Quinoa Taco "Meat" (Soy-Free!!!)

I have been on a Tex-Mex kick in the past weeks, if you have not noticed, however I was getting tired of just plain old beans and rice. I wanted something with more texture and flavour. After a few hours, here and there, searching how to make my own "meat" at home I got a little discouraged. There are a ton of options, but all heavily dependent on soy or tofu and that was something I did not want. Eventually I found a recipe using quinoa here. She used nuts and a blender and an oven, it seemed very labour intensive. What this recipe did do was inspire the one I am sharing with you today. You only need a stove-top, pot, quinoa, some extra ingredients and you have a soy free meat sub for any of your meatless needs.

• Shopping List
• 1/4 Cup Uncooked Quinoa
• 2 Cups Water
• 1 TSP Unsalted Butter
• 1 TBSP Chili Powder
• 1 TSP Cumin
• 1 TSP Tomato Paste
• 1 TSP Oregano
• 1 TSP Onion Powder
• 1/4 TSP Cayenne Powder

Hardware

Pot w/ Lid

Strainer

Measuring Cup, TBSP and TSP

Stir Spoon

Time 45 Minutes
Prep 0 Minutes
Cook 20 Minutes
Yield 1 1/2 Cup Filling/ 6 Servings

Time To Get Cooking!!!

Mix together spices

Drop butter to pot and let melt and bubble

Add in quinoa until it begins to pop, takes about 3 minutes
Stir in water, tomato paste and spices

Put on lid pot and let cook for 20 minutes on medium to medium high heat.
You will need to check half way through to stir to make sure it is not sticking to the bottom of the pot

When time is up, remove lid and begin stirring
Stirring quinoa and fold in on itself for about 3 minutes to dry it out
Remove from heat and use

Serving
1/4 Cup for whatever is needed, use in tacos, enchiladas, taco salad and pretty much everything else

Storing and Reheating
Make sure to place in a zip-top or storage container with a lid in fridge for up 1 week. Do not reccomnet storing in freezer. Reheat throughout as needed.

Nutritional Information
Calories 32
Fat 1g
Carbs 5g
Protein 1g

Cost Information
Recipe Cost:$0.40
Cost Per Serving:$0.07

Tricks
-If you would like to have a drier substitute you can let it dry out in the fridge. Simply leave the lid off of the storage container and check occasionally in 24 hours to keep it from clumping.

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