Texture Texture Texture. I have learned a lot about texture when it comes to eating plant based. Things that I used to eat came be simulated in plant form. I made a burger out of slabs of cauliflower yesterday. What? I know. Crazy!

This recipe was something I found on Pinterest. Myself and my friend decided to test it out. A friend of mine is on alternative break with some college students. She needed recipes that are vegan friends. I had recently been going through my pinterest entrees board and thought the Lentil Taco Salad recipe from veggieprimer would work. Everyone loves a taco.

I love testing out new recipes. I love it even more when I get calls from friends who want to test out plant based recipes with me. The ingredients are simple. I believe all I needed was lentils and taco seasoning. Both I got from the bulk foods section at my local market.

Prep time was easy. You pretty much pour everything into a rice cooker or instant pot and let it go. Check the recipe linked above for the exact instructions for rice cooker. Instant pot instructions below along with the edited recipe I used.

Below is what I used as I did add my own flair in for extra flavor.

• 1 cup brown lentils
• 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• ½ medium onion, chopped (I prefer red in this recipe. You can use sweet.)
• 1 tbs dried parsley
• 1 tbs taco seasoning (or more to taste)
• 1 tbs adobo seasoning (or more to taste) * this ingredient is not in the original recipe from the site I mentioned above*
• 1.5 cups water for Instant Pot users. 2 cups water for Rice Cooker users
• Rice Cooker or Instant Pot
• Blender, immersion or standing (You might be able to get away with some sort of masher)

1. In the Instant Pot put all your ingredients listed above.
2. Stir the ingredients
3. Turn the knob on top to sealing
4. Set your instant pot to manual 5 minutes higher pressure
5. Once 5 mins is done you will do a 10 minute natural release
6. Once 10 minutes is up move the knob on top to venting
7. Use your immersion blender to give it a good pulse together. This part is not 100% necessary. I find that it helps the remaining liquid mush together with the mixture a bit more. You can always just stir and be done.
8. Let sit to cool. Mixture will thicken a bit as it cools.
9. Add to whatever you want. My top suggestions are tacos either in shell or bowl, pasta bowl, and lasagna.

In this instance I threw the meat on some roasted veggies along with other salad ingredients.

I used the left over roasted veggies and “meat” with some quinoa pasta. I got a text from my friend saying the “meat” was a success with the alternative break students. PINTEREST SUCCESS

Let me know if you try out! What did you add or take out?