Chipotle Sweet Potato Tacos with Black Beans and Guacamole

Chipotle Sweet Potato Tacos with Black Beans and Guacamole

Recipe first published on February 17th, 2012. Last updated on October 20th, 2015.

Chipotle Sweet Potato Tacos with Black Beans

If you follow me on instagram, you probably already know that Mack and I are currently soaking up all things fall in Illinois (M is at home working, so I promised him I’d make a pie upon return). Coming home always brings with it a bit more nostalgia, especially during fall. The feel of the crisp air, watching the leaves change, and being curled up in my youth bed (which is a three-quarters antique four-post bed that creeks amazingly loud with every move). And so I’ve let my nostalgia spill over to the blog by sharing these tacos (and another recipe on Thursday). Both are a couple of my favorite recipes from the archives that have been updated with new information and new photos.

Read more and see the recipe.

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Black Bean Tostadas with Chipotle Butternut Squash

Black Bean Tostadas with Chipotle Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese | http://naturallyella.com

Recipe originally published on September 28th, 2012. Last updated on September 20th, 2015.

I am always fascinated by my changing taste. There are so many foods I love now but as a child, I wouldn’t have touched with a ten foot pole. Looking back, I was an extremely picky eater. Then again, I was also a fast food junky at an early age. I was particularly fussy when it came to cheese. Mozzarella and cheddar, both highly processed single servings were what I was after in terms of cheese. Anything else seemed too far fetched. I think the day I realized Parmesan came in giant wheels and not plastic bottles was a game changer.

I have a very vivid memory when my family and I were at a local Mexican restaurant. For one reason or another, I had left my comfort zone of chicken strips and fries (believe it or not, there was a day when I wouldn’t eat Mexican), and I had ordered tacos. The tacos arrived with this white cheese on top and I began to question my order, wondering if it was too late to turn back.

My father took one look at my tacos and managed to aid my paranoia with one sentence, “you know that cheese it actually goat cheese, right?”

I freaked out, even with my mom trying to reassure me that the cheese on my tacos was in fact shredded mozzarella (which it was, my dad liked to tease me). To my younger self, the thought of anything goat cheese related sent me running to the hills. For years after that experience I questioned every cheese on my plate. I wasn’t going to be fooled again. Fast forward to now and you will find me adding goat cheese to almost everything. I find that goat cheese pairs well with a lot of the dishes I make and I often have to stop myself because I forget not everyone loves it like I do.

See the Recipe.

The post Black Bean Tostadas with Chipotle Butternut Squash appeared first on Naturally Ella.

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Chipotle Cilantro Pesto Black Bean Summer Pasta

Chipotle Cilantro Pesto Black Bean Summer Pasta | http://naturallyella.com

| Disclosure: This recipe was created for Ancient Harvest. See below for more details. |

Black Bean Pasta | http://naturallyella.com

Roasted Sweet Corn and Tomatoes
Chipotle Cilantro Pesto | http://naturallyella.com

Chipotle Cilantro Pesto Black Bean Summer Pasta | http://naturallyella.com

One of the things I love most about cooking vegetarian is the color. It is almost impossible to create a dish that isn’t appealing (beyond a few beige items, but even then a few fresh herbs can help!) I sometimes create meals based on the contrast of colors to make the meal more appealing. One of those dishes that comes to mind is this Pesto Polenta with Smokey Chickpeas.

When I was playing with flours for The Homemade Flour Cookbook, I fell in love with black bean flour. It had a fairly mild flavor profile and the color, after cooking, had this beautiful purple hue. I loved the color so much, I even made black bean tofu. In the cookbook, however, I made black bean pasta. Since then, it’s become a staple in my kitchen.

Of course, I know not everyone is as ambitious as I am when it comes to grinding their own flour (or making homemade pasta). I am excited to share this recipe with you using Ancient Harvest’s Black Bean Pasta. Their pasta contains three simple ingredients: black bean flour, brown rice flour, and quinoa flour and has a gorgeous color after cooking. This color makes for such a unique spin on any dish. Of course, you can always make this with any pasta- regular or gluten-free.

In this case, it’s a summer pasta dish topped with one of my favorites, a chipotle cilantro pesto. It’s a bit spicy and packed full of flavor. Plus, by using AH’s pasta, this dish is gluten-free and vegan! I usually make extra of the cilantro pesto to use on tacos, in quesadillas, and on breakfast egg skillets as well.

See the Recipe.

The post Chipotle Cilantro Pesto Black Bean Summer Pasta appeared first on Naturally Ella.

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