As much as I love the processed, freakishly accurate artificial meat, sometimes it’s nice to be able to whip up your own protein as a vegetarian.
These chickpea tacos are comically simple, light, healthy and have a great crunch to them. They’re basically a salad, but much more satisfying. The avocado sauce I make for them serves as a glue for the chickpeas, which have a tendency to roll away from their vessels otherwise.
I make them when I have several people to cook for, because the ingredients are super affordable, they take next to no effort, and guests can assemble them taco-bar style.
CHICKPEA TACOS
Soft taco shells
Black olives, sliced
Tomatoes, diced
Onions, chopped
Lettuce, shredded
Shredded cheese
1 can of chickpeas
1 packet of taco seasoning
Salsa
AVOCADO SAUCE
1/2 cup sour cream
1.5 avocados
1 Tbs. lime juice
1/2 tsp. onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Make the sauce by combining the ingredients in a food processor. I don’t have a food processor, so I just mash the avocado with the lime. Add the rest of the ingredients, then stir until it is as combined as possible. Stick in the fridge, for now.
Drain the chickpeas, and lay them out on a few paper towels. Gently press them with paper towels until they are as dry as possible. The oven will do the rest.
Spray a baking tray with cooking spray. Put the chickpeas in a small bowl, add the seasoning, and gently mix them until the seasoning is equally distributed.
Add them to the pan in a single layer, cook for 10 minutes, mix them around, and then cook for another 10. If they’re still soft, cook them for an extra five or so minutes.
Spread a generous amount of the sauce onto the middle of each taco shell, in a thick line. Add the roasted chickpeas, probably about 10 to 15 per taco, then the diced tomatoes, onions, olives, cheese, a little salsa, and top with a little too much lettuce.
Notes:
•The sauce can be made ahead of time, but loses its charm after more than two days in the fridge.
•The leftover chickpeas make a great snack, even on their own.
