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Baby Bird
03-01-2008, 11:43 PM
I've had tacos on my mind for 2 weeks, and finally satisfied the urge tonight! Here's the recipe (There are several component parts, so I sort of built up to making them over the two weeks) Let me know what you think...so far, my most beloved SAD fiance just gave this 2 thumbs up, so this goes into rotation for us!

Crema
meat of 2 young coconuts (I drank the water for breakfast this morning)
about 1/4 C of water

Blend in blender until it thickens up (It will start out fairly thin)

Salsa Fresca
2 large tomatoes
1/2 small onion
nice handful of cilantro
1 jalapeno (cut out the seeds and pith if you want the flavor but not the heat)
juice of 1 large lime (1-2 Tablespoons)
1 clove of garlic
1/4 t. of salt, or to taste

Chop the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and garlic. I did this in the food processor: tomatoes in one batch, onions in the next, and a third round for the cilantro, jalapeno and garlic. This keeps things from getting too liquified. I also drained a little liquid off my tomatoes, as they were VERY watery-juicy.
Combine everything in a bowl.

Taco "Meat"
1/2 C pistachios, soaked for at least 2 hours
salt to taste
2 t. ground cumin
1 T. Chili powder
2 t. ground coriander
1/4 to 1/2 t. garlic powder
1/4 to 1/2 t. onion powder

Combine the spices and salt in a container. I used a tupperware and shook like crazy. No spoon to wash that way.
Drain the pistachios and rinse them. Place them in a bowl. Sprinkle the spice mix on top. You may not need all of it. Taste as you go along. Adjust salt as necessary.
Chop the wet, seasoned nuts in your Food processor. Aim for the consistency of ground beef. Small pieces, but not paste, in other words.
Dehydrate the chopped nuts for several hours, until they are a little dry on the outside, but still moist and chewy on the inside.

Tacos
1 Head of butter-type lettuce. I used a fancy baby romaine. You want soft leaves, small center rib, roughly round-ish. You get the picture.
1 avocado
+ All of the above

Lay the washed and dried lettuce leaves out on a plate. Start with a slice or two of avocado. Next a few tablespoons of the pistachio "meat. Top with the salsa and crema.

JennaBoBenna
03-02-2008, 10:40 AM
Yum! Sounds delicious! My bf LOVES raw soft tacos

lambe
03-02-2008, 02:35 PM
do you think it would it be an epic fail if you skipped the dehydration part of the "taco-meat"? (i dont have a dehydrator.)

Baby Bird
03-02-2008, 03:17 PM
No, not at all. You could probably just let the soaked, drained nuts sit on your counter for a half hour or so before seasoning and chopping them. Just to sort of air dry them so they're not sopping wet when you sprinkle the seasoning on.

lambe
03-02-2008, 03:25 PM
beautiful! then i will definitely be making this next time i have to prove to someone decadent raw meals are in fact possible.

walnutty
03-02-2008, 06:29 PM
Baby Bird,

Where do you get your raw pistachios? I have searched high and low and can't find them anywhere.

Thanks!

RawDrop
03-02-2008, 06:45 PM
There is a nice webpage online, if you search for homemade dehydrator that will show you how to make a dehydrator. Sure, it is big and ugly, and it only has one tempurature setting, but it works.

It uses a big cardboard box lined with foil (We used duct/gaffer tape to keep the foil in place), and then you just need the lightbulb and cord from a light fixture. You put that in a lower back corner of the box.

You can add shelves by using lengths of bamboo poles stuck through the box and taped down so they are secure.

Use standard cookie trays lined with waxed/parchment paper and get to dehydrating. The web page shows pictures as well.

Good luck!

cmchapman75

Baby Bird
03-02-2008, 06:46 PM
I buy raw pistachios either at Trader Joe's (non organic) or our local you-scoop place (organic). Occasionally, a local farmer will have them at my farmer's market, then I buy those.

QTLayla
03-03-2008, 03:59 PM
Baby Bird,

Where do you get your raw pistachios? I have searched high and low and can't find them anywhere.

Thanks!
Hi
I just bought raw pistacios at Whole Foods Market. I recently heard that WFM bought Trader Joes so this may be a TJ product now at WFM.
Hope this helps!
QT

lambe
03-03-2008, 05:20 PM
There is a nice webpage online, if you search for homemade dehydrator that will show you how to make a dehydrator. Sure, it is big and ugly, and it only has one tempurature setting, but it works.

It uses a big cardboard box lined with foil (We used duct/gaffer tape to keep the foil in place), and then you just need the lightbulb and cord from a light fixture. You put that in a lower back corner of the box.

You can add shelves by using lengths of bamboo poles stuck through the box and taped down so they are secure.

Use standard cookie trays lined with waxed/parchment paper and get to dehydrating. The web page shows pictures as well.

Good luck!

cmchapman75


thank you so much! this sounds excellent & fun.

jacsam
03-03-2008, 06:44 PM
Well, if you fiance gives it 2 thumbs up, Ill have to try it....considering he isn't raw. Looks good!!! Thanks.