Super quick Build your own Taco bar

[wildsun]

I know it's no big revelation that tacos are quick and easy, but it's a favorite of my meat eating family, so I make it a lot for when they come over. I was so impressed with myself when I threw it all together in like 20 minutes that I had to share. 

I put the rice on first since it takes the longest to cook. We like Mahatma Spanish Rice, Old El Paso Spanish Rice or Viso Mexican Rice with corn.

I heat two bags of Morningstar Farms griller crumbles (for larger groups, 1 for just the family), add Old El Paso seasoning mix and the juice from a can of Rotel Tomatoes (I have to get Mild for my spice-fearing family, I prefer something hotter). 

Heat a can of refried beans (I leave it thick personally, lazy, I know).

I set up a buffet style serving line, with cute serving dishes with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, the Rotel tomatoes, olives, taco sauce and the rice, beans, and "taco meat." We always put out hard shell tacos, burrito wrappers, and either chips or those cute taco salad hard shell bowls for taco salad.

It's always a huge hit! My 73 year old grandmother always shoves her burrito so full it won't fold! It's easy and fun, especially for kids to be able to decided how they want theirs made. 

[rkoloms]

If you would like to avoid the GMOs from Morningstar, try this:

LENTIL TACOS
Ingredients
1 cup dried brown lentils, rinsed
8 ounce can tomato sauce (or homemade)
corn tortillas (for fun, use a mix of white, yellow and blue)
1 packet dry taco seasoning mix (or make your own with the recipe below)
handful of textured soy protein, optional (I leave this out)
lettuce (shredded)
cucumber (seeded, peeled, sliced)
tomatoes (chopped)
lemon or lime wedges (optional)
Directions
Cover the lentils with water in a large saucepan. They expand tremendously so use a large pot. Add tomato sauce, textured soy protein, and taco seasoning. Bring to high heat until boiling. Simmer at low heat until the mixture thickens. Add more water if necessary and stir often so that the bottom does not burn. This process will take about an hour. You want to cook it until it's about the consistency of cooked oatmeal. Taste the mixture and add more seasonings if necessary. Add more textured soy protein if you want more texture and continue to heat until the textured soy protein is fully hydrated. In the meantime, heat the corn tortillas in the oven, directly on the oven rack for about 5 minutes at 350 degrees.
Assemble the tacos as desired. Squeeze the lemon wedges over the tacos... yum!!
This recipe makes a large quantity and is very flexible with the garnishes. Experiment by adding chopped avocado, cilantro, onion, etc. I prefer these without salsa since the taco filling has so much flavor on its own. Enjoy!!
Taco Seasoning:
4.5 tsp. paprika;
1 tsp. cumin powder;
0.5 tsp. oregano;
1 tsp. chili powder;
1 tsp. onion powder;
0.25 tsp. lemon powder (optional, I've never used it);
1 tsp. salt;
1 tsp. sugar;
0.5 tsp. garlic powder;
1 tsp. flour;
0.5 tsp. cocoa powder
Mix all together and store in airtight container. Makes approx. 4 tablespoonful - the equivalent of 1 package of seasoning (enough to season 1 pound of meat or a substitute). This mix is very mild, I add cayenne

 

NOTE: I add a mashed sweet potato to the lentils, and I have been using the Trader Joes taco seasoning; it is fantastic!!

[Cooper1220]

Both sound yummy. The make your own taco seasoning sounds so easy. I hate using the package but will sometimes because I don't know what else to do. I think I can actually handle that!

[wildsun]

Quoting Cooper1220:

Both sound yummy. The make your own taco seasoning sounds so easy. I hate using the package but will sometimes because I don't know what else to do. I think I can actually handle that!

I typically don't use the seasoning mix, I prefer to customize it, but I was too lazy to list off all the spices I use and in what quantity, haha. 

[Cooper1220]

Ahh can't give away all of your secrets :-)

[kisser1021]

If you mash garbanzo beans, then add the taco seasoning, you get a pretty low cost protein.  And they are really yummy!

[ElectraSpy]

Adding to my list :-)

[Gen2Penguin]

Quoting rkoloms:

If you would like to avoid the GMOs from Morningstar, try this:

LENTIL TACOS
Ingredients
1 cup dried brown lentils, rinsed
8 ounce can tomato sauce (or homemade)
corn tortillas (for fun, use a mix of white, yellow and blue)
1 packet dry taco seasoning mix (or make your own with the recipe below)
handful of textured soy protein, optional (I leave this out)
lettuce (shredded)
cucumber (seeded, peeled, sliced)
tomatoes (chopped)
lemon or lime wedges (optional)
Directions
Cover the lentils with water in a large saucepan. They expand tremendously so use a large pot. Add tomato sauce, textured soy protein, and taco seasoning. Bring to high heat until boiling. Simmer at low heat until the mixture thickens. Add more water if necessary and stir often so that the bottom does not burn. This process will take about an hour. You want to cook it until it's about the consistency of cooked oatmeal. Taste the mixture and add more seasonings if necessary. Add more textured soy protein if you want more texture and continue to heat until the textured soy protein is fully hydrated. In the meantime, heat the corn tortillas in the oven, directly on the oven rack for about 5 minutes at 350 degrees.
Assemble the tacos as desired. Squeeze the lemon wedges over the tacos... yum!!
This recipe makes a large quantity and is very flexible with the garnishes. Experiment by adding chopped avocado, cilantro, onion, etc. I prefer these without salsa since the taco filling has so much flavor on its own. Enjoy!!
Taco Seasoning:
4.5 tsp. paprika;
1 tsp. cumin powder;
0.5 tsp. oregano;
1 tsp. chili powder;
1 tsp. onion powder;
0.25 tsp. lemon powder (optional, I've never used it);
1 tsp. salt;
1 tsp. sugar;
0.5 tsp. garlic powder;
1 tsp. flour;
0.5 tsp. cocoa powder
Mix all together and store in airtight container. Makes approx. 4 tablespoonful - the equivalent of 1 package of seasoning (enough to season 1 pound of meat or a substitute). This mix is very mild, I add cayenne

 

NOTE: I add a mashed sweet potato to the lentils, and I have been using the Trader Joes taco seasoning; it is fantastic!!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! THAT SOUNDS SOOOOO GOOD!!! I AM STARVING NOW! lol