Quick Prawn Tacos with Pineapple Salsa & Guacamole

Tacos are a family favourite around here with absolutely ANY filling but these prawn ones with zingy pineapple salsa and guacamole make for a really fresh and tasty change.

They are quick and simple to prepare so ideal for a midweek meal when there's less time. The below serves four and the salsa and guacamole can last in the fridge for a few days - but I doubt it'll last that long.

Quick Prawn Tacos with Pineapple Salsa & Guacamole

Here's how:

For the prawns:

• 350g king prawns
• Zest & juice of x1 lime
• x1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp hot paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp honey
• Pinch salt and black pepper

Pineapple Salsa:

• 60g pineapple (fresh, frozen or tinned works)
• 1/2 red onion
• 1 large red chilli
• big handful coriander

Guacamole:

• 1-2 ripe avocados
• 1 red onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tomato
• handful coriander
• Salt
• Juice of x1 lime

x8 Mini tortilla wraps

Firstly marinate the prawns in all of the above ingredients in a bowl and set aside for ten minutes whilst you prepare the salsa and the guacamole.

For the salsa, I simply add all of the ingredients to my Nutribullet and blitz for a thin salsa. If you prefer a chunkier consistency you could just chop everything or grind in a pestle and mortar. 

For the guacamole, the avocados are added to a mortar (or just use a hardy bowl) and add a generous pinch of sea salt and the lime juice. Dice the tomato into small chunks and finely dice the red onion and add to the mortar. Mince in the garlic and then roughly chop the coriander before adding both to the mortar then grinding with the pestle. I like a thick and chunky consistency for guacamole so only do to combine everything, but if you prefer smooth just do for longer. You can do with a fork and bowl too if you don't have a pestle and mortar.

Now in a pan add a drizzle of oil (olive, vegetable, rapeseed works well) and add the marinated prawns. Cook for approximately one minute on each side or until pink all over and remove from the pan. It's really easy for prawns for overcook so as soon as they're pink get them out of there to avoid rubbery overcooked prawns!

The tortilla wraps, I like to warm in the microwave for 30 seconds, then place each one into a toast rack (or you can place folder over a sauce bottle) for a minute to get the 'taco' style shape. 

Then pop onto a plate and load up with the prawns and serve your salsa and guacamole on the side or over the top. Enjoy!

Over Tex Mex style recipes I have shared include:

• Lamb Tacos
• Speedy Chorizo Nachos
• Prawn & Chorizo Jambalaya 
• Spicy Beef Quesadillas with Avocado Salad
• Easy Salmon Tacos
• Slow Cooked Mexican Beef

Lamb Chilli Tacos

This is such a fun family meal - there is something really enjoyable about using your hands to eat. 

I always have to make two separate batches of the lamb chilli - as Glen and I like a fiery chilli kick, whereas the girls like a milder version and I've given the advise below for the spicy one - but if you prefer a milder version, take out the jalopeno chillies from the chilli, and leave out the ancho chilli paste.

I always serve with a spicy tomato salsa (3 tomatoes, 1 red onion, 2 garlic cloves, 2 chillies, heaps of coriander, juice of 1 lime, dash of white wine vinegar, dash of honey, sea salt - all roughly chopped and blitzed in the Nutribullet). For the girls, they have just chopped tomatoes so they don't feel left out!

I use my homemade guacamole too which is 1 large (ripe) avocado, 1 red onion and 1 tomato both diced, minced garlic, lime juice, coriander, coarse sea salt - I smush this up with a pestle and mortar. 

I also always serve with sour cream, lots of grated cheese (combination of Cheddar and Red Leicester) and some tortilla chips - which go down well with the children.

Lamb Chilli Tacos

Here's how:

For the lamb chilli:

• 400g lamb mince
• 1 red onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 red pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp paprika
•  1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 heaped tsp chipotle paste
• 1.5 tsp ancho chilli paste
• 1 drained tin of red kidney beans
• 2 green chillies
• 60g dried sultanas
• 4 small squares of dark chocolate
• Salt
• White pepper
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 250ml chicken stock
• Juice of 1 lime

To assemble:

• Small tortilla wraps (I use the Rowan Hill ones from Lidl)
• Fry Light Spray
• 40g each Cheddar and Red Leicester
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• Guacamole (recipe above or shop bought is fine)
• Tomato Salsa (recipe above or shop bought)
• 1 big pack of tortilla chips

To make the chilli, firstly add a little olive oil into a large frying pan (I actually use a wok) and place on a medium heat. Dice the onion and red pepper and mince the garlic and add to the pan to saute.

Once this has begun to soften, add the lamb mince and season generously with salt and white pepper. Use a wooden spatula or spoon to break up the mince a little so it doesn't clump together as it cooks. I add the cumin and dried cinnamon to the lamb mince here too. 

Once the mince has browned off a little, add the tomatoes, the remaining spices, the oregano, tomato puree, chipotle paste, ancho chilli paste, the chillies, red kidney beans, sultanas, chicken stock, and the cinnamon stick. Give a good stir and then cook for about an hour on low. 

