Sweet & Spicy Chipotle Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Wilted Kale & Garlic Maple Aioli

I'm going to begin this post with this, I love tacos. I absolutely love them. They're quick, they're filling, they're so versatile and they're downright delicious. Especially when you've got this amazing vegan garlic maple aioli to put on them. This sauce alone could make anything taste good. It's definitely a classic go-to in my kitchen.
Okay, "Here's the deal, Sparky." I'm not going to play around like I'm on top of things all the time. We get a farm box every other week and sometimes we don't get to everything right away. So sometimes we have a case of weird-wilty-fridge-kale. Nothing wrong with this.
Don't panic. Keep it together, man! This is the hippie lovin' life. This is the real deal. You are certified Hilzey-cool, now. This recipe is perfect for that wilted green you haven't gotten around to using!

This particular dish is gluten-free as well as vegan, but that's a given. I hope this inspires you to have weekly taco night in your home. Or even have some friends over for dinner! Tacos all around! They will be licking their fingers and their plates and asking (strangely with large eyes not making contact) if you "have any more tortillas..." while they raid your kitchen for more aioli, greens and that spicy beautiful cauliflower. The recipe doubles easily, so don't worry about it so much. Okay, now. Okay. Let's get weird!


Prep: 15 minutes ||  Serves: 2  || Total time: 35 minutes

What you'll need:
1 small cauliflower head or about 1 cup cauliflower broken or cut into tiny florets
1-2 teaspoon chipotle powder
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tsp liquid aminos (should be a staple in your kitchen)
1 bunch kale, about 2 cups finely chopped (stems and all, that's right... them are healthy for you!)
1/2 small sweet onion, minced
4 corn tortillas
2 Tbsp vegenaise or vegan mayo
1/4-1/2 pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp raw coconut vinegar or apple cider vinegar
garlic powder
sea salt
extra virgin olive oil
micro greens or lettuce
Daiya or nondairy cheese for topping (optional)



- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Break or cut cauliflower into tiny florets and place in a glass or ceramic bowl.
Drizzle 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil over the cauliflower. Sprinkle on chipotle powder, anywhere from 1-2 teaspoons depending on how spicy you'd like. As well as 1/4 tsp sea salt. Stir together.
*I used 2 heaping teaspoons because I really enjoy the contrast between the spicy roasted cauliflower, earthy greens and black beans and sweet dressing. 
When your oven is ready, place the bowl uncovered in the oven (you'll get beautiful caramelization on florets this way) and bake for about 20 minutes.

- In a large pan, add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add onion, precut kale and liquid aminos.
Sautee on medium heat for 5-10 minutes or until onions turn translucent and kale looks wilted and deepens in green color. *You can use any type of green you have on hand for these tacos. Collards, mustard greens, variations of kale, whatever you want. Just get into it.
At this point, add 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp raw coconut vinegar or apple cider vinegar, black beans, and 1 Tbsp water to skillet.
Stir, cover, and turn to low heat. Leave it alone for a bit. You're done here.


Garlic maple aioli:
2 Tbsp veganaise or vegan mayo
1/4-1/2 tsp pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp lemon juice

- Whisk all ingredients together and set aside.


- At this point you can probably take out your cauliflower to let cool. Try one floret. It should be crispy but allover quite soft, not crunchy.
- Place your corn tortillas directly onto the oven rack at 400 degrees. I like to do them for about 2-3 minutes on each side so they warm and brown a bit, but aren't too hard.
- Take out your tortillas when they're the way you like them. You'll know. Don't think too much about it.

Now it's time to plate! Lay down aioli first, then plate your greens, onion and bean mixture. Then your gorgeous chipotle cauliflower!
Top with Daiya cheese and micro greens or lettuce.
*For added health and omegas, you could add avocado, crushed walnuts, hemp seeds or sunflower seeds! 




- Hilzey