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Celebrate Taco Tuesday by building your own taco bar with this quick and easy recipe. The filling—a combination of lentils, refried beans, and seasonings—takes only about 20 minutes to make, and while it’s simmering, you can set the table with all your favorite taco fixings. Leftovers make a great next-day lunch rolled into tortillas or piled onto a big tossed salad. Prep tip: Wear gloves and be careful not to rub your face when working with fresh hot chiles, which contain a spicy, burning compound that can stick to your skin.

From The Engine 2 Cookbook

By Rip Esselstyn and Jane Esselstyn, RN,

Ingredients

  • 2 large sweet onions, chopped (2 cups)
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
  • ½ fresh jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups cooked brown lentils or two (15-ounce) cans lentils, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can fat-free vegetarian refried beans
  • 1 cup vegetable stock or water, plus more as needed
  • ¼ cup reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix
  • 12 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
  • Toppings such as shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, red onion, avocado, fresh cilantro, and salsa or taco sauce

Instructions

  1. Combine the onions, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic in a large skillet. Cook over high heat until tender, stirring occasionally and adding water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, as needed to prevent sticking.
  2. Stir in the lentils, refried beans, stock, and taco seasoning mix. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes or until slightly thick, adding up to 1 cup more stock to reach the desired consistency.
  3. Serve the lentil mixture in tortillas with toppings.
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Sharon9 months ago
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This is a definite winner in my house..

Natasha10 months ago
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So simple! I will be making these tonight and serving with fresh pico de gallo.

Mel11 months ago
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A simple, delicious recipe that’s super easy to put together – great for hot Australian summers! This has been a staple weekend treat for my partner and I for a few years now. Thanks so much 🙂

Maria ONeill2 years ago
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Looking forward to making this!

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Rip Esselstyn and Jane Esselstyn, RN

Rip and Jane Esselstyn, the children of Caldwell Esselstyn, MD, are a brother-sister team dedicated to educating others about the benefits of a plant-based diet. Rip was a firefighter in the Austin Fire Department when he discovered dangerously high cholesterol levels among his firefighter comrades and led a stationwide dietary revolution that resulted in markedly better health, which he detailed in his bestselling book, The Engine 2 Diet. Jane is a wellness instructor and a plant-strong presenter and cook. She co-authored The Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook with her mother, Ann, and developed recipes for My Beef with Meat. Rip and Jane brought together their years of experience to co-author The Engine 2 Cookbook. Find Rip and Jane on Instagram.

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