Viva La Fiesta Vegetarian Taco Salad

 

August 1st marks the first day of Fiesta in Santa Barbara. Fiesta is a week filled with flamenco dancers, carnivals, parades, and food celebrating our town's Spanish heritage. 

 

Today B played hooky from preschool and we hit the carnival for some much anticipated confetti eggs and the girls' first churro. The eggs were promptly smashed on sissy's head. I'm sure I'll be finding confetti in the bottom of my purse for weeks. Months maybe.

Since we were in the Spanish spirit, I decided a festive healthy dinner was in order. Oh, and it had to be quick and easy, because Fiesta is kind of exhausting. Vegetarian taco salad was the answer. I sauteed some onions until sweet and tender with cubed tempeh, and sweet corn. Then I stirred in just a little taco seasoning and a can of kidney beans. I used this "taco" mixture to top romaine lettuce, and garnished it with avocado, tomato, white cheddar cheese, and cilantro. Delicioso! The girls liked scooping the mixture up with their chips.

Viva la fiesta!

Vegetarian Taco Salad
printer friendly recipe 
 
Serves 6

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 ears corn, kernels cut off 
8 oz. tempeh, cubed (found next to the refrigerated soy products)
1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon taco seasoning (this is the amount of heat my family can handle, add more to your taste)
8 oz. romaine lettuce salad
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes 
1/4 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lime, sliced for garnish (optional)
1 bag tortilla chips 
favorite salad dressing

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and saute until starting to brown, about 7 minutes. Add corn kernels and tempeh, and saute another 2 minutes, or until corn is tender. Add beans,  taco seasoning and 1 tablespoon water and saute another minute. Remove from heat and let cool slightly or until room temperature.

Place lettuce in a large serving bowl. Pile tempeh mixture on top. Arrange avocado, tomatoes, cheese, and cilantro on top of tempeh mixture. Garnish with lime wedges and serve with chips and dressing.