healthy recipes, cooking technique + other practices for a life of vibrant energy.
 I remember the first time I heard about fish tacos. I was in college. Where I grew up in rural Kentucky, there was only one kind of taco: hard shell with ground beef and seasoning from a little packet. I couldn’t comprehend the idea of fish + taco. But things change. We grow and evolve. And as we do, so does our idea of a perfect taco. These days, I’ve seriously honed in on what’s necessary for me personally in a taco. Soft shell….mayo….fresh avocado…..crunchy cabbage + cilantro garnish. The filling is negotiable, as long as it’s healthy. Fish or vegetables, please. Going out for tacos these days usually means a compromise of my mostly grain free diet. A corn tortilla here and there is a sacrifice I am able to make for the cause. Life is short. Tacos are important. But at home, there is no need for compromise of any kind. A beautiful little family food business in Austin Texas has taken care of that. Siete Family Foods Almond Flour Tortillas are as close to regular flour tortillas as is possible. They perform beautifully warmed up until they’re just pliable or beyond, if you like, to crispy in a cast iron skillet (or any kind really.) They are also grain free + gluten free + dairy free + soy free. These tortillas have truly been a savior for me; so you will no doubt see them here again. I use them for breakfast with scrambled eggs and lunch for a sandwich wrap. So many possibilities! I wish there were more compassionate food companies like Siete around. Check out their family story and other products here.     Cooking in Parchment If you don't eat shrimp, you can make this same dish with any kind of fish, chicken or cubed vegetables. Whatever filling you choose for your tacos, you can follow the same directions for cooking in parchment paper. Cooking in parchment is brilliant and has become my default method for cooking protein. It's a forgiving technique, saving you from any tendency to overcook. The food steams in its juices and whatever citrus is enclosed. (Some kind of citrus should always be included.) And clean up is easy.   Avocado Cumin Aioli The art of pampering an avocado to peak ripeness is deserving of a dedicated blog post. (Click here.) And here, this is where you will want one that is ripe with bright neon green flesh, with no internal brown spots. Without the cumin and lime zest, this recipe is really a foundational mayonnaise substitute that can be transformed into all kinds of flavored sauces. If you love heat, consider adding a few drops of Sriracha or cayenne powder. Or pulse some cilantro leaves in for a cilantro aioli sauce. The possibilities are endless. Be sure to cover the avocado aioli at the surface with plastic wrap. This will preserve the color of avocado a bit longer than without; although admittedly this is not a very wide window of time either way. You will want to eat it within 24 hours and it will deepen in color, but should still taste fresh.  Brussels sprouts + leeks Cabbage is my favorite garnish for tacos. Brussels sprouts are tiny cabbages. You can substitute thinly shredded cabbage instead. It's not hard to find pre-prepped cabbage mix for coleslaw these days. I buy them often. Leeks are always paired with cabbage in my kitchen. I love their similar texture and color. Any leftovers Brussels + leeks can be stir-fried for a quick side dish. ____________________________________________________ The Recipe Shrimp Tacos + Avocado Cumin Aioli + Brussels sprout slaw + Almond Flour Tortillas Serves 2 to 4 people Taco Ingredients 1 pound medium size wild caught shrimp, uncooked and thawed 4 Siete Almond Flour Tortillas or tortilla of your choice Olive oil pan spray 2 Limes ½ teaspoon Sea Salt 1 teaspoon Black Pepper ½ pound Brussels Sprouts or half head of cabbage or pre-sliced coleslaw mix ½ large leek Handful cilantro leaves Parchment paper Avocado Cumin Aioli (recipe below) Shrimp Baked in Parchment 1. Preheat the oven to 425. 2. Line a cookie sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Spray with olive oil. 3. Lay the thawed shrimp in the middle of the parchment paper. 4. Slice one lime thinly and layer on top of the shrimp. 5. Season with sea salt and pepper. 6. Fold the long side of the parchment towards the middle and then tuck the ends under so the shrimp and limes are snug inside the parchment. 7. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. 8. Meanwhile, make the Avocado Cumin Mayo. Avocado Cumin Aioli 1 ripe avocado 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar ½ teaspoon raw organic agave or honey Juice of 1 small or ½ large lemon ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon mustard powder Zest of one lime (reserve the limes) ¼ teaspoon cumin Process all ingredients together in a food processor into a smooth paste. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Brussels + Leeks Slaw Cut the stems off the Brussels sprouts and thinly slice horizontally. Thinly slice the leeks to match the size of the Brussels sprouts (or cabbage). Toss them together.  Assembly Heat up a heavy duty saute pan and spray lightly with olive oil. One at a time, toast the tortillas as soft or crispy as you like. Assemble the tacos with the shrimp, Avocado Cumin Aioli, Brussels sprouts + leeks slaw and avocado slices. Garnish with cilantro leaves and fresh lime juice. Click below for a printable version of the recipe: 
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Authorprana is the common thread running through everything i love....the sun on my face...the sunlight through my camera.... breathing the ocean air... the sound of my breath...laughing with family + friends. A cookbook no cook should be withoutArchives
November 2018
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