My Plant-Based Family

Feeding My Family a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet, On a Budget

Mexican Food

Vegan and Gluten-Free Taco Muffins

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I love Tacos! There, I said it. I’m willing to bet that you love tacos too. What I don’t like is the mess my kids make every time they eat them. These Vegan and Gluten-Free Taco Muffins may just be the solution we’ve all be looking for.

If you’ve ever tried my Lentil Tacos then you will see where I’m going with these delicious, hearty muffins. Before you start doubting Taco Muffins let me ask you, have you ever had meat loaf or a faux beanie loaf? Taco Muffins are not that far of a stretch. You can even use a mini loaf or a full loaf pan but I haven’t tried it, yet.

Vegan Taco Muffins

I want to make sure you understand from the beginning that these are savory, taco flavored muffins. My teenage son that I was just being clever and had quite a shock when he took the first bite. I don’t know what he was expecting but he couldn’t stop eating them. My 3 year old devoured most of them over 2 days. I had to cut him off. I got a couple and put one in the freezer to experiment.

taco muffins gluten free and vegan

Taco Muffins (gluten-free and vegan)

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Brown Rice Flour
  • 1/2 cup Potato Flour
  • 1/2 cup Tapioca Flour
  • 1 tsp xanthum gum
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp each of garlic powder, sea salt, onion powder and cumin
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened plant milk
  • 1/2 to 1 cup water
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • Lentil Mix (1 1/2 cup cooked lentils; 1 tsp each of garlic powder, sea salt, onion powder; and 1/2 tsp cumin)

Do

  1. Preheat oven to 350° and prepare muffin pan. I spray with a light coat of spray oil.
  2. In a small/medium bowl make Lentil Mix by combining lentils and spices together then set aside.
  3. In a large bowl mix flours, xanthum gum, spices, baking soda and baking powder and mix.
  4. In a separate bowl or large measuring cup mix liquids.
  5. Pour liquids into dry ingredients and stir with a sturdy spoon. Add more liquid as needed. Mine was clumpy so I used a potato masher to help.
  6. Spoon in a small amount of batter into muffin tin, just enough to cover the bottom.
  7. Then dump the Lentil Mix into the remaining batter in the mixing bowl and stir well. Continue filling muffin cups.
  8. Bake for 25 minutes.

Serve these muffins while slightly warm, or straight out of the fridge if you have leftovers. They are equally good the next day and don’t need anything added. These are perfect for lunch boxes or to take to soccer games.

I haven’t tried making wheat versions yet but it’s not my list. I think you could also use a gluten-free flour mix if you don’t have these flours available.

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Green Chili White Bean Dip

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I’ve been selfishly keeping this Green Chili White Bean Dip to myself. Today is the day I set it free! It’s made with pantry staples so if you have nothing in the fridge you can still make this dip. I think it is “guilt-free” so if you end up eating the whole bowl with a spoon there is no harm done.

Green Chili white bean dip

Green Chili White Bean Dip

Ingredients

  • 1 can of white beans, drained and rinsed (I used Great Northern beans)
  • 1 (4 oz) can of diced green chilies
  • 1 tsp salt (optional, and you may want to taste before using)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • cilantro (optional)

Do

  1. Pour beans, chilies, and seasonings into a blender or food processor.
  2. Blend until smooth, add a little water if needed.
  3. Taste, add extra seasonings if desired.

Serve

I devoured this dip with tortillas, pita bread, veggies, tortilla chips and homemade Pico de Gallo.

You could also eat the Green Chili White Bean Dip as a sandwich or wrap spread. I finished it off with a spoon though, it is just that good!

This tip would be perfect for a potluck!

I also wanted to invite you all to join a brand new Facebook group for our community. The My Plant-Based Family Group is a group for anyone interested in plant-based living. Discussion, questions and encouragement are welcome! Click HERE to join!

Pico de Gallo

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I love homemade salsa and I make several different varieties but most of the time the simplicity and ease of Pico de Gallo win out. If you are not familiar with Pico de Gallo, it is almost like a raw, chunky version of salsa and uses similar ingredients. Salsa on the other hand is much more liquid, soupy even.

Admittedly I used to buy Pico de Gallo in the deli or produce section but those are usually full of chemicals and kinda pricy. If your family deals with multiple food allergies you can play it safe by making your own Pico de Gallo at home to avoid cross-contamination.

I top almost everything with Pico de Gallo because I can make in a few minutes and only need a knife and cutting board.

Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes (I use about 3 Roma tomatoes)
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1 diced jalapeno (remove seeds if you want it less spicy)
  • optional ingredients include 2-3 cloves of minced garlic, salt to taste and juice from a lemon or lime

Do

  1. Dice tomatoes, onions and jalapenos and mix together in a bowl.
  2. Add any optional ingredients like garlic, salt, and lime juice.

Serve

Spoon Pico de Gallo onto baked potatoes, taco salads, tacos, burritos or wraps, soups, beans or grains. I also like to top my White Enchiladas, Tostadas, Mexican Casserole with Pico de Gallo. My latest recipe Bean and Potato Burritos is perfected when topped with Pico de Gallo. I have two new recipes coming up that are great on their own but pair well with Pico de Gallo.

Pico de gallo and white bean dip

Are you a salsa or Pico de Gallo fan? Do you make them yourself or buy them at the store?

Cilantro Lime Quinoa

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Do you want to know two words that make me swoon? Well I can think of several words but the two I’m referring to are cilantro and lime! I love them both but paired together they can take any dish to a new level. I’ve used the lime juice in the plastic lime and frozen cilantro and it was good but nothing compares to using fresh limes and fresh cilantro.

cilantro lime quinoa

I think the biggest reason is the fresh lime zest. My favorite zester is the Better Zester, it has a zest “catcher” that also measures the amount of zest. I’ve scraped off with zest off with a knife but my zester makes it much easier. I have more recipes coming that use a zester as well, here is a hint: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Lemon, Cake. I don’t want to be too obvious. 🙂

Cilantro Lime Quinoa

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked quinoa
  • 3 1/2 cups of water (you may need a little more, have 4 cups available)
  • 2 limes (you’ll use about 1 Tbsp zest and 1/4 cup lime juice)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (optional)
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup cilantro

Do

  1. Rinse your quinoa well then cook it in a pot with 3 1/2 cups of water over medium heat. Cover with a lid.
  2. While the quinoa is cooking zest limes then squeeze the juice into a cup or bowl. You will want to remove any seeds the squeeze out. Also chop cilantro, I prefer to use only the leaves because I don’t like using the stems. Set all of this (zest, juice, cilantro) to the side.
  3. After about 15 minutes check on the quinoa. When it is mostly done and all of the water has been absorbed pour the lime juice, zest and cilantro into the pot (add salt if desired) and stir well. Cover with the lid and let it cook for about 5 more minutes. Use more water if needed.

Serve

I love Cilantro Lime Quinoa with Unfried Black Beans and fresh salsa but you can use your imagination. If you think the quinoa is drying out too fast feel free to use more water, I thought it soaked up the lime juice better by using less. This recipe is difficult to mess up.

This post is shared at Plant-Based Potluck Party Link Up

White Enchiladas

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Green Chili “White” Enchiladas
white enchiladas

There’s a little Mexican restaurant in Oklahoma that makes incredible enchiladas. Unfortunately they are chicken enchiladas covered in cheese sauce. Even after we moved to Arizona we would travel to Oklahoma once a year and eat at that restaurant everyday of our visit.

After we changed to a plant-based diet we still ate at that restaurant, in lieu of my usual, I would order veggie fajitas but those creamy enchiladas called to me.

I’m not one to let dietary restrictions get in my way so I created these creamy Green Chili White Enchiladas. The Green Chili is optional but I enjoy the flavor and so do my kids. I used one 4 oz can of dice green chilies. You could easily double the green chilies for more flavor.

white enchiladas

White Enchiladas

Ingredients (for enchiladas)

  • 3 or 4 cups cooked white beans
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt (optional)
  • 2 oz. of diced green chilies (optional)
  • soft corn tortillas

Do

  1. Puree white beans in a food processor with spices and optional green chilies. Add a few tablespoons of water if needed to get a “chicken salad” like consistency.
  2. Spread tortillas out in a layer then spread the puréed white beans over them.
  3. Next spread a layer of sauce (recipe below) and repeat all of the layers until you run out of ingredients ending with a layer of sauce on top.
  4. Bake in an oven preheated to 350° for 20 to 30 minutes.

 

White Sauce

Ingredients

  •  3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 4 Tbsp brown rice flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 cups rice milk
  • 2 oz diced green chilies

Do

  1. Pour the dry ingredients into a skillet and allow them to cook until they begin to toast. You can stir, I prefer to shake the pan, so nothing sticks or starts to burn.
  2. Pour the milk and whisk well.
  3. Alternate whisking and scrapping with a silicon spatula regularly as it thickens.
  4. Carefully taste the sauce, consider adding extra nutritional yeast for a cheesier flavor or more garlic or salt as desired.

