Red Kidney Beans Taco

On those days when I feel like eating something fresh, crunchy, but also warm and filling, tacos hit just the spot. They are so easy to prepare and the best thing is that I can put anything that I have in the fridge. If I don't have a particular vegetable, I can replace it with another. With the exception of beans.....for me, tacos must have beans (probably since we can't have meat).

When I first thought about making tacos on a vegan diet, I couldn't think of what to use instead of meat. Then, as I became more familiar with vegan cooking, I found that if you add certain spices to beans they taste more 'meaty' and can totally hold their own.

I really love cumin. The smell, the taste....mmmmmmm. Added to these beans, they really transform the beans to something else. And the slightly spiced, warm, tomatoe-y beans are a perfect match to put into the crunchy tacos.

Serves 2 hungry adults

Ingredients

• Two 400g cans of red kidney beans
• 1 Tbsp of olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 5 garlic, chopped
• 2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (for added health boost)
• 4 Tbsp tomato paste (I used the no added salt one)
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• pepper
• Fresh coriander
• Optional, but totally worth it: taco sauce (I used Old El Paso Taco Sauce, 200g)

Preparation

1. Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a fry pan on medium heat.
2. Add onions and cook until the edges of the onion start getting a bit brown - approximately 5 minutes.
3. Add 5 chopped garlic and fry for a few seconds.
4. Add 2 tsp of cumin powder and 1/4 tsp turmeric, and fry with the garlic and onion for about 20 - 30 seconds. Careful not to burn the powders! Lower the heat if necessary.
5. Mix in the 4 Tbsp of tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes.
6. Add in the beans (no need to drain it) and stir to combine it with the tomato paste.
7. Add 1/2 tsp oregano, taco sauce, salt and pepper. Stir and cook until it has reached the desired consistency.
8. Finish off with some chopped fresh coriander. Mix it in nicely and you're done!
9. Serve it together with crispy tacos (we had 2 packets of the Old El Paso original taco shells), smashed avocado and fresh & cucumber tomatoes.

Other taco filling ideas:

• smashed avocado with salt, pepper and a dash of garlic powder.
• finely chopped tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum with a squeeze of lemon juice, some salt and pepper and some fresh chopped corriander.

You could also add lettuce, spinach, mushrooms, capsicum, or any other veggies that you want really.

Enjoy!