Vegetarian Tacos Recipe

This veggie “meat” is amazing, and this recipe comes from a cookbook I received when I was 12, so it’s probably one of the very first meals I could cook all on my own. TVP, or texturized vegetable protein is a soy flour product that can be bought at various bulk stores. It’s dry, but when you add spices and flour it bears a very close resemblance to ground beef. I even managed to trick my sister with this one when I was younger. Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups TVP
• 3-4 tsp spices (chili powder, thyme, red pepper flakes)
• 1.5 c + ½ c of boiling water or vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste
• 2 tsp hot sauce
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed or diced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• tortillas or taco shells and toppings

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl mix the TVP with the spices.
2. Add 1.5 c of boiling water and stir
3. Add in the ketchup and hot sauce, stirring to combine. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, adding in the remaining ½ cup of boiling water and stirring occasionally.
4. Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until browned
5. Reduce the heat a bit and add in the TVP mixture and the soy sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Scoop about 1/3 cup onto a tortilla and top with your favourite toppings.

My personal favourite topping choices include avocado, cheese, black beans, corn, jalepenos, and lettuce.