phase 2 and taco time

Today is Phase 2 of Marissa moving away from me! Don’t get me wrong, I am so happy for her, so thrilled for this new and exciting chapter in her life!  This is what you wish for; for your children to be independent, on their own, living their lives, chasing their dreams! But I’m going to miss her! She is a perfect daughter and a gorgeous, caring, smart, and amazing woman and I am proud.  I shall be putting her on a plane to San Francisco today at 3:30.  When she arrives there, she has a place to stay for the next three nights, and then… not 100% sure. On Sunday she has an appointment to go see an apartment that hopefully (more like praying to God!) she will be able to sublease, beginning on the forth day.  If that doesn’t go through, oh I can’t even begin to think about that! And on Monday morning, she starts her new job.

When I get home from the airport I think I’ll just get on the internet and start planning my trip to visit her, to see her in her new wonderful home by the bay.  Either that or sit down and have a good cry!  Honestly, I am so excited. I am so very proud. And mostly, I am exceedingly blessed! Blessed and honored to be her mom.  Marissa, I love you!

I promised you a recipe today and a great recipe you shall get … not only am I a proud mom, I am also a carnivore.  I am not a vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, or any other such noble person.  I am more of a Big Night,  Like Water For Chocolate, Babette’s Feast, or Mostly Martha sort of movie girl rather than a Food, Inc., Fast Food Nation, Forks Over Knives, or Earthlings movie girl.  I like to live with my head buried deeply in the carnivore sand.

That said, I don’t think I’ll ever make beef, chicken, or pork taco again!  Obviously, not because I have anything against beef, chicken, or pork… but because these red lentil tacos are so much better.  Really they are!  If you make them and you don’t agree, I’ll give you your money back.  Honestly, every penny you’ve ever spent coming to my free blog, I shall refund to you, in full, if you don’t think these are the best tacos ever!!!  Now that’s a money-back guarantee if ever there was one. xoxo

Oh, and I also think the latest greatest best new invention is these flat-bottomed hard taco shells. Why on earth did it take so long for somebody to come up with this?? Duh!!

Red Lentil Tacos

1 medium onion, peeled and diced
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed in your palm
2  1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup of your favorite salsa

12 taco shells
Shredded cheddar cheese
Shredded iceberg lettuce
Chopped fresh tomato
Salsa
Sour cream

In a large nonstick skillet, sauté the onion and garlic in oil until tender.  Add the lentils, chili powder, cumin, and oregano; cook and stir for 1 minute.  Add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

Uncover and cook for about 8 minutes or until the mixture is thickened.  Mash lentils slightly.  Stir in salsa.

Place shredded cheese in the bottom of each taco shell, spoon about 1/4 cup lentil mixture atop cheese. Top with lettuce, tomato, salsa, and sour cream.

Makes 12