Turkey Tacos with Shitake, Poblano, Mango Salsa and Avocado Cilantro Sauce
1 · Aug 9, 2018· Leave a Comment
Sorry for the short hiatus guys, I was in Jamaica with The Husband on our traditional August trip. We had an absolute blast! I, of course, ate my way through the weekend, tasting and trying everything I possibly could.
Jamaican food is my type of food. It’s full of spices, local produce and influenced by lots of different cultures including Spanish, Irish, British, African, Indian, French and Chinese. It inspired me, and when I got home, I couldn’t wait to get into the kitchen.
So after work yesterday I stopped and hit the grocery store. I had a plan for taco Tuesday!
I could spend hours in a produce section. I swear.
Anyway, the mangoes in Jamaica were on point! I mean just perfectly perfect, sweet and juicy. Lucky me, they are in season and the store had some beauties!
I wanted to make a Jamaican-inspired salsa, but I couldn’t find any scotch bonnet peppers. They only had Serrano, but it worked, adding a little heat to this super fresh salsa.
Next, I needed a sauce. So, I decided to use avocado with some yogurt and cilantro for a fresh, bright note on the taco.
Finally, the meat. I was originally thinking beef but only had ground turkey in the freezer. Well, that ended up to be a happy accident. The ground turkey worked really well with the mushrooms.
Normally I use cremini, but I decided to be adventurous and go with Shitake. I’ve never cooked with them before. They added a wonderful texture and flavor to the meat.
I also added some onion, poblano peppers and spiced it with chili powder, cumin, and allspice as another hat tip to Jamaica.
The result was fan-freakin-tastic!
We assembled the tacos and ogled them for a bit. They were just beautiful!
Even the leftovers I packed for lunch were total food porn.
I ate that this afternoon and I swear it was even better than the night before.
What did the family think?
Well, The Husband declared it our best taco night yet. I was shocked as he usually snubs his nose at ground turkey and prefers beef or even fish for his tacos.
The 13-Year-Old loved the salsa, but I’m not sure he was blown away by the whole arrangement as much as The Husband. He could do without the sauce.
The 7-Year-Old, well, he’s the reason we celebrate Taco Tuesday. He loves them, and I can typically get a variety of veggies and such in him by just offering grated cheese. He’ll put a little of everything I make, top it with cheese and go to town. He’s not into fruit at all so the salsa was a no-go, but he ate some cubed avocado on the side.
I’ll take it.
Oh! and I have some of that salsa leftover. It’s going on some seared tuna for my lunch tomorrow!
Mango Salsa
Prep 10 mins
Inactive 15 mins
Total 25 mins
Author Roni Noone
Yield 4 servings
A simple salsa with just the right amount of heat balanced with sweet fresh mango.
Ingredients
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use (at least 15 minutes).
Notes
I wanted to use a scotch bonnet pepper as an homage to Jamaica, but they didn't have any at my grocery store so serrano it was. Any small hot pepper would work.
Keep the seeds in the hot pepper for extra heat
Make sure the mangoes are as ripe as possible. You want them super sweet and juicy!
Cuisine Mexican, Jamaican
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size ~1/2 cup
Amount Per ServingCalories 45% Daily ValueTotal Carbohydrates 11 g
4%
Dietary Fiber 2 g
8%
Sugars 9 g
Protein 1 g
2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Avocado Cilantro Sauce
Prep 10 mins
Total 10 mins
Author Roni Noone
Yield 4 servings
A fresh, creamy, avocado-based sauce, perfect for spicy tacos!
Ingredients
1/2 avocado (~50g)
large handful of fresh cilantro (~20g)
1/2 oz lime juice (1/2 fresh lime)
1 oz (28g) nonfat Greek yogurt
3 oz coconut water
healthy pinch of salt
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a small blender or bullet. Process until smooth.
Notes
I had coconut water, so I used coconut water. If you don't, don't stress. Almond milk or even straight up water would be fine to thin it out.
Cuisine Mexican, Jamaican
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size ~1 tbsp
Amount Per ServingCalories 30% Daily ValueTotal Fat 2 g
3%
Total Carbohydrates 3 g
1%
Dietary Fiber 1 g
4%
Sugars 2 g
Protein 1 g
2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Shitake, Poblano Turkey Taco Meat
Prep 10 mins
Cook 15 mins
Total 25 mins
Author Roni Noone
Yield 4 servings
A fun twist on taco meat using shitake mushrooms and poblano peppers and a touch of allspice!
Ingredients
3.5oz package of Shitake Mushrooms diced (~100g)
3 Poblano Peppers chopped (~150g)
1 sweet onion chopped (~100g)
1 lb lean ground turkey (93%)
2 pinches kosher salt
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp allspice
juice of 1/2 lemon
juice of 1/2 lime
Instructions
Wash and prepare the mushrooms, peppers, and onion.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the turkey with the cut vegetables. Add the salt and spices, cook until the peppers soften (about 10 minutes).
Squeeze in the lemon and lime juices and scrap any yummy brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Notes
I love the shitake in this, but if you can't get your hands on them, Baby Bellas (cremini) or button mushrooms would be yummy too.
I had a half each of lemon and lime because of the other dishes I made alongside. If you only have one or the other just use what you have. The meat needed a splash of acid to help bring it together. Make sure to cook it a bit after you add it to tone down the citrus taste a bit.
Cuisine Mexican, Jamaican
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size ~2/3 cup
Amount Per ServingCalories 190% Daily ValueTotal Fat 9 g
14%
Total Carbohydrates 8 g
3%
Dietary Fiber 2 g
8%
Sugars 2 g
Protein 24 g
48%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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