Take MexiCAN'T back to MexiCAN

Hey peeps.... sorry it's been a while, was touring around with a new friend from out of town but I have some new stuff to share.

Many know I'm not big on Mexican food. While I enjoy the flavours, I find Mexican food in the states tends to be really heavy (unless it' s been cooked by Rick Bayless), but after a day in wine country with my new friend Barbary and with Brady I decided to have some peeps over for Mexican't.

If you're trying to cut back calories and eat healthy, but enjoy Mexican food, this is definitely the dish for you... and it's way fun.

So what I served: Ground Turkey tacos and Pulled pork tacos, home made plantain chips with guacamole and a peach dessert (summery)

What I used for the Tacos:

• Red Cabbage - in this case whole red cabbage leaves will substitute taco shells. They provide the crunch you're used to and make a lovely little container for all the goodies that go in a taco, plus red cabbage is VERY good for you and low calorie, carbs and sugars.
• Ground Turkey
• Pork Shoulder
• Your hot peppers of choice (jalapeños are most traditional)
  
• Lettuce
• Shredded cheese
• Sour Cream

I left the pork cooking all day in the crock pot with some white wine, 3 japaleño peppers, bay leaf and a bit of water. (salt & pepper to taste) When we got back from wine country the pork was uber tender and you can just pull it apart with the fork so I placed that in a dish

The ground turkey you can cook as you would ground beef and add your usual taco seasoning mix, though I tend to only use 1/2 the packet because it is loaded with sodium. I tend to add a little tequila while I'm browning the meat and also some whole chillies.

Once your 2 meat options are cooked put both in different dishes. Shred your lettuce, and separate some cabbage leaves so your guests can use them as taco shells. have your shredded cheese, and sour cream out as well

For the Fresh Salsa

• Tomato
• Onion
• Cilantro
• Lime
• Vinegar
• Thai chillies
• Salt
• Pepper

FINELY chop your onion (yellow or vidalia work best), chop the tomatoes, cilantro and mix them in a bowl. Add a wee bit of salt and pepper. Squeeze in 1/2 a lime and about 1/2 tsp of plain vinegar. Add chopped thai chilli or jalapeño if you like som kick.. mix that up and have that at the table for your guests to add to the tacos so everyone can assemble their own taco situation as they like with either ground turkey or pulled pork. You can, as I did, offer one salsa with hot chillies and one without in case your guests don't care for heat.

For the Guacamole:

• Tomato
• Onion
• Avocado
• cilantro
• Siracha
• Salt
  
• Pepper

The guacamole is pretty much same as the the salsa except I add a ton of avocado... and mix it up and also include siracha sauce to give it that kick I fancy. This I serve as an appetizer or a side dish with baked green plantains. And the plantains are easy... get 2 or 3 green plantains, peel, cut them in 1/2 and then slice them length wise so you end up with long flat strips. Brush them with a wee bit of olive oil and sprinkle with a touch of salt. Bake for about 30-40 min at 400° and you'll have chips to go with your guacamole.. yummy! These are a big hit.


For Dessert:

• Fresh Peaches
• Butter
• Dark Rum
• Vanilla extract
• Black pepper
• Cinnamon
• honey
  

Slice your peaches into about 1" slices, sprinkle them with a touch of black pepper and cinamon. place in the oven and bake at 350° for about 20 min.
While they are baking, in a sauce pan melt 1/2 a stick of butter on medium heat, add 2 tbsp of creamed honey or whatever honey you like and the vanilla extract... once that's all emulsified, stir in 1/4 cup of dark rum and turn up to medium-high.. reduce about 1/2 way. When your peaches are done pour the sauce over the peaches and TADDA. You can serve with vanilla ice cream for a contrast in temps.

We enjoyed some lovely white wine with these tacos... a nice Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay both work well with all these flavours. We find a nice cold beer works as well if you like.

Hope you get a chance to try this out at home!!!!!

ADIOS!