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Smoked Paprika Tempeh Tacos w/ Roasted Corn Salsa
Kale Black Beans

I love smoked paprika! If there is any spice that I would take on a dessert island it definatly would be smoked paprika. The aroma, the slight hint of heat and the beautiful color can not be beat by any other spice, at least in my book. So, when a recipe calls for chipotle chilis or say, ancho chilis and I am at a loss for those in my pantry, I will easily substitute smoked paprika…the depth it adds is incredible, which brings me to Wednesday nights Date Nite Dinner.

We made Smoked Paprika Tempeh Tacos. I had a nice brick of Tempeh that I sliced and marinated in a simple sauce of smoked paprika, achiote paste, garlic and lime juice then grilled in a skillet. As another filling for the tacos we made another very simple dish of roasted corn salsa that added another layer of flavor to the tempeh. I had some kale in the crisper drawer of the fridge so I decided that the greens would be great mixed with some soy sausage and black beans…kind of like a Latin inspired Hoppin John. We topped the tacos off with a bit of Queso Fresco and a few cilantro sprigs and ate ourselves into smoky, savory oblivion.

Combine the smoked paprika, achiote paste, garlic and lime juice in a food processor or blender and puree.

Cover the tempeh slices with the marinade and set aside for a 1/2 hour.

In a large pot or dutch oven cook crumbled veggie sausage until browned.

Add the drained and rinsed black beans, adding just a bit of water so they don’t stick.

Add the washed and chopped kale to the beans. Cook until most of the water is gone, turn off the stove and put a lid on.

Dice 1/2 an onion and 1/2 a red bell pepper.

Saute the onion and pepper until golden and translucent.

Add the corn (we used frozen) and the juice of 1/2 a lime and saute until the corn gets a bit browned.

Heat the tortillas for a few minutes in the oven and then plate up the tacos and beans…this meal could only be made better by having it with a good Mexican beer with a wedge of lime or a glass of bold red wine.