Once the chicken stock has reduced down a lot add the chocolate and the juice of the lime. You can either cook this ahead of time, or just as you need. Cooking for an hour helps to intensify the flavour and thicken up the chilli, but if you are short for time, 30 minutes will do nicely, just reduce the chicken stock by half.

To assemble, I add some Fry Light to a large frying pan and place on high then quickly fry off each tortilla wrap on both side. Then I use an empty egg box to place each tortilla in between two sections, which helps it to get it's taco shape. 

To dish up, I spoon in 1-2 tbsp of the lamb chilli into each chilli then scatter over some grated cheese and spoon over a little guacamole and leave the rest on a platter for everyone to tuck into. I keep all of the limes used throughout for the chilli, the salsa and the guacamole  and help to prop up the end tacos if they start to lose their shape. 

The amount should leave enough for another portion (the above serves 4) which is fab on a jacket potato, with rice, over tortilla chips for great nachos or with some salad.   

Cajun Salmon Tortilla Bowls (Slimming World Friendly)

This is a really fun and delicious dish for all the family; if you're not keen on Cajun Seasoning, you could use a mix of herbs and spices that you do enjoy too or a fajita spice mix if you prefer.

I make these with some gently spiced black beans, some stir fried vegetables and a tomato salsa with a little kick from green chillies. 

The below serves four (2 adults, 2 kids in our case) and if you're following Slimming World like myself, use the mini tortilla wraps from Weight Watchers Wholemeal Wraps so one counts as your Healthy Extra B Choice and the other can be synned at 6 syns which is well worth it for this meal.

Cajun Salmon Tortilla Bowls

Here's how:
For the Tortilla bowls:

• x6 Weight Watchers Wholemeal Wraps
• Fry Light

For the salmon:

• 1/2 side of salmon or four fillets
• 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning

For the veggies:

• 2-3 sprays of Fry Light
• 1 yellow pepper
• 1 red pepper
• 1 red onion
• 1 tsp Cajun Seasoning

For the black beans:

• Fry Light
• 1 tin of black beans in water 
• 1 red onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp chipotle paste

For the tomato salsa:

• 2 ripe tomatoes
• 2 green chillies
• 1 lime
• Some coriander leaves and stalks (to taste)
• Pinch salt
• Pinch black pepper

Begin by popping the oven on at 180 degrees and placing a piece of foil onto a baking tray.

Now take a cupcake or muffin tin, and spray x6 of the holes with a one spray of Fry Light. Now gently push a tortilla wrap into each hole, and then spray again. Once all are in, place into the oven for about 8-12 minutes, until the 'bowls' have taken shape and the wraps are beginning to brown a little. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Now place the salmon on top of the baking sheet, and spoon over the Cajun Seasoning; then use the back of the spoon to press into the salmon flesh. Place into the oven and cook for 12 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes.

While the salmon is cooking, chop the three red onions or you could use two large ones. One third needs to be popped into a frying pan or wok with a little Fry Light, and one third into a saucepan with a few sprays of Fry Light. 

Mince the garlic and add to the saucepan with the red onion. Then open and drain the tin of black beans and add to the saucepan with the cumin, chipotle, coriander and cinnamon and leave to cook down for ten minutes, stirring every few minutes. 

For the vegetables, just slice the peppers up and throw into the frying pan or wok and add the Cajun seasoning. Give a shake or stir up every few minutes. 

Finally make the salsa by simply chopping the tomatoes and placing into a bowl. Slice the chillies and add the remaining diced red onion and then season with salt and pepper. Add the coriander (or you could use basil or mint if you prefer) and squeeze over the juice of the lime. 

When everything is ready, place 1 tortilla bowl onto the children's plates, and two onto the adults. 

Begin by spooning in the black beans. Next layer up the stir fried spicy vegetables, and then flake on some large chunks of the Cajun spiced salmon. 

Garnish with the tomato salsa on the side and if you have some jalopeno peppers these add a nice kick. If the kids find it spicy, fat free yoghurt or sour cream would work to cool this down a little too. Enjoy!

Here are some of my other Slimming World friendly recipes I've shared since joining a month ago.

Mini Turkey Koftes
Simple Fish Stew
Slow Cooker Chinese Pork with Noodles
Chilli Crab Noodles
Chicken and Chorizo Penne

Easy Salmon Tacos

These are a great, quick and easy standby for a family dinner and they work for everyone - you can simply adjust the seasonings and fresh chilli accordingly.

I can have this meal on the table in a matter of twenty minutes, great for mid-week working days, and I don’t muck around making fresh salsas or guacamole for these nights. 

I add fresh chopped tomatoes, plenty of coriander, mashed avocado, some lettuce leaves and a load of sweetcorn kernels. As we are trying to reduce our ‘naughty’ treats in a bid to shift some weight pre-holiday (me and Glen not the girls) I omit from adding sour cream and instead dress with a little drizzle of 0% fat natural yoghurt. The final result is fresh, fragrant and delicious.

If you want to make them go further you can serve with some coriander rice or a bowl or tortilla chips and guacamole.

The below serves four.

