one and falling in love. It was all worth it! My secret little ingredient is Coca Cola! It really lifts the pork to bolder and better flavors! The orange juice and lime juice combo tenderizes the pork, while the natural sugars in the juices and the coke combined turn what would be just another pulled pork recipe, into heaven in your mouth! The trick to getting crispy edges, after shredding the pork, pop it in the oven on boil for 5-10 minutes until the meat is gold brown and crispy!

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Pair this with Scout & Cellar Clean-Crafted™ 2018 L’ORIGINAL SPARKLING ROSÉ. 

Click the link to shop!
https://scoutandcellar.com/?u=whiskawaykitchen

A vibrant raspberry in color with fine, fizzy bubbles and notes of candied cherry, macerated strawberry, blood orange and cantaloupe on a full-bodied frame with a mouth-coating finish.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup Coke
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 7 cloves garlic , peeled and smashed
• 1 medium sweet onion , sliced thin
• 2 bay leaf
• 3 pound pork shoulder roast
• Limes and Cilantro for garnish

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, orange juice, lime juice, salt, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, pepper, and garlic.

Make slits in the pork with a paring knife and rub liberally all over with the oil mixture.

Place pork in the slow cooker, along with the onion and bay leaf. Pour the remaining juices from the bowl over the pork.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

Transfer pork to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Using two forks, shred into thick chunks.

Transfer the pork to a baking sheet lightly sprayed with cooking oil spray (or lined with aluminium foil or parchment paper).

Pour 1 ladle full (about 1 cup) of the liquid from the slow cooker over the pork to season. 

Broil for 5-10 minutes on high heat until the meat becomes golden browned and crispy on the edges.

Season with a little extra salt and pepper if desired. Pour over more of the slow cooker juices once the meat has crisped for added flavor, just before serving!

Serve over rice or as tacos.

Zucchini Taco Boats

Looking for an alternative to your Taco Tuesday?

These Zucchini Taco boats are made with fresh zucchini stuffed with seasoned ground beef, bell peppers, and topped with cheese and salsa. But the filling could literally be anything, from chicken and corn, to meatballs with tomato sauce! 

They are low carb and keto diet friendly. 

Start with 3 or 4 small zucchini. 

I used a small cookie scoop to scoop out the middle of the zucchini, but you can also use a small spoon. I got a little close to the edge on one of them, but don’t worry about it. The meat filling will cover it up. I love using the insides of the zucchini I scooped out to add filler, so place the insides to the side.  

Pour 1/2 cup of your favorite salsa in a baking dish- I used Pace. Lay the boats on top of the salsa and sprinkle each with salt. 

Now it’s time to make the filling.  Heat a pan over medium-heat and cook the meat. You can use any ground meat, I used ground beef.  Once the meat is cooked, transfer to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the same pan and add a drizzle of EVOO.

Sauté the insides of the zucchini. Make sure to cook it down to reduce the liquid. Then add bell peppers,- any color,  I used red and yellow. Sprinkle it with chili powder, cumin, and salt. Stir together and cook for about two minutes. Add the red onion and garlic. It should start to smell like it’s almost Taco time! 

Continue to cook until vegetables are softened and water has absorbed. Lastly, add the meat back to the pan, and stir together. Once it is combined, it’s time to fill up the boats. Go ahead and fill those babies up- don’t be shy! Let the meat spill over if you need to.

I love cheese and, what’s a taco if it doesn’t have any cheese on it? Cover the filled boats with shredded cheese. I used Cheddar but Monterrey Jack or a Mexican blend would work great, too. 

Place the baking dish in the 400°F preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes. 

This recipe  is great if you’re looking for a low-carb option for tacos, or need to get more veggies into your diet. Try them out for Taco Tuesday and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 Zucchini
• 1lb Ground Beef
• 1/2 cup Mixed Red & Yellow Bell Peppers, finely diced
• 1/2 cup Red Onion, diced
• 2 Cloves Garlic, minced  
• 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
• 2 teaspoons Cumin 
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 8 ounces Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Salsa

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°F

Prepare your zucchini, cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Use a measuring spoon (teaspoon) to hollow out the zucchini forming a boat… save the insides and set aside. 

Pour salsa into a baking dish.

Place the zucchini boats in the same baking dish and sprinkle a small amount of salt over them.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Once cooked, transfer to a bowl. Wipe out the same pan and add a drizzle of EVOO.

Add the inside of the zucchini, water will release. Let it cook down to reduce the liquid, then add bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Stir together and cook for about two minutes. Then add the red onion and garlic.

Continue to cook until vegetables are softened and water has absorbed. Add the meat back to the pan, stir together. 

Once combined, fill each zucchini boat with the beef and vegetable mixture.

Top the zucchini boats with cheddar cheese.

Bake for 25 minutes or until zucchini has softened and cheese is melted.

Serve hot! 

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos

This recipe was very popular a few years ago on Pinterest. It’s definitely become one of my go to recipes when I know it is going to be a long day at work and want something easy for dinner!

These Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos are ridiculously easy and sure to become your go-to lifesaver dinner! The chicken turns out super moist and flavorful every time.

Add chicken breasts, salsa, and a Ranch seasoning packet into your slow cooker. And let the slow cooker do all of the work. Before serving shred the chicken, serve it on a tortilla with all your favorite toppings! For my tacos, I add a Cilantro Lime sauce and fresh Pico de Gallo, I included the recipes for each!

RANCH CHICKEN TACOS INGREDIENTS

• 4 skinless chicken breasts
• 1 jar (16 ounces) chunky tomato salsa
• 1 packet Ranch Seasoning and Salad Dressing Mix

RANCH CHICKEN TACOS DIRECTIONS

Pour salsa mixture over chicken and turn chicken to coat.

Cover with a lid and cook on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 4.5 hours.

Transfer chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks.

Stir the chicken back into the slow cooker; evenly divide chicken over warm tortillas and garnish with your favorite toppings.

Serve.

FRESH PICO DE GALLO INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• I clove garlic, minced 
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt & Pepper to taste

CILANTRO LIME SAUCE INGREDIENTS

• 1 small bunch cilantro 
• 3 cloves garlic
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 1  medium avocado 
• 2 tbsp water

RANCH CHICKEN TACOS DIRECTIONS 

Pour salsa mixture over chicken and turn chicken to coat.

Cover with a lid and cook on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 4.5 hours.

Transfer chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks.

Stir the chicken back into the slow cooker; evenly divide chicken over warm tortillas and garnish with your favorite toppings.

Serve.

FRESH PICO DE GALLO DIRECTIONS

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl.

CILANTRO LIME SAUCE DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a food processor/blender and blend until smooth.