Ultimate Vegan Tacos

🥘 Ingredients

• water 2 cup
• Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base 2 tsp
• soy curls 4 oz
• large ripe avocados total 15 oz
• freshly squeezed lime juice 1 ½ tbsp
• garlic cloves 2
• cilantro leaves and tender stems ½ cup
• ground cumin ½ tsp
• Kosher
• tamari or soy sauce 1 ½ tbsp
• cornstarch 2 tbsp
• avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil 3 ½ tbsp
• ancho or regular chili powder 1 ½ tsp
• ground cumin 1 tsp
• chipotle chili flakes 1 tsp
• dried oregano ½ tsp
• garlic powder ½ tsp
• onion powder ¼ tsp
• organic brown sugar 1 tsp
• flour tortillas or corn tortillas in diameter 8
• Salsa of choice or
• Lime

1. 1

   Gather: water , Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base , soy curls . For the simple guacamole: large ripe avocados total , freshly squeezed lime juice , garlic cloves , cilantro leaves and tender stems , ground cumin , Kosher salt or sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, tamari or soy sauce , cornstarch , avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil . For the taco seasoning (see notes 2 and 4): ancho or regular chili powder , ground cumin , chipotle chili flakes , dried oregano , garlic powder , onion powder , organic brown sugar , flour tortillas or corn tortillas in diameter . For the for serving:: Salsa of choice or , Lime wedges.
2. 2

   Heat the water and Better Than Bouillon in a medium saucepan until barely simmering, whisking to dissolve the BTB. Or, heat in the microwave until very warm.
3. 3

   If there are a lot of dusty soy curl crumbs, strain those in a fine mesh sieve, then measure them out.
4. 4

   Soak the soy curls: Add the soy curls to the hot broth and push down to submerge. Remove the pan from the burner. Soak for 10 minutes , stirring a few times throughout. Drain the soy curls in a colander and let cool off a bit.
5. 5

   While the soy curls soak, make the Simple Guacamole (and/or salsa of choice). Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl; keep 1 avocado pit for storage. Squeeze the lime juice on top of the avocado flesh. Add the garlic, cilantro, and cumin. Mash everything up with a fork until smooth but there are still some rough avocado chunks. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. 6

   Squeeze out the liquid from the soy curls (once they’re no longer super hot): Take one handful of soy curls and cup them between both hands. Positioned over the sink or a bowl, give one firm and long squeeze until the broth goes from a steady stream to droplets. Set aside on a cutting board and repeat. You should have squeezed out a fair amount of liquid ( timer 1/3 cup).
7. 7

   Slice the thicker soy curl pieces lengthwise so they’re timer inch (6 mm) wide (or just roughly chop them), as this helps the soy curls crisp up more and cook evenly. NOTE: If short on time, skip this step.
8. 8

   Batter the soy curls: To the soy curls in the bowl, add 1/2 tbsp of tamari, then toss with your hands or a silicone spatula. Add another 1/2 tbsp tamari and toss again. Add the last 1/2 tbsp of tamari and toss well. Then, add the cornstarch and several cracks of pepper, and toss again until well-coated.
9. 9

   Pan-fry the soy curls: Heat a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat with 2 tbsp of oil for 2 minutes . Once shimmering, add the soy curls and stir to coat in the oil. Stir every 2 minutes, stirring closer to every 90 seconds toward the end of cooking, until browned and crisp on the outside, for a total of 10 to 12 minutes.
10. 10

    While the soy curls are cooking, temper the Taco Seasoning (see Note 4). Mix together all the ingredients for the Taco Seasoning in a small bowl. Heat your smallest saucepan over medium heat with 1 1/2 tbsp of oil. After a minute or two, or once shimmering, add the Taco Seasoning. Stir almost constantly for 30 seconds , or until very aromatic. Immediately take off the heat and pour into a medium bowl to cool slightly.
11. 11

    Once the soy curls are done pan-frying, transfer to the bowl with the tempered Taco Seasoning and toss to coat the soy curls. Taste, adding a pinch of salt as needed.
12. 12

    Warm the tortillas: Heat your frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes. Add a couple tortillas and heat until warm and they puff up a bit; repeat. Or, simply warm in the microwave.
13. 13

    Assemble: Spread some Simple Guacamole onto each tortilla: top with seasoned soy curls, and salsa of choice (using a slotted spoon if there’s a lot of liquid). Serve with lime wedges to squeeze on top.