Easy Salmon Tacos

Here’s how:

• Drizzle of vegetable or rapeseed oil
• X4 salmon fillets
• X4 tortilla wraps
• 2 tbsp All Purpose Seasoning (I use Dunne’s River)
• Handful lettuce leaves (I used pea shoots here but anything works)
• 3 tomoatoes
• 1 avocado 
• 2 tbsp cooked sweetcorn kernels
• Handful coriander
• 1 lime
• Few jalapeno pepper slices

Firstly coat the salmon flesh and skin side with the all purpose seasoning.

Drizzle the oil in a non-stick pan and place on a medium heat. Once it is has come up to temperature add the salmon fillets, skin-side down and cook for 6 minutes.

Now prepare the accompaniments.

Firstly place the four tortilla wraps into the microwave and cook for 20-30 seconds then place them all, with a fold on the middle hanging over some cans or bottles to try and get them in ‘taco shape’. It doesn’t matter if this doesn’t work and it doesn’t always.

Now roughly chop the tomatoes and the lettuce leaves and set aside.

Halve the avocado, remove the stone and scoop out the flesh and place into a small bowl. Mash with a fork and season with sea salt.

Prepare the sweetcorn - I use tinned so this is just a case of opening and draining.

Once the salmon has had the six minutes, you should see the colouration of the fish at the sides, it should almost be there. I then turn the fish to cook on the flesh side for 1 minute - but if you like your salmon more cooked through, increase this time accordingly.

Remove the salmon fron the pan and place on a board to rest for a minute. In the meantime, start building your tacos.

Easy Salmon Tacos

I begin by smearing on a spoonful of smashed avocado down the centre of each, then adding the lettuce, tomatoes and sweetcorn.

Now cut the salmon fillets into 3-4 pieces and place onto each taco, then finally top with as much coriander as you’d like, a squeeze of the lime juice and jalapenos for those who’d like them. Squeeze over a little low fat yoghurt 

or go nuts and have sour cream. Enjoy!

A London Lunch No. 10: Wahaca – Mexican Street Food

So I’m heading to Mexico this weekend for this first time and on a recent holiday retail jaunt to Westfield Stratford with the boyf, we decided to get in the mood for the Mexican cuisine by heading to Wahaca.

The rapidly expanding chain has Thomasina Miers' name to it, and has been a firm casual favourite of mine for a few years – having spent many a lunch hour in the Covent Garden branch. This was the boyfriend’s first time at Wahaca and he has been quickly converted to this style of eating small plates as and when they arrive at the table, according to the varying cooking times.

We ordered some Guacamole with Tortillas and a Citrus Fizz each whilst we mulled over the menu. The guacamole was chunky, flavourful, citrusy and with that all-important chilli kick – absolutely delicious. The Citrus Fizz is like an innocent version of a mojito – sparkling water over crushed mint and lime – utterly refreshing and moreish.

We chose six small dishes – all priced very reasonably under the £4.50 mark. The first is my favourite – I cannot enter Wahaca without ordering it – the Pork Pibil Tacos. You get three mini soft corn tacos topped with the most delicious slow-cooked pork which is in a salty, smoky and meaty juice and topped with sweet, pickled pink onions and zingy coriander. It is completely unpretentious but one of the most satisfying little plates of food. We also had the Chicken Tinga Tacos – these again were topped with shredded, slow-cooked chicken in a barbecue style sauce topped with chilli and crema – and it was sensational.

 

We tried the Ceviche Tostadas as well, a first for me at Wahaca, and whilst it was pleasant enough, I probably wouldn’t repeat. Fresh and fragrant it was, but having eaten such great alternatives at Ceviche and Lima recently, it just didn’t live up to those standards. There was very little flavour from the scallops which was disappointing – Glen loved it though, so maybe give it a try.

Another first for me was the Potato and Chorizo Quesadilla. This had a lovely smoky taste running through from the chorizo and the melted cheese made it feel quite naughty but very, very nice. I have to say this, like a good slice of pizza, tastes oh so much better if eaten with your hands – it’s one of those kind of dishes.

Our final two dishes were the Marinated Chicken Taquitos and the Green Rice – both of which were good. The taquitos had the most fragrant, moist and tasty chicken inside and were topped with a refreshing citrusy green salad and a generous topping of crumbly and delicious Lancashire cheese – gorgeous. The rice is a beautiful looking little plate; blitzed coriander and onion make for the unmistakable flavours and colours of Mexican cuisine – once again showing that a simple dish can be so, so good. 

‘Simple yet satisfying’ is the mainstay of Wahaca and it never disappoints for me. I have enjoyed many a lunch at the various outposts and I’m sure I will continue to do so. There are tons of Mexican restaurants and burrito bars in London these days and I have tried a good selection, but what Wahaca has above most that I’ve tried, is you don’t come away with that awful bloated feeling and I think this had a lot to do with the quality of the ingredients and the freshness of everything used. Oh and with change from £30 for a very enjoyable and filling lunch for two I just don’t think you can go wrong.

If anybody has any recommendations for foodie or otherwise things to do in Cancun or the Riviera Maya in Mexico please do comment below.