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Jump to RecipeToday’s idea is coming out of Central America, I used to have it for Lunch or Dinner during my time in Belize. In general the food selection in Belize is very interesting, due to the different influences the country has experienced. But I will explain this later. Today’s recipe is about Street Tacos with chicken! But of course, like always in my blog, with a healthy twist.
Belize and it’s food scene is so versatile as it’s population! You have influences from the Mayan Tribes, with its typical Central American locally influenced dishes, paired with the Caribbean/ Jamaican touch and additionally you have the food culture of the Garifuna people as long as some traditional dishes from the Mennonites, which settled in the 1950’s in Belize.
What is a Street Taco?
Traditional Mexican tacos are called street tacos. They are typically served on corn tortillas and are stuffed with meat, which is braised usually over hours. Traditional toppings including onions, cilantro, and salsa. There is no lettuce, tomatoes, or cheese in traditional street tacos, as this dish is originated in the “worker class”. It had to be cheap, fast and filling.
Why is this Street Taco Recipe healthy?
That is definitely a good question, but I will explain it within this next lines. Let’s start with the Taco which I used in this recipe. It’s a whole wheat taco, find more information about whole grain products here.
Then coming to the Salsa, which is mainly made out of cilantro, mint, chili and garlic. The cilantro has an antimicrobial compound, that may help protect your body against infections and illnesses caused by tainted food.
The mint is rich in nutrients and helps the digestion, it even improves brain functions.
The chili has a high amount on vitamin C and antioxidants, burns additionally fat.
The garlic reduces high blood pressure and boosts the immune system, but you should always remove the seedling inside the garlic clove. As it is responsible for bad smell and digestion problems. For removing it professionally, just check the video linked in the recipe or here.
Last but not least, I created chicken street tacos, by including ground chicken and chickpeas, I enriched the recipe with protein. This is excellent for sportswomen and -men, which are looking for a gain in muscles. 22g of protein are included in this recipe. The total recommended amount of protein is 0,8 g per kg weight. (For example, a person who weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kilograms, should consume 60 grams of protein per day)
Sure absolutely, just replace the chicken with tofu, or even better smoked tofu and you have a wonderful alternative.
No issues, I got you! Just replace the taco with a romaine lettuce leaf and off you go, low carb, high in fiber and protein!
Yes sure, this is possible. Just increase the amount on chickpeas, meat or have a portion of brown rice on the side. Also adding tofu or a boiled egg can be an option. (in this sequence)
Street Taco
Equipment
- 1 cutting board
- 1 cooking knife sharp
- 1 blender
- 1 frying pan
Ingredients
Salsa
- 20 gramm mint
- 30 gramm cilantro
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 pcs chili Habanero
- 50 ml olive oil extra vergin
- 5 gramm salt
Taco and filling
- 2 pcs taco whole grain diameter 14cm or 5,5 inches
- 0,25 pcs avocado ripe
- 0,5 pcs tomato
- 3 tbsp chick peas can, without sugar
- 2 pcs shallots
- 100 gramm ground chicken
- 1 pcs garlic cloves
- 1 pcs chili habanero
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
Instructions
Salsa
- Wash the herbs, peel the garlic cloves and remove the seedlings inside. Remove the stand of the chili and blend everything with the olive oil and salt in a blender. Chill it after.
Taco and Filling
- Dice the tomato, shallots and garlic. Half the chili. Heat a pan and fry the ground chicken with half of the shallots, all of the garlic and the chili. Add salt and pepper to taste. When fully cooked through, transfer it in a bowl. For the chickpeas, use can ones without sugar and wash it after opening the can.
- In the pan heat the taco, it becomes more flexible. It rolls easier after.
Plating
- Fill the tacos with the minced meat, chickpeas, tomatoes and avocado. Top it with the Salsa and remaining shallots.
