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In a way, I feel slightly guilty posting about avocados.

I have a refrigerator brimming with the local bounty of summer and I’m eating something grown from far away.

I knew I wanted to make the switch to eating in season after reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.  While I’ve never been in one place long enough to really cultivate my garden, I’ve been blessed to have a wonderful CSA that has provided me with what I need through most of the months of the year.  I’m planning on canning and freezing more this summer in hopes of getting through winter and ultimately weakening my dependence on international produce.

However, I still have my one or two guilty pleasures.

While living in midwest provides great soil, it does not provide a suitable climate to grow citrus and avocados.  I love the flavor limes and lemons provide to many dishes so I often have a couple stocked in my refrigerator.  And avocados?  They are my guilty pleasure.

Ever since traveling to Costa Rica three years ago, I can’t get enough avocados.  However, because I have so much lovely summer produce, I limit my purchasing of avocados to about once a month.  Every so often I get a craving that I just can’t over come.

These tacos are a result of that craving.

I’m in the process of really learning about spices.  This recipe calls for whole coriander and cumin seeds but you can easily substitute pre-ground spices.  Also, these tacos can easily be made vegan by leaving off the cheese and subbing in your favorite sweetener for the honey.

 

Spiced Black Bean, Grilled Avocado, and Goat Cheese Tacos
 
Prep time

Cook time

Total time

 

Author:
Recipe type: Vegetarian Main Course
Serves: 2

Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • ½ tablespoon cumin seeds
  • pinch dried pepper flakes
  • ½ cup black beans, with liquids
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • juice and zest from ½ lime
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • ¼ cup goat cheese
  • 4 corn or flour tortillas*

Instructions
  1. Preheat Grill
  2. In a dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast the coriander and cumin seeds for 2-3 minutes. Seeds should be fragrant and beginning to brown. Place in a pestle with dried pepper flakes and crush until spices are ground.
  3. Return spices to the skillet and add ½ cup of black beans and liquids. Heat over medium low and let cook until liquids have cooked out, anywhere from 5-10 minutes. Taste and adjust pepper if needed.
  4. Take avocado and slice in half. Brush with the one teaspoon of olive oil and place cut side down on grill. Let cook until lightly charred. Remove and carefully slice avocado out of skin.
  5. To assemble tacos, place ¼ of the black bean mixture in the center of the tortilla, layer avocado and goat cheese on top. Finally, whisk together juice and zest from half a lime along with honey. Lightly drizzle over taco filling.

{After writing this post, I decided that it was time to share Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and I’m currently holding a giveaway on my facebook page for two lucky people!  Be sure to pop over and check it out!}

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  • sarah kieffer

    Erin, these look amazing.
    And, I love Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It’s such a good read.

  • Nicole Peter

    I LOVE whole coriander and cumin seeds. I first discovered them when I started dabbling in cooking Indian food. This looks delicious!

  • http://londonbakes.blogspot.com Kathryn

    We had pretty dull tacos last night and now I really wish we’d waited a day and had these! Beautiful Erin, as ever.

  • Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

    Love these! Grilled avocado? I’m in!

  • gallivantinggirl41

    OH MY GOODNESS, you’re are officially my hero–this recipe will make my weekend (I’ve got three avocados almost ripe on my counter).

  • http://ramblinggallivantinggirl.blogspot.com/ Julia (gallivantinggirl41)

    I also wanted to offer up this avocado recipe: http://pinterest.com/pin/254171972690259904/ . I’ll trying it out this weekend too.

  • Brooke (CrackersontheCouch)

    I’ve got a love hate relationship with avocados in that I love them and I hate that they cost so much up here in the Pacific Northwest! I got spoiled in So. Cal. when they were 50 cents a piece during the peak season. Sometimes they’re $3 each up here! AUGH!

  • http://www.greensandseeds.com/ Elizabeth

    Erin, I know just what you mean. I feel guilty every time I pick up an avocado at the co-op – but sometimes I just can’t help myself. And Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is in the Barnes & Noble wishlist right now (if only I wasn’t starting school in the fall and could actually spend money on something)

  • http://thecollegeculinarian.blogspot.in/ Katie

    Never feel guilty about eating avocados. :) These tacos look amazing. Goat cheese + avocado +beans? YES, PLEASE!

  • amanda_wholesomefamilykitchen

    I came across your blog via Pinterest & then saw this recipe. Yum! Avocado + black beans + goat cheese? They are some of my favorite foods! I’ve added this recipe to my “recipes to make soon” file. :)

  • http://www.currylime.com/ amy@currylime

    Lovely vegetarian tacos- thanks for the idea!

  • http://theblogdaysofsommer.wordpress.com/ Sommer

    Found these on Pinterest, and made them last night. They were so good, and I was super excited to have my leftovers for lunch today!

