smart ground, black bean, & avocado tacos

If you have never tried Smart Ground, you probably should.  What is Smart Ground, you ask?  It is vegetarian ground "meat" and as most vegetarian products go, it tastes like whatever you cook it with or whatever sauce/seasoning you choose.  I love this stuff because I can heat it up quickly, toss it in some pasta, or cook it with taco seasoning and make some deliciously light tacos.  Usually after a long run (followed by a full day of work), this is my go to food, also, because it provides a lot of protein without the fat and .  On this particular day, I was craving tacos and I happened to have reaped the benefits of a 10 avocados for $10 sale at the grocery store.  Clearly, I have no problem eating an avocado a day.

Anyway, I had made these a few weeks back and Nate and I enjoyed how light, yet filling, these yummy vegetarian tacos were to us.  The ingredients are simple and they take about 10 minutes to make.  It also makes a big batch of taco "meat", so you can either have leftovers or use them in other recipes.  Make them for dinner, for lunch, or throw in some eggs for a breakfast taco!  The possibilities are endless...

Smart Ground, Black Bean, & Avocado Tacos

Ingredients
12 oz. Smart Ground (original)
½-¾ packet low sodium taco seasoning
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 medium onion, chopped
1½ cups taco sauce
8 oz. can black beans, low sodium
Avocados, sliced
2% Mexican cheese, to taste
Salsa, to taste
Shredded lettuce
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
8-10 small whole wheat tortillas

Directions

Heat up the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat.  Cook chopped onion until it becomes soft and translucent.  Once onion is cooked, remove Smart Ground from packaging and place in the pan with the onions.  Break apart with a spatula until no large chunks are left so that the "meat" can heat up evenly.  Stir in Worcestershire sauce, taco seasoning, garlic salt, and taco sauce.  Reduce heat once sauce begins to bubble.

Drain and wash the black beans.  Add beans to a small pan with a little water, and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes.  Set aside to be used as toppings for your tacos.

I do not have any measurements/amounts for the rest of the toppings because it is up to you on how much you use.  Are you eating with one other person or 5?  I usually use about a quarter of avocado per taco.  Warm up your tortillas either for 10-15 seconds in the microwave or heat the oven to 250 degrees and place them in for about 5 minutes.

To construct your tacos, begin with about 1/3 cup of the "meat" mixture.  Add beans, lettuce, avocado slices, salsa, and a little cheese on top.  If you like sour cream, a healthier alternative that I use is plain, fat free Greek yogurt.  It works just as well!