Recipe: Portobello Chipotle Tacos with Avocado Sauce and Toasted Pepitas

These tacos can be prepared in less than 30 minutes and make for a perfect Meatless Monday (or any other day) dinner.

'Pepitas' is the Spanish culinary term for the pumpkin seed. They are a nice addition to a vegetarian dish as they are a good source of protein. I found pepitas with the other nuts at our local Trader Joe's.


Portobello Chipotle Tacos with Avocado Sauce and Toasted Pepitas

Serves: 4 (Serving size - 2 tacos)
Adapted from: There's a Newf In My Soup

Ingredients:
1 pound portobello mushroom caps, gills removed and thickly sliced
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic minced
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper

1 avocado
2 tablespoons low fat or fat free sour cream
Juice of 1 lime

8 corn tortillas, warmed
1/2 cup pepitas, toasted (optional)
Favorite salsa, homemade or prepared (optional)

Directions: 
Heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add half of the portobellos and cook, stirring often, until tender and browned and very little moisture remains, approximately 8-10 minutes. Remove mushrooms to a plate or bowl. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan and repeat the cooking process with the remaining mushrooms. Return first half of mushrooms to the skillet and add the garlic and chipotle chile. Cook, stirring constantly, for another minute. Turn off heat and stir in the cilantro. Salt and pepper to taste. 

While mushrooms are cooking, make the avocado sauce. In a food processor or blender combine the avocado, sour cream and lime juice. Blend until smooth. Pour into a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

To serve, top each tortilla with 1/8 of the mushroom mixture. Top with avocado sauce, toasted pepitas and salsa.