Cos lettuce “tacos” with tomato salsa and guacamole

If you want a vegetarian version you can use 2 cans of beans, 2 capsicums, 2 zucchinis, tomatoes and a large handful of baby spinach thrown in at the end of cooking. You can make double and freeze some for another time. You can use some bolognaise mince if you have some leftover from a dinner and add the Mexican spices and beans for a reinvention. You can use the mince for baked sweet potatoes, to make quesadillas, as a base for Mexican shepherd’s pie with a sweet potato topping, as a pizza topping, as omelet filling for breakfast, a pie filling etc…

Serves 4 if you don’t use the beans.

Serves 6 if you use the beans

Mexican Spice Mix

Ingredients

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp ground coriander seeds

1 tbsp mild paprika

1 tsp dried oregano

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp chilli powder (optional)

3-4 tsp tapioca/arrowroot/cornflour/rice flour

1 cup water approx.

Ingredients for taco filling

500g beef mince, or other mince

1 red capsicum, deseeded and diced

1 red onion, fine dice (set aside ¼ for your salsa)

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 mexican spice mix recipe (leave aside 1 tsp for the guacamole)

Large cos lettuce leaves for your “taco” shell

1(400g) can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained (optional)

Method

In a large pot put in some oil and fry your mince, garlic, onion and capsicum until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Add your spice mix and stir for 1 minute, sprinkle over 3 tsp flour and add your 1 cup water. You could use a can of tomatoes/passata in place of the water. You can leave out the flour/water but your filling will be more of a crumblier texture.  This should make your mince hold together more, stir and let it simmer for 5-10 minute until there is no liquid left. Add your kidney beans if using and heat through for 1 minute. Place the mince in your lettuce leaf top with salsa, guacamole and cheese (optional) You can garnish with fresh coriander if you want to.

Guacamole

2 ripe avocados

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 tsp of your Mexican spice mix

1 Tbsp lime juice, you could use lemon (about ½ a lime depending on size)

You can use a little chilli powder, fresh chili in this too.

Hint: zest your lime/lemon first and save it. You can freeze it and use for dressings, marinades etc…

Method

Mash avocado and mix in the rest of the ingredients, season with salt.

Fresh Tomato Salsa

2 ripe red tomatoes, small dice

¼ of the red onion you set aside from the mince

½ Lebanese cucumber, small dice

1 Tbsp lime juice, you could use lemon (approx. ½ a lime depending on size)

1Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

You can use some fresh coriander/fresh chili in the salsa if you want

Method

Mix altogether. Season with salt and pepper.