  • Rachel Gergely

    I am excited to make these tacos! I agree with a previous commenter. Do not feel guilty about purchasing avocados. They are such an excellent source of heart healthy fats, especially if you have a diet that is low in fish (salmon, tuna, etc.). Plus, they are delicious!

  • San

    I may just have found what to have for dinner…

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  • http://melgetsscrappy.blogspot.co.uk/ Mel J

    Just made these – delish thanks for sharing! Only difference is that I couldn’t find black beans in England and so I used refried and added some paprika. The combo of goats cheese and avacado was delish!

    • naturallyella

      So glad you liked them!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/MrsLuvLeigh Leigh Ann White

    Yumm! The honey lime dressing is sweet and tangy. There are so many different flavor levels, from the sweetness of the honey to the sharpness of the goat cheese.

  • annie

    I plan to make these for sure as I too am an avacado addict!

    One very good recipe is avacado, grapefruit and green onion salad. Or blood orange and avacado. A pinch of salt and dash of pepper and yummy!!!

  • Karen | The Food Charlatan

    Wow these look so amazing. I will be looking for the goat cheese to go on sale!

  • Paige

    What a combo of my favorite things. Must try soon! And I too, say you can’t feel guilty about buying avocados I also make a citrus avocado salad – grapefruit, avocado, feta cheese, toasted sunflower seeds and/or pepitas, homemade poppyseed dressing – some folks like to add red onion, I don’t but I do add strawberries blueberries or blackberries in season. One of my friends raises goats and make the best goat cheese – when I can afford it, I buy it.

  • http://www.wisconsinmade.com/ Amanda

    I think I found what I’m having for dinner, yum!

  • Suzie

    I made these last night and was disappointed… but I must have done something wrong. I warmed the ( organic canned black ) beans in their liquid as suggested but they were firm and dry… overcooked? and the seasonings didn’t pan out because I used ground so was unsure about the exchange rate… I love all these flavors so I want to make it right… but it was bland and blah. Help!

    • naturallyella

      Oh no! I would say don’t cook them for as long (while I suggest you cook out the liquid, don’t be afraid to stop it short.) As for the seasonings- I would use 1/2 tablespoon of each cumin and coriander, but taste while the beans cook and add more if needed. I’m also a little light on the salt, so you may want to add a pinch or two more! Hope this helps!

      • Suzie

        Thanks, I’ll give it another try!!

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  • http://sheepyhollow.wordpress.com/ Jenny

    YUM! This is a must-try for me!!

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  • http://twitter.com/ktnlo katie anello

    all of my favorite things literally rolled into one.

  • Jessica

    I have made these 3 times now – - amazing every time! love.love.love.

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  • Laurie Knauf

    I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle too. What a great book! I didn’t expect to learn so much!

  • Blaire

    I substituted lemon pepper for the lime juice and just drizzled a wee bit of honey on top and it turned out delicious! Maybe not as zesty but definitely good.

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  • Katie

    I pinned this recipe awhile ago and finally got around to making it tonight. Wow! It was delicious. We ended up making an entire can of beans and I just adjusted the spice accordingly. My husband and I have had a difficult time finding vegetarian recipes that are full of flavor and easy to make. We will definitely be making this again and sharing with others. One question – can you better describe how to slice the avocado?

  • Stacey

    Best recipe I have tried from Pinterest!!! We enjoyed it so much my husbanded requested it again the next night!!!

  • Haley

    Any suggestions on what to serve it with? I can’t really decide. I was thinking kind of a southwestern salad, but I don’t know. What did you guys have it with?

    • elalderson

      I’ve served it with a cilantro rice before or grilled corn slathered with cilantro butter (I kind of like cilantro :) I think a salad could be great too with black beans, peppers, and a nice lime vinaigrette. Hope this helps!

  • http://www.edibleperspective.com/ Ashley

    I love the simplicity of these!!!

  • http://twitter.com/MeatballsM Meatballs&Milkshakes

    Just pinned it for later this week! Can’t wait to try it out, the photos are so beautiful!

  • Alex @ delicious-knowledge.com

    In a very weak moment at the store this weekend I bought 8 of avocados and needed some inspiration on what to do with them! I usually just eat them whole or smeared on bread. I love this taco idea, very easy! I think I am going to sub the goat cheese and add some salsa verde. Looks delicious!

  • http://twitter.com/familystylefood familystyle food

    Hi Erin – Your bookshelf selection looks exactly like mine! Oh, except my books are piled up in various places around the house rather than on a shelf :-)
    I love all the vegetables in your recipes – the more the better, especially avocados. Lovely site! Cheers, Karen

  • Chelsea@naturalsweetrecipes

    Your site is adorable!! SO glad we found you. These taco’s look divine!!!