Ultimate Vegan Tacos

Step 1

Heat the water and Better Than Bouillon in a medium saucepan until barely simmering, whisking to dissolve the BTB. Or, heat in the microwave until very warm.

Step 2

If there are a lot of dusty soy curls crumbs, strain those in a fine-mesh sieve, then measure them out.

Step 3

Soak the soy curls: Add the soy curls to the hot broth and push down to submerge. Remove the pan from the burner. Soak for 10 minutes, stirring a few times throughout. Drain the soy curls in a colander and let cool off a bit. While they soak, make the Simple Guacamole (and/or salsa of choice).

Step 4

Squeeze out the liquid (once they’re no longer super hot): Take one handful of soy curls and cup them between both hands. Positioned over the sink or a bowl, give one firm and long squeeze until the broth goes from a steady stream to droplets. Set aside on a cutting board and repeat. You should have squeezed out a fair amount of liquid (~heaping ⅓ cup or 90 mL).

Step 5

Slice the thicker soy curl pieces lengthwise so they’re ~ ¼” wide / 6 mm (or just roughly chop them), as this helps the soy curls crisp up more and cook evenly.Note: If short on time, skip this step.

Step 6

Batter the soy curls: To the soy curls in the bowl, add ½ tablespoon of tamari, then toss with your hands or a silicone spatula. Add another ½ tablespoon tamari and toss again. Add the last ½ tablespoon of tamari and toss well. Then, add the cornstarch and several cracks of pepper and toss again until well-coated.

Step 7

Pan fry the soy curls: Heat a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of oil for 2 minutes. Once shimmering, add the soy curls and stir to coat in the oil. Stir every 2 minutes, stirring closer to every 90 seconds toward the end of cooking, until browned and crisp on the outside, for a total of 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 8

While the soy curls are cooking, temper the Taco Seasoning.Mix together all the ingredients for the Taco Seasoning in a small bowl. Heat your smallest saucepan over medium heat with 1 ½ tablespoons of oil.After a minute or two, or once shimmering, add the Taco Seasoning. Stir almost constantly for 30 seconds, or until very aromatic. Immediately take off the heat and pour into a medium bowl to cool slightly.

Step 9

Once the soy curls are done pan-frying, transfer to the bowl with the tempered Taco Seasoning and toss to coat the soy curls. Taste, adding a pinch of salt as needed.

Step 10

Warm the tortillas: Heat your frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes. Add a couple tortillas and heat until warm and they puff up a bit; repeat. Or, simply warm in the microwave.

Step 11

Assemble: Spread some Simple Guacamole onto each tortilla: top with seasoned soy curls, and salsa of choice (using a slotted spoon if there’s a lot of liquid). Serve with lime wedges to squeeze on top.