Jack Taco Salads

I have been a plant based vegan for almost ten years. Can you believe that? Ten years and I have NEVER cooked with jack fruit. I've had it at restaurants. But I've never cooked with it on my own. I am the stingiest person I know, and have never been willing to buy it. I also only ever knew it came in precooked packages like BBQ Jack fruit etc. when I go to buy tofu at the store. I've never been big on fake "meats" etc. but my friend told me how you can buy a good sized can of jack fruit in brine at Trader Joe's and cook it up to look like any type of pulled meat you want, so decided to give it a whirl.

Things I learned.

1. It is true. It works. And it is super easy.

2. Do NOT use the liquid it is canned in as part of the water you need to cook the jack fruit. It is canned in brine. (I wasn't even thinking about that), so it took a lot of spices, and some salsa to cover that briny taste.

3. Don't cook things in salsa or it will be too spicy for your three year old.

4. Cut the wedges into smaller pieces so they cook faster and shred easier.

What I did.

1. I chopped some onion and garlic and sauteed them in a little oil.

2. Then I just dumped the jack fruit into a pan over medium high heat and used the brine to cook until soft. Don't use the brine. Start with water or vegetable broth from the get go.

3. I used my kitchen shears to put the wedges from core to edge into smaller pieces so they would cook faster and shred easier.

4. I kept adding water as it would cook out and lots of spices and a little salsa to cover that briny taste.

5. As I cooked it, I just kept breaking apart the pieces with a wooden spatula until it resembled shredded chicken. And you can break apart the pods/seeds inside the pieces. No need to waste anything.

All in all, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this meal. It really added some pizzazz to a regular meal. It is a simple addition that your taste buds will thank you for.

Ingredients

1 can Jack Fruit in brine

Water

Half Onion, diced

2 Cloves Garlic, minced

1 tsp Cumin

1/2 tsp Chili Powder

1/4 tsp Paprika

1/4-1/2 c Salsa

Directions

1. Drain and rinse Jack fruit and cut into smaller chunks from core to edge.

2. Dice onions and saute in a little bit of oil, I used Safflower oil, until soft. Once soft add garlic for a few minutes.

3. Place rinsed jack fruit in a pan with about 1/2 c water in with the onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add more water as needed.

4. Once the jack fruit is soft, start to shred with a spatula or fork and stir in spices. Add additional spices or salt and pepper as needed. You can also add some salsa if you want it to be spicier.

5. Serve with beans and rice in tacos or a taco salad.

6. ENJOY

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