Friday, March 12, 2010

Taco Tuesday (and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday)

A few weeks ago, I posted about my undying love for Butler's Soy Curls. I love to use those meaty dehydrated soy protein strips in my vegan quesadillas, but Thedalyn from The Palatial Palate suggested I try soy curls in the Courico Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa from Vegan Brunch:

Dude, I'm so glad I did. I'd seen this recipe before, but I'd never really read through it. I didn't realize it called for soy curls (with a suggestion of seitan as a substitution), but I'd been trying to think of new ways to put my new favorite faux meat to good use. Thankfully, the recipe made a ton — enough for 13 small tacos in corn tortillas! I made them on Tuesday night, and I'll be eating tacos everyday until Saturday. I don't really tire of eating the same thing when it's delicious.

These tacos have a tender, beefy base of chipotle-spiced soy curls and stewed tomatoes. A bit of red wine in the courico seasoning really brings out the umami flavor. The tacos are topped with a homemade grilled pineapple salsa (made from chopped fresh pineapple!). Unfortunately, I only have a crappy, ghetto charcoal grill. So I "grilled" my pineapples on the stove in a cast-iron skillet.

I served the tacos with Garden of Eatin Pico de Gallo chips and raw carrots with Newman's Own Black Bean & Corn Salsa (I love dipping carrots in salsa!):

Hey guys! Don't forget to enter the Primal Strips giveaway here. It's open until Wednesday.

19 comments:

Mary said...

Looks delicious! I've never had a soy curl...

Vegan In The VI said...

I've never had soy curls either. I'd love to try that recipe but making pineapple salsa sounds like a lot of work.

Trinity (of haiku tofu) said...

Yum! I love me some tacos. The pineapple salsa sounds like a dream.

Anonymous said...

I only have a ghetto charcoal grill, too, but it feels more fun to heat coals than turn on a gas canister. Ever looked into a grill pan? Changed my life when I didn't have outside space for a grill.

Your tacos look lovely! And it makes me wanna try soycurls :)

Leslie Richman said...

Yum yum!! I love pineapples with savory food.

miss v said...

i totally wish you were having a soy curl giveaway too, cause i've never had them!

Eileen said...

I've never had a soy curl either, but now I definitely want some grilled pineapple! of course, in brooklyn, I definitely don't have a grill! still...maybe on black bean, sweet potato, and chipotle tacos?

Amey said...

mmm, I really like that recipe! I have soy curls, but I don't use them all that often. However, now I feel like making tacos again! :)

thedalyn said...

I made those in the midst of snow storm recently, so the grill was out of the question. I used a cast iron stovetop grill pan, but you could also forgo the grilling altogether. It's (almost) just as good that way.

I'm so glad you liked them and so glad Isa worked her magic. It's the first time I've been blown away by a recipe in a while. Though I'm waiting to be blown away by some vegan crunk recipes sometime soon...

Christine (The Raw Project) said...

Mmmm, great tacos and I love the pineapple salsa!

Anonymous said...

Bianca! Those tacos look fantastico! I wish I could get my hands on some soy curls...and pineapple salsa? Yum!

The Voracious Vegan said...

As long as it is delicious I can eat the same thing every day with no problem. And these tacos look DELICIOUS! Really bright and fresh and oh so tasty.

T said...

I've bee wanting to try those too. Good to know that the pineapple salsa worked out well on stove top. Looks awesome!

kimberly said...

i love dipping carrots in salsa too!!!!!!!! it's soooo yummy!

jessy said...

everything about those tacos sounds awesome, Bianca! they look most fantastical and i'm gonna have to try dipping carrots in salsa. i love to dip them in ketchup, so i'm gonna have to give salsa a whirl, too. yay!

The Blissful Chef said...

This is hilarious because I've been eating tacos everyday lately. I've been using Viana vegan meats and they are SO tasty. I love pineapple on anything!

The Rockin' Vegan said...

Sounds ridiculously good! Have to seek out the soy curls when I get back to the states... Always looking for taco variations.

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

Mmm, soy curls. I need to make those tacos!

Laura said...

Just used soy curls for the first time in tacos! LIFE-CHANGING! I can't eat most chicken alternatives (gluten) so THANK YOU for opening up my eyes to this amazing product! I am going to put them in EVERYTHING.