With Hispanic Heritage Month coming up in just a few days, it’s time to celebrate! If you have a plant-based diet, these vegetarian Mexican recipes are for you.
Whether you’re craving a traditional dish or a fusion of something new, these five recipes are sure to honor culinary roots and bring a smile to your face (and your stomach).
What are the common ingredients, and what are some substitutes?
Some common ingredients don’t require any substitutes:
Chilies
Tomatoes
Corn
Beans
Avocado
Cilantro
Onions
Garlic
Cheese
Lime
Spices
While others do! Listed below are a few of the common meat-based ingredients and their substitutes.
Chorizo: this sausage has multiple substitutes, which include soy or tofu-based chorizo.
Chicken: look for jackfruit, or chickpeas!
Pork: mushroom or jackfruit can easily be seasoned in the same way.
Beef: Lentils and other vegetables can provide the texture you’re looking for.
Lard: coconut oil or olive oil is an easy fix for this one!
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s cut to the chase–the recipes you’ve been waiting for.
What are some of the recipes?
We gathered a variety of different dishes for your celebration! This list offers some unique new flavors, while also keeping to the traditional elements.
Mooli and pomegranate ceviche
A good evening always begins with ceviche and chips. One of the most essential parts of ceviche is to keep the fresh, citrusy flavor alive to complement the chips, and this does that perfectly.
For the sauce: 1 onion, ½ habanero chili, lime juice, and olive oil (cook and blend)
For the ceviche: diced persimmon, diced mooli (radish), pomegranate seeds, ½ avocado, olive oil
Toss the two together and you’ve got the perfect appetizer!
Tajin cauliflower bites
In an evening full of dining, laughter, and talking, bite-sized food is a must. These tajin cauliflower bites are the perfect vegetarian option!
Mix together some olive oil, chipotle paste, and garlic. After seasoning with salt, mix in the cauliflower!
Roast for 35-40 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius or around 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Scatter Tajin once roasted.
Feel free to drizzle your bites with some sour cream and chipotle paste!
Crusted halloumi tacos with pico de gallo
Otherwise known as the star of the show.
Get your classic pico de gallo ready!
Mix together cumin and paprika and rub over the halloumi.
Heat a pan and add the halloumi, frying until golden on each side.
Grab your tortillas and other taco add-ons! Add slices of halloumi and your pico de gallo, and enjoy.
Flan
Get out these ingredients the night before, for the most delicious dessert for the following day.
Cook caster sugar with 2 tablespoons of water, and cook over high heat until the sugar dissolves. Coat a flan tin with the dissolved mixture, and cool.
Whisk 5 eggs and ½ teaspoons of vanilla together along with a 400g can of condensed milk, 400 ml of evaporated milk, and 150 ml of whole milk. Pour the mixture into the tin and cover with foil.
Place the tin into a 5cm tall baking tray and pour boiling water until it reaches halfway up the side of the tin. Bake this tray for 50 minutes in the oven.
Remove the tin and the foil, and place the tin to cool for 30 minutes. Afterward, cover and chill overnight!
Invert, cut, and serve!
Mexican hot chocolate
A classic, no matter what time of year.
Pour milk into a saucepan and add cinnamon sticks. Stir for about 5 minutes.
Remove the cinnamon sticks, adding cocoa powder, vanilla, chili powder, and sugar. Remove from heat and whisk until frothy!
Pour into mugs and garnish with new cinnamon sticks. A perfect nightcap!
We hope you enjoy these recipes and find them to be crowd-pleasers! Vegetarian or not, these make for a delicious, well-rounded meal.
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