Butter Bean and Avocado Tacos

Hello Friends ~~~

I've been looking for something a little different to give my taste buds a lift lately and this is one of the recipes I've come up with. It's still a work in progress, but then I do love to play with my food!

As a vegetarian I'm always looking for different ways to cook with pulses, beans and grains which I love, and which form a staple part of my diet. So, yesterday, I went on one of my Fridge Raid meals and tonight I made a tweaked version of last night's Fridge Raid. I'm calling it Butter Bean and Avocado Tacos.  This is a cold filling.  Here's what you'll need ~~~

For two servings:
1 can Butter Beans, drained
1 ripe avocado, peeled
50 grams of cheese {Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or any hardish cheese of your choice ~ I used Harlech, a lovely cheese flavoured with horseradish, from my local deli} grated.
4 spring onions {salad onions, scallions} thinly sliced
A generous pinch {to taste} of chilli powder {optional}
A generous pinch {to taste} of smoked paprika {optional}
A pinch of sumac {to taste and optional, but I like the slightly sour taste}
A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, or some of the pickling juice from a jar of Pepperdew or similar
Olive oil
Spring of mint, chiffonade
Pinch of Chipotle flakes, for presentation, optional
Taco shells, or soft tortillas to serve

Here's what I did next:

In a large bowl, using a potato masher or a fork {which gives you control over the texture} mash together the avocado, butter beans, cheese, spring onions, mint and seasonings. When all mashed and blended, but still with some texture, slacken it off with a squeeze of lime {or lemon} juice and some Extra Virgin olive oil. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Heat your taco shells or tortillas according to the packet directions and fill with your butter bean mixture. Sprinkle over the Chipotle flakes if using. Serve immediately and enjoy ~~~

Bon Appétit ~~~
Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xo

Five Minute Butter Bean Salad Recipe

Gentle Reader ~~~ I was stuck with a Fridge Raid supper tonight, and came up with this little gem of a recipe using a can of butter beans from my store cupboard, a few bits and bobs from the salad bin, and seasonings that I always have on hand, so here it is, Five Minute Butter Bean Salad with a Hemp Oil and Minted Lemon dressing ~~~

Ingredients {approx two servings}
1 can Butter Beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 large red pepper {diced small}
4 spring onions {scallions, salad onions} cleaned and snipped into small pieces
1/2 a ripe avocado {diced small}
2 teaspoons Hemp oil
juice of 1/2 lemon
Chiffonade of 4 or 5 mint leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the vegetables; rinse and drain the beans. Put everything in a mixing bowl and drizzle with Hemp oil and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat and dress the ingredients. Sprinkle with the mint. Check seasoning and adjust to taste. Chill for half an hour before serving.

This was so simple, nutritious, and very tasty. Of course, you can switch things around ~ chives or red onion instead of the spring onions, olive oil instead of Hemp, basil instead of mint.  I think I will add some tomatoes to the leftovers for tomorrow's lunch!

Buon Appetit!