Can I be a Vegetarian Day 5? Tex Mex Soft Vegetable Tacos

May 13, 2015

Today I record the 5th GTLF which means I've been a vegetarian for 7 days! I never thought I would be able to go that long without meat. Then I experienced these wonderful burritos. I don't know why they're called tacos, they look like burritos to me, but that's besides the point. These burritos overstuffed with a wonderful assortment of vegetables, beans and spices that make for an ultra quick dinner for the family that is low in calories and high in taste.

Tex Mex Soft Vegetables Tacos

Serves 4, working time 25 min., total time 25 min.

Four 8 in. low fat flour tortillas

1 1/2 tsp olive oil

1 red onion, slivered

1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced

1 1/2 C sliced mushrooms

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 C frozen corn kernels

2 tablespoons no salt added tomato paste

3/4 C mild or medium hot prepared salsa

15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

1/4 C shredded Cheddar cheese

1/4 C reduced fat sour cream

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wrap the tortillas in foil and place in the oven for 10 min., or until heated through.

2. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil until hot but not smoking over medium high heat. Add the onion, zucchini, and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and the mushrooms have released their juices, about 8 min. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, and corn and cook until fragrant, about 2 min. Sir in the tomato paste, salsa, black beans, and cilantro and cook until heated through, about 2 min.

3. Divide the tortillas among 4 plates. Spoon the vegetables down the center of the tortillas, sprinkle with the cheddar, and top with a dollop of sour cream. Roll up the tortillas, cut them in half if desired, and serve.

Nutritional Information: 9 g fat, 357 calories, 3 g sat. fat, 59 g carbohydrate, 14 g protein, 12 mg cholesterol, 717 mg sodium

Tips:

1. GTLF gives an interesting tip for grating cheese. They say if you spray the grater with nonstick cooking spray before shredding cheese will make it easier to clean the grater.

2. I have no idea how GTLF fits the entire portion of vegetables in the 8 in. tortilla for the photo. The portion is ample.

3. Keep your eyes open for low fat, 8 in. tortillas that taste good.  In the meantime, make the caloric adjustment for the number and size of tortillas you use.