Lentil Soft Tacos with a Creamy Avocado Lime Sauce

All of the taste with none of the meat!

A vegetarian's dreeaaammm!!! These lentil tacos are absolutely amazing and bursting with flavor. Read below for the recipe and nutrition information!

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Recipe Information:

• Makes 6-8 mini soft tacos

• Preparation time: 20 minutes

• Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

For the lentils:

• 1 cup (dry) whole green lentils

• 3 cups water

• 2 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 1/2 tsp chili powder

• 1 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

• 1/3 cup mild salsa verde

• 2 Tbsp Trader Joe’s Spicy Taco Sauce (sub a red salsa or extra salsa verde + seasonings!)

For the avocado lime sauce:

• 1 avocado

• 1 Tbsp diced jalapeño, de-seeded

• 1 Tbsp plain Greek yogurt

• 2 Tbsp lime juice

• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

• 4 Tbsp water

• 1 garlic clove

• A dash of salt

For the tacos + toppings:

(adjust amounts according to amount of tacos!)

• Mini corn tortillas

• Shredded iceberg lettuce

• Diced tomato

• Diced red onion

• Diced jalapeño, de-seeded

Recipe:

For the lentils:

1. Rinse lentils thoroughly. Add 1 cup lentils and 3 cups water to a large sauce pan. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to a low simmer. Let simmer, covered, for 20-25 minutes, until lentils are very soft.

2. Drain excess liquid from lentils and add in all seasonings, salsa, and Trader Joe’s Spicy Taco Sauce. Stir thoroughly.

3. Using an immersion blender (or sub with a normal blender), blend the lentils until a paste is formed. Some lumps and bumps are totally fine! The texture should be similar to refried beans. Stir thoroughly while blending to ensure spices are evenly distributed. Let sit on very low heat to keep warm and stir frequently!

For the avocado lime sauce:

1. In a blender, combine avocado, greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, water, jalapeño, garlic clove, and a dash of salt. Blend until well combined.

For the tacos:

1. Grill corn tortillas on the stove top until warm, golden brown, and slightly crispy.

2. Layer lentil mixture on tortillas (about 2-3 spoonfuls). Top with lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado lime sauce, and jalapeño. Enjoy!

Check out a video of this recipe!

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Nutrition:

These plant-based tacos are full of fiber & other nutrients!

• Green lentils: lentils are high in polyphenols, which are plant compounds that have antioxidant activity and are linked to prevention of chronic diseases! Lentils are also a great source of potassium, fiber, and folate.

• Corn tortillas: whole grains!!!!! Eating at least 3 servings of whole grains per day has SO many health benefits, including lowering your risk for Type 2 Diabetes, lowering cholesterol, and lowering triglycerides. Whole grains also give your body energy and help with blood glucose control. They're overall essential for a healthy diet! Corn tortillas are also great for digestion, brain function, and heart health due to their high fiber and magnesium content!

• Avocado: HEART HEALTHY FATS!! Avocado contains lots of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (MUFAs and PUFAs), which reduce cholesterol and triglycerides.

• Jalapeño: jalapeños contain an antioxidant called carotene, which fights damage to the cells. They also contain antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, helping to keep us healthy by slowing the growth of bacteria and infections. Jalapeños are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, as well.