Veggie Taco Night

This is one of my favorite dinners to make. Ever since switching to vegetarianism, I have definitely increased the Spanish food intake. Rice, beans, cheese, and carbohydrates are just so yummy and easy to make a bunch of meals with. Also, rice and beans eaten together make a complete amino acid. And while protein is the least of my nutrients I need to worry about, I enjoy that combination especially after lifting weights at the gym. Over the weekend I had a successful trip to wholefoods where I picked up all the necessary ingredients for a successful taco night. It came out so delicious that I suggest you give it a go.
1. Dump one can of black beans and one can of pinto beans into a large pan.
2. Add ¾ cup of water, and a packet of taco seasoning (usually you use this seasoning on the ground beef, but why not just mix it with the beans? This decision was brilliant as it totally worked and I got all the taco seasoning flavor without having to use ground beef).
3. Pre heat the oven to 350 and place your taco shells on a cookie sheet. Heat shells for 5 minutes. I used Garden of Eatin' brand, blue corn shells.
4. Simmer the beans until most of the water is absorbed and then reduce heat to low.
5. Cook a pot of brown rice. I use the Success 10 Minute boil brown rice.
6. Stuff tacos with brown rice, beans, and your favorite taco toppings. I topped mine with the following: organic shredded cheese (365 brand), salsa fresca (from wholefoods), wild arugula, and taco sauce. :)
I asked my roommate “did you eat dinner yet?” He replied with “no…I have a lean cuisine in the freezer though”. I said “forget the lean cuisine, I am about to make veggie tacos and there will be a lot of food, so come in here and grab a plate. The rule though, you can only eat them if you definitely add arugula”. He asked “what’s arugula?” (aye aye aye…we don’t know our greens!) Without being rude, I just pointed to the wild arugula on the counter. When he realized it was a “lettuce” he went “oh…” But my roommate knows that when I cook food for him, I make sure he takes in his vegetables for the night (since I never see him eat anything other than peanut butter on bagels, chicken, or frozen meals). My green rule always works, since well…what 25 year old man do you know that doesn’t accept home cooked food? The tacos were a hit.