Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick
We’ve been fans of Jason Wyrick and his vegan cooking since he told his “I was a junk food vegan” story in the pages of Edible Phoenix many years ago. His latest effort, Vegan Tacos, is not just a rec...
The mixed mushrooms are the stars of this taco, so I leave them fairly unadorned so their flavors can shine. Oyster mushrooms give the taco a heavily browned flavor; the shiitakes add earthiness; and the creminis a sort of mellowness, all working together to provide a complex flavor in every bite. The taco is topped off with roasted habanero crema for a piquant bite. For less bite, omit the habanero. These tacos can be a little light, so I sometimes add a cup of cooked black beans at the end of the recipe to make the filling heartier. Heat level: 7.
Ingredients
SERVINGS: Makes 6 tacos.
Filling
- 1 guajillo chile (to make guajillo powder) or 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups oyster mushrooms, chopped into big 2-inch pieces
- 10 to 12 small fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and cut in half
- 10 to 12 cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tablespoons chopped fresh epazote (optional)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 cup vegan crema or diced avocado
- 1 roasted habanero (optional)
- Vegan queso fresco or raw pine nuts
- 6 (5- to 6-inch) corn tortillas
Instructions
1. Heat a dry skillet over a medium heat. Add the guajillo and toast it for 30 seconds on each side. Use a spatula to press it flat on the skillet to maximize the area that gets toasted. Remove the stem. Grind it into powder and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Stir in the oyster mushrooms only, then let them cook for 1 to 2 minutes until they begin to brown. Stir again, and let them sit again. Continue to do this until they are greatly reduced in size and are well browned and crispy. This will take 10 to 12 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium. Add the shiitakes and cremini mushrooms. Sauté until soft. Add the garlic, epazote (if using), reserved guajillo powder and salt and sauté another 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
3. In a blender or food processor, purée the roasted habanero (if using) with the crema and transfer to a bowl. Warm the tortillas. Fill each taco with the mushrooms, then top with the prepared crema or avocado and finish them off with a sprinkle of vegan queso fresco or pine nuts.
From Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick, (Vegan Heritage Press, 2014). Used with permission from the publisher.
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