Eggplant Tacos – vegan茄子タコス

Eggplant Tacos – vegan

I had no idea that the tacos I knew as tacos and I was eating for over twenty years were “American” style tacos! Terry and I found a great Mexican restaurant in Wausau, WI when we were there a few weeks ago. The staff all spoke Spanish and many of the customers also seemed like native Spanish speakers. The place seemed very authentic Mexican to us. When we looked at their menu, under the “tacos” section, it said “American style” and “Mexican style”. That got my attention. If I remember it right, the American style tacos come with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and cheese in addition to whatever the meat you choose. If you choose the Mexican style simply pico de gallo and cilantro accompany the meat. Who knew! I hope my readers are not laughing at me not having known all this. But you have to understand. I’m originally from Japan (I didn’t grow up eating tacos; my first taco experience was probably at age 19 when I was visiting California), and I’ve been living in the Midwest the past 12 years. Anyway, I liked their Mexican style tacos so much that I started making our tacos their style at home since then. We are on the 95% plant-based diet, so omitting sour cream and cheese works very well for us anyway.

Here is my recent vegan taco creation, eggplant tacos. Eggplant soaks up oil and spices well. You can make it so flavorful and satisfying that it can stand well as a wonderful main ingredient. I served my eggplant tacos with my homemade pico de gallo. Sprinkle cilantro leaves and splash fresh lime juice right before you have your first bite. Now I’m thinking about making my own corn tortillas…

Eggplant tacos: corn tortillas, eggplant (diced and sauteed with canola oil, chopped garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper, sugar), pico de gallo (tomatoes, onion, green onion, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice, salt), cilantro, lime juice

Click here for recipe information.

茄子タコス

先日あるメキシコ料理店でメニューを見ていた時のこと。

タコスのところに、“アメリカンスタイル”と、“メキシカンスタイル”、とあって、えっ？と思ったんですよね。

しっかり読んでみると、アメリカンスタイルは肉の他に、レタス、トマト、サワークリーム、チーズがついてくるようで、メキシカンスタイルは肉の他にはピコ・デ・ガヨというフレッシュなトマトサルサと香菜がついてくる、とのこと。

これまでタコスと思って食べていたほとんどのものは、アメリカンスタイルだったのね、とちょっと目からうろこでした。

で、もちろんメキシカンスタイルで頼んだのですが、コレがとっても美味しくって、うちでもここ最近は“メキシカンスタイル”タコスを作ってます。

95％植物性食生活の我が家なので、サワークリームやチーズが入らないっていうのは、ぴったりだったりするしね。

あと、最近は小麦粉のトルティーヤじゃなくって、コーントルティーヤにもはまってます。

で、先日作ったヴィーガンなタコスがコレ、茄子タコス！

ははっ、日本語だと、ネーミングの切れ味がいいかも～（笑）。

茄子はちょっと多めの油でしっかり炒めてにんにく、クミンやらカイエンペッパーやらでしっかり味付けするのがコツ。