Turkey Tacos Filled with Veggies | Mexican Recipe with Old El Paso for Cinco de Mayo

Tomorrow is 5th May, of Cinco de Mayo if you speak Spanish. It is the date that is observed to commemorate the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French, back on 5th May, 1862. So what better way to celebrate than with some Mexican inspired recipes?! Mexican food is one of my absolute favourites. It is filled with colour, flavour, aromas and good stuff. I love that you can be relaxed with your choices and just whack it all in a bowl or plate.

Old El Paso have set some bloggers a challenge to create some recipes ready for tomorrow. Tacos are always a winner with our family so I thought I would go with something along those lines. We especially like the Stand ‘n’ Stuff tacos – they are soft tortillas rather than the crunch taco shells. The taco shells are the worst and make such a mess. One bite and it snaps in half and spills everywhere!

I love to cook with Turkey Mince so thought I would adapt a recipe that is a staple in our home.

To make Turkey Tacos, stuffed full of vegetables (enough for four people), you will need:

• 500g lean turkey mince
• 1 large courgette
• 1 large carrot
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• olive oil, for frying
• 1 Old el Paso Stand ‘N’ Stuff Taco Kit, Smoky BBQ flavour
• salad of your choice, to serve
• Old el Paso Condiments of your choice, to serve

What to do:

1. Grate the courgette and carrot and crush the garlic coves. Put in a frying pan with a spoonful of olive oil and the turkey mince. Cook until the mince has whitened off (not browned like mince).

1. If you are using lean turkey mince there shouldn’t be any excess fat. If there is, drain it from the pan.

2. Add the smoky BBQ flavouring from the Old El Paso taco kit. Mix it in along with 50ml of water. Leave to simmer for about 10 minutes.

3. Prep all of your salad so it is ready to serve.

4. Spoon the turkey mix into the soft taco shells and serve with salsa, salad and any other condiments that you would like.

That is literally it! They are so quick and easy. It takes less than 20 minutes to make, only needs one pan and it is so good for you. Turkey mince is low in fat and makes a nice alternative to beef mince. The ‘hidden’ veggies are perfect to get lots of vitamins and your ‘five-a-day’. It makes the tacos more filling too.

What I like about tacos (and Mexican food in general) is that everyone can make it to how they like it. Making it an easy meal for entertaining or for a family with all different tastes.

• If you have a spice lover, they could top with the Old El Paso hot salsa and the green jalapeños.
• If you have someone that prefers it a bit cooler (the kids in our house), use the non-spicy salsa sauce and then top with sour cream.
• If you have someone that loves fresh flavours, they could add the guacamole to give the tacos a fresh and creamy taste.

If you decide to serve this dish, or another Mexican inspired dish with a big group of family and friends, just chop up you salad and serve them in bowls. So chop up some tomatoes, lettuce, grate some cheese and slice cucumbers and perhaps spring onions. Serve on the table in bowls, along with the condiments, and then everyone can serve themselves as much or as little as they would like. Mexican food is relaxed and chilled. The appeal is the flavour and colours; not the appearance necessarily.

Do you have any favourite Mexican inspired recipes?

This post is an entry to the HIBS100 Cinco de Mayo recipe challenge sponsored by Old El Paso. The range of Old El Paso products is available in all major supermarkets. To find out more, visit www.oldelpaso.co.uk