Spicy Bean Taco Filling Recipes

SPICY BLACK BEAN TACOS

Steps:

• In a large frying pan, heat the oil and add the garlic. Fry until golden, then add the beans. Pour in the cider vinegar, honey and spices along with 1 tsp or more of salt, to taste. Cook until warmed through, crushing gently with the back of your wooden spoon, then set aside.
• The best way to make the guacamole is with a large stone pestle and mortar, but you can use a medium bowl and a flat-ended rolling pin instead. Crush the garlic, coriander and chilli into a rough paste. Scoop in the avocado with a little salt and crush roughly - you want it chunky, not smooth. Squeeze in the lime juice and set aside.
• Mix the salsa ingredients in a small bowl. Heat a griddle pan or steamer and quickly griddle the tortillas or steam a stack of them to warm up. Reheat the bean mixture.
• To serve, put 1-2 heaped tbsp of beans on a tortilla. Top with a big spoonful of guacamole and some salsa, hot sauce and a dollop of soured cream or yogurt.

SPICY BLACK BEAN AND CORN TACOS

Steps:

• Toast hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds in a medium skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slice corn off cobs into a large bowl (you should have about 2 cups kernels). Add toasted nuts and seeds, jalapeño, red pepper, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup oil, 3 Tbsp. lime juice, and 1/2 tsp. salt; toss to combine.
• Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring, until onion starts to release moisture and turns translucent, 4-5 minutes. Add beans, cumin, 1/3 cup water, and remaining 3/4 tsp. salt. Cover and cook until liquid is reduced and beans soften, about 5 minutes. Uncover, add 1/3 cup water, and use the back of a fork to mash up about half of beans.
• Working one at a time, warm tortillas with tongs directly over a gas burner over medium heat, turning often, until lightly charred and puffed in spots, about 45 seconds per side. (Alternatively, wrap tortillas in foil and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave in 20-second bursts until warm.) Transfer to a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm.
• Whisk sour cream and remaining 2 Tbsp. lime juice in a small bowl. Fill tortillas with bean mixture, then top with corn salsa, avocado, and cilantro leaves. Drizzle with sour cream mixture and serve with lime wedges alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Corn salsa and beans can be made 3 days ahead; store separately, cover, and chill. Bring corn salsa to room temperature. Reheat beans in skillet before serving.

BLACK BEAN TACOS WITH AVOCADO AND SPICY ONIONS

Steps:

• Make the spicy onions: Squeeze the lime into a bowl and add the onion or shallot, jalapeño, salt and sugar to the juice. Set aside while you make the black beans.
• Prepare the beans: Heat a large skillet, then add 2 tablespoons oil. When oil is hot, add the onion and bell pepper and sauté until soft and golden, about 10 minutes. If the pan looks dry, drizzle in a little more oil.
• Add the garlic and jalapeño and sauté until fragrant, 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin, and sauté until fragrant. Add the beans and a few large pinches of salt and let simmer until the flavors meld, about 15 minutes.
• Taste and add more salt, chili powder and oregano to taste. Serve beans with tortillas and avocado and top with the pickled onions and jalapeño and some of their liquid, adding any of the garnishes you like.

SPICY GROUND BEEF TACO FILLING

Steps:

• Microwave onions, chili powder, oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, and oregano in bowl, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes; transfer to slow cooker.
• Stir tomato sauce, vinegar, and sugar into slow cooker.
• Mash bread and milk into paste in large bowl using fork.
• Mix in ground beef, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper using hands.
• Stir beef mixture int o slow cooker, breaking up any large pieces (do not overmix).
• Cover and cook until beef is tender, 6-8 hours on LOW or 3-5 hours on HIGH.
• Let beef filling settle for 5 minutes, then remove fat from surface using large spoon.
• Break up any remaining large pieces of beef with spoon.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Use as filling for tacos, burritos, etc.