Spicy Vegan Tacos

I have been looking for a great vegan taco meal that is cheap, but also healthy, filling, and flavorful.

Since I am in college, I was in need of a recipe that:

·Does not take much time to prepare

·Does not use ingredients that are expensive or hard to find

·I am able to prepare in bulk for the entire week

Because I am just cooking for myself, I have a difficult time finishing fruit and vegetables before they expire. By buying longer-lasting ingredients, I am able to save money and waste-free. However, if you prefer, you can substitute the frozen peppers and bottled lemon and lime juice I use for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Supplies

What you will need:

The rice:

• 1 cup Jasmine rice
• 1.5 cups water
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 3 tbs lime juice
• 2 tbs lemon juice

The "meat"

You will need 2/3 cup of your favorite meatless crumbles. I used Gardein Beefless Ground.

1/4 cup diced bell peppers

Seasoning:

• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbs onion powder
• 2 tbs ground cayenne pepper

Step 1: Rice

1. Rinse the rice.

Rinsing the rice removes excess starch. (If you do not rinse the rice, it will be gummy and clump together.)

2. Cook the rice.

Add water and rice to a pot. Stir the rice as it reaches a boil. (If you do not stir the rice, it will stick to the bottom of the pot.) Once it reaches a boil, lower the temperature to the lowest setting and cover for 25 minutes. I use this time to chop cilantro and prepare the ingredients for my tacos.

3. Add ingredients.

At the end of the 25 minutes, add cilantro, lemon, and lime juice to the rice. Combine the ingredients and remove from heat.

Step 2: Peppers and Seasoning

While my rice was cooking, I prepared my ingredients. It is important to prep before beginning the "meat," because it cooks very quickly.

1. Chop Peppers

I added stray cilantro flakes for added flavor

2. Prepare Seasoning

The cayenne adds a lot of spice. Feel free to use less if you do not like food extremely spicy.

Step 3: The "meat"

1. Put "meat" in a pan

2. Add a little water

I poured in approximately 2 tbs water. The amount of water you use is up to you. As it cooks, keep a cup of water next to you so you can slowly pour more in if it begins to stiffen.

3. Add peppers and seasoning

4. Cook & Stir! Stir! Stir!

Turn the oven on medium high heat. As it cooks, stir the peppers and seasoning around. Stir for 5 minutes. Constantly stirring will ensure that the "meat" is cooked evenly and every bite is flavorful.

Step 4: Eat Up!

Fill some taco shells with the "meat" and toppings of your choosing. Beans are a great choice because it adds protein to a vegan diet.

Use the rice to help fill up your tacos or just eat it on the side.

Enjoy!