A few notes about this dish…

I made this in a 9×9 casserole dish, if using a 9×15 you will want to double the recipe. I used 4 cups of beans in the 9×9 dish and had about a cup leftover but it really depends on how thick each later is.

You can omit the green chilies all together if you are not a fan, or you can double them or substitute your favorite salsa.

These enchiladas can be rolled like the enchiladas you typically order in a restaurant however corn tortillas are pretty fragile and since I no longer dip them in oil (yuck, I used to do that when making enchiladas) they tear easily. I find it quicker to just layer my ingredients instead of rolling them.

You can add additional veggies. I recommend diced onions, chopped cilantro, tomatoes and peppers.

I use brown rice flour because it is gluten-free. You could use wheat flour or a different flour of your choice. The flour acts as a thickener and makes this sauce nice a creamy.

If you live in an omni household and have to cook meat for your family, this recipe can easily be adapted. I recommend you make them as written but divide them into two separate pans, add small amounts of chicken to the pan for the omni members. These enchiladas are so full of protein and fiber on their own they wont really miss it but you will be able to call them “chicken enchiladas” and make your family happy.

This sauce is pretty amazing on its own and would be delicious on rice or noodles, you may want to omit the green chilies though.

Are you an enchilada fan? Do you prefer red, green or white?

Plant-Based Tostadas

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Raise your hands if you love a good Tostada! Plant-Based Tostadas are an easy and family friendly recipe you need to add to your meal plan!

Plant-Based Tostadas are a fun and easy meal idea. Kids love tostadas and they are healthy too.

 

Plant-Based Tostadas

I rediscovered the Tostada when we learned my son had a wheat/gluten allergy. Tostadas are made with corn tortillas (but always read your labels) so they were safe for him.

Tostadas are:

  • Easy to make
  • Customizable
  • Allergy-friendly
  • Inexpensive
  • Delicious
  • Kid’s love them

Plant-Based Tostadas

We are always changing up our Plant-Based Tostadas! Sure we need a crispy tortilla and beans but sometimes we used Instant Pot Refried Beans and other times we use Refried Black Beans. Lettuce and tomatoes are usual staples but sometimes we add Pico de Gallo, when the garden is growing we will make Oven Roasted Salsa. A fun addition is Mango Salsa!

Basically, anything goes and you can use what you have! 

Plant-Based Tostadas

Ingredients

  • Soft Corn Tortillas (or buy the crispy tostada tortillas)
  • Unfried Pinto or Unfried Black Beans (store-bought refried beans can be used but read the label)
  • Shredded Lettuce
  • Dice Tomato
  • Salsa (optional)

Do

  1. If using soft corn tortillas, preheat oven to 350° and place tortillas on cookie sheet (I use parchment paper on my cookie sheet).
  2. Bake tortillas for 15 minutes then remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes until you can handle them. They may not feel crisp but they will get crispier as they cool. Leftover tortillas can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
  3. Spread beans onto tortillas. I prefer the Unfried Black Beans. Top with lettuce, tomato and any other toppings you prefer.

Serve

These are great as an afternoon snack but also good for lunch or dinner. If serving as a meal I highly recommend making Mexican Rice. Tostadas are so simple that many kids could assemble them without much help and would be a fun party food.

Plant-Based Tostadas

 

How do you top your tostadas? 

Plant-Based Tostadas

Plant-Based Tostadas

Plant-Based Tostadas are an easy and family-friendly recipe you need to add to your plant-based meal plan!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • Soft Corn Tortillas (or buy the crispy tostada tortillas)
  • Oil-Free Refried Beans
  • Shredded Lettuce
  • Diced Tomato
  • Salsa, peppers, your favorite toppings (optional)

Instructions

  1. If using soft corn tortillas, preheat oven to 350° and place tortillas on cookie sheet (I use parchment paper on my cookie sheet).
  2. Bake tortillas for 15 minutes then remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes until you can handle them. They may not feel crisp but they will get crispier as they cool. Leftover tortillas can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
  3. Spread beans onto tortillas in a thick layer.
  4. Add lettuce, tomato, and any other topping you will enjoy.

Notes

You can use canned beans to save time. One 15 ounce can of fat free refried beans is enough for about 4 people or 8 tostadas. You may been to add some water to the canned beans to get them smooth enough to spread.

Did you make this recipe?

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© Holly Yzquierdo