Veggie Tacos, Creamy Jalapeno Sauce, and Homemade Corn Tortillas

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

Tortillas
2 cups masa flour
2 generous pinches of kosher salt
1.5 cups water + more if needed

Jalapeño Sauce
1-2 jalapeños (depending on how hot they are)
1 cup cashews, soaked overnight and drained
¾ cup water
1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon finely minced shallot
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup peeled and chopped cucumber
⅓ cup loosely chopped cilantro, leaves and stems
squeeze of lemon
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Tacos
4 portabello mushroom caps, stems removed, sliced into 1″ thick pieces (or just buy them pre-sliced!)
1 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
a few dashes of Mexican chili powder
sprinkle of kosher salt

Toppings
2 avocados, sliced
1.5 cups shredded red cabbage
handful of cilantro
2 jalapeños, thinly sliced

INSTRUCTIONS

Creamy Jalapeño Sauce
Roast the jalapeños until the outside is blackened and crisp. This can be done over a gas stove, in a dry cast iron pan, or under an oven broiler.
Remove from the heat and place in a plastic ziploc bag for 10 minutes until cooled enough to touch.
Peel off the skins – it will come off very easily and cleanly if you rub it off with a paper towel.
Discard the stem and seeds and place the jalapeño(s) in a blender with the cashews, water, vinegar, shallot, garlic, cucumber, lemon, salt and pepper.
Blend until smooth and creamy, adding a tablespoon more water if necessary. Be patient and get it really nice and smooth.
Add cilantro and blend until small cilantro pieces are incorporated throughout.
Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt, pepper or lemon to your liking.
Chill until ready to use.

Corn Tortillas
Following the instructions on the back of the masa flour package, add 2 cups flour, a couple pinches of salt and water to a large mixing bowl. *See TIPS at the bottom of this post.
Combine for about 2 minutes until a nice smooth round dough forms. Break the dough into small dough balls. The flour bag claims you’ll get 19 balls. I never do – it’s more like 14.
Heat a large flat reversible grill/griddle on medium-high to prepare to toast the tortillas. You want it to be hot!!
One at a time, place a small dough ball on the work surface and press it out until it’s super thin.
Transfer it to your hot griddle. (no need to grease it) The first side takes about 20 seconds, then flip.
The second side takes about 45 seconds, then flip again.
The tortilla should be begin to start puffing up. If it doesn’t lightly press the top of it with your fingertips to encourage it to start puffing – see TIPS. When it does, tap the air out gently with the back of a flat spatula – approx. 20 seconds. Flip to the other side again and tap out air – approx. 10 seconds.
You should see a tiny bit of browning, but not too much.
Repeat for each dough ball. Storing the finished tortillas in a bowl or pan covered with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm.

Mushrooms
Toss the sliced mushrooms with the oil, vinegar and soy sauce.
Heat the grill side of your pan (if you’re lucky and have a reversible grill/griddle then it’s already hot) Sear the mushrooms on each side for about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and a few dashes of chili powder.

Let’s Eat!
Assemble tacos with mushrooms, avocado, cabbage, cilantro, sliced jalapeños and a squeeze of lime juice. Drizzle with the creamy jalapeño sauce.

NOTES

tortilla making tips

As with any dough related adventure, the exact technique takes 2 or 3 times to get it just right. Corn tortillas are pretty fail proof, but getting them just right can be nudged in the right direction with these few tips:

1. Let the tortilla dough rest covered for at least 15 minutes to let the water hydrate the corn masa.

2. When rolling the dough into individual balls, first do a tester. Take one dough ball and press it into a small thick disc with your fingers. If the sides of the disc being to split, your dough is too dry. Mix a few more tablespoons of water into the dough and let rest again for at least 5 minutes. Test again.

3. When adding the flattened tortillas to your pan or griddle, the tortilla should make a low sizzle sound when placed on the hot pan. That’s how you know the pan it hot enough.

4. To encourage tortillas to start puffing up, poke/press the tops lightly with your fingertips.

From oatandsesame.com