Taquito Tuesday! "Fatty Taquitos" + Warm Mexi Kale Salad & Plantains.

I made this meal a few weeks ago and fell in love. I will definitely be making it again. Soon! Maybe tonight. #TaquitoTuesday

I lovingly call these tortilla spirals stuffed with yummy-amazing ingredients, Fatty Taquitos. A baked, over-stuffed version of the beloved Mexican appetizer dish "taquitos."

I paired these delicious bites with a warm Mexican Kale Salad and some slices of sauteed plantains - one of my favorite side dishes ever. Sweet, tender plantains with crisp caramelized edges accent the spiced, fresh salad and hearty fatty taquitos perfectly. Taquito makeover meal accomplished!..

(Side Note) ONE WEEK guys! #excited

Plantains. love.

Nicely filled. Not too much, not too little..

Pair with some sunny pumpkin seed guacamole if you'd like..

I love taquitos, but there are a few problems with making them into a meal..

1. They are usually fried.
2. They are usually quite skinny with very minimal "filling."
3. Usually the filling includes things like cheese and even meat. Not terribly vegan-friendly, let alone entree friendly.

So I made a few minor changes, added a delish Mexican Kale Salad and suddenly my beloved guilt-infused fried appetizer turned into a healthy meal!
Sauteed Plantains
vegan, makes 1 cup plantain slices

1 large plantain, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon maple or agave syrup
1 tablespoon sunflower or safflower oil (or use vegan butter/Earth Balance for a buttery flavor)
pinch of salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions: Over high heat, warm oil and add plantains. Saute for 1 minute. Flip plantains and add sweetener and spices. Cook for another 1-2 minutes or until the edges begin to blacken. Remove from pan and cool on a side plate.

Warm Mexican Kale Salad
vegan, makes 2 cups

1 bunch kale, thick stems removed, washed/torn into small bits
⅓ cup diced tomato
⅓ cup diced onion
½ avocado, diced
½ teaspoon chipotle spice
salt + pepper to taste
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon sunflower or safflower oil

Directions:

1. After you saute the plantain, leave the excess oil/sweetener in the pan (do not clean pan after plantains - this adds much flavor to the kale.) Add another ½-1 teaspoon oil and heat pan over high heat.
2. When pan is hot, add the torn kale to the pan, rub the kale into the oil/pan to coat the leaves a bit in the flavor. You can flip the kale around a bit. Cover pan with lid. Allow to cook/steam for about one minute. You just want to slightly wilt and toast the kale. You do not want it to be soggy, but still springy after a quick warming. Remove cover. Flip kale leaves a bit and add the tomato and onion and spices. Toss well.
3. Remove kale and veggies from heat. Add the avocado and lime juice and toss a bit to evenly distribute flavors.
4. Set aside and plate with finished taquitos.

Fatty Taquitos
vegan, serves 2-3

6 medium tortillas (any variety)
½ cup warmed refried beans, vegan
1 spicy vegan sausage OR vegan soy-rizo (optional)
½ cup sauteed plantains
¼ cup kale
¼ cup sliced onions
¼ cup diced tomato
2-3 tablespoon harissa or salsa
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or sunflower oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, line a baking sheet and spray with oil to grease.

2. Warm your beans and prep your veggies if needed. (I used leftover veggies from my salad prep.

3. Fill each tortilla with whatever you'd like - but don't be stingy with toppings! You want to add enough so that each taquito has hearty fillings, but not so many that you cannot roll the tortillas. The beans help to keep the other toppings in place. You can also add guacamole, rice, other veggies and more...

4. Roll each taquito and rub the outside of the tortilla with oil. Place on your baking sheet. Continue until all tortillas are filled and rolled.

5. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the edges begin to brown and become toasty and crisp.

6. Cool, slice and serve with plantains and kale salad.