Lauren hit it out of the park with her recipe for lentil tacos. I made a few changes to fit my tastes and availability of kitchen spices. Normally when I want a quick Tex-Mex meal I go for a black bean quesadilla, but these tacos could easily become my new favorite. In fact, I really think that even meat lovers would enjoy these. Not to mention that lentils have high levels of proteins, including the amino acids isoleucine and lysine (which are important for vegetarians). They are also high in fiber, vitamin B and are one of the best plant sources of iron. Oh yea, and a bag of lentils cost me $1.10. Score!
To prep the lentils, cook 1 cup of dry lentils in about 3 cups of water over medium heat for about 35 minutes. They should be soft buy not mushy. Once cooked, drain the remaining water. Add the lentils back to the pot, reduce the heat to low and add your seasonings. I seasoned my lentils with about 3 tbsp of sauteed onions and half a packet of taco seasoning. 1 cup of lentils will make about 3-4 portions, depending upon how big you make your tacos. 
Cook lentils for an additional 5 minutes, or until the lentils are soft. Yep, it’s that simple. Serve the lentils like ground beef and top with whatever suits you!
My lentil tacos contained: whole wheat wrap, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, salsa and lettuce.
Trust me, you will want seconds.
Here’s a challenge for you. Since I am headed back to school, I’ll soon be on a food budget and on a tight schedule. Help a sista out and send me your favorite, easy recipe to ieatasphalt@gmail.com. It can be vegetarian or contain meat. I promise that I will make and post everything that is sent to me. Because a girl can only eat so many bowls of cereal each week.
Speaking of school, I found a piece of Philly in DC.
I miss you, Philly! Moving day is tomorrow, wish me luck!
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Oddly enough, I had my first veggie burrito last night – delish!
OK – I’m going to have to think about a good recipe for you. I do tons of good stuff on the cheap, you’ll be great.
Good luck on the move!!
Good luck with the move and welcome to DC!
That’s funny – I just bought a bag of lentils on Monday when I went grocery shopping. But I wasn’t thinking I’d use them for Mexican; I’ve been meaning to try to make a pasta sauce with them instead. Thanks for the idea though, since I tend to stick to black beans and kidney beans when I make Mexican meals.
Yay! I’m so happy that you tried these — and liked them!!! They really are my favorite alternative. And I can vouch for the fact that even meat lovers like them. Well…at least my boyfriend does, anyway. I always vet recipes through him and I think these and black bean burgers are his favorite.
Anyway, I also love that lentils are so nutritious and so cheap. I’ll think about what other cheap & easy recipes I can send you. I guess the one that comes to mind are the black bean burgers on my blog. But I’ll keep thinking!
Good luck with the move!
I’m still on the fence about lentils – I’ll have to give them another shot.
Good luck with your move!!
That looks great. Honestly, I’ve never cooked lentils. I love them when other people make them, so I’m not sure why. (Laziness, I assume.) I must try these tacos. Of course, my husband will force me to add some sort of meat to the dish.
And good luck with the move–and welcome to DC!
I saw these tacos on Lauren’s blog and have been wanting to try them!
Yum! Those tacos look so good. I am totally addicted to all things mexican inspired. I think I might make something like this tonight!!
Love that ad! Good luck on the move Alex
I wish we could have gotten together again in Philly but I’ll certainly be in touch when I visit DC! Hope the move goes smoothly!
The best part about a lentil taco, is that it looks JUST LIKE ground beef
Awesome meal!!
I’m excited to start reading about your cheap meals. You should look up Melissa d’Arabian’s $10 Dinners on the Food Network website! Granted, her show is for a family of four-ish, so you could have tonnnns of leftovers and future meals
These look like tasty tacos! Lentils are one of my favorite legumes because they absorb flavors/seasonings so well. I’m bookmarking this!
Yum, those look delicious! (I think my meat-eating husband would like them, too!)
You may have already seen this, but Michelle over at Give Me the Almond Butter has written a Dorm Room Delicacies series on her blog. I don’t know that you’ll need things that are specific to the dorm room, but most of the ideas are just quick, easy, tasty, and healthy.
http://givemethealmondbutter.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/dorm-room-delicacies-snacks/
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