(Family Features) Mealtime traditions are common among many families, from taco Tuesdays to weekend favorites. You can add a special touch to one of the most popular traditions – taco night – with a plant-based twist.

With a nutty, smoky and truly meaty taste and texture, pecans offer a perfect plant-based protein to incorporate in favorite dishes like tacos. However, great taste is just the beginning – pecans pack a nutritious punch with a unique mix of health-promoting nutrients while shining in a wide range of flavor profiles.

To help make your next taco night all the rage among loved ones, the American Pecan Promotion Board recommends serving up authentic vegan taco recipes using pecans in place of meat in dishes like Smoky Chipotle Pecan Burrito Bowls and Vegan Pecan Al Pastor Tacos. Their texture makes them uniquely suited as a meat alternative that doesn’t sacrifice flavor so it can taste like the original and leave your family clamoring to keep taco night on the weekly menu.

Learn more and discover delicious plant-based recipes at eatpecans.com.

Smoky Chipotle Pecan Burrito Bowls

Recipe courtesy of Dominique Williamson on behalf of the American Pecan Promotion Board
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2-3

Pecan “Meat:”

• 2 1⁄2     cups water
• 1          cup pecans
• 1⁄2         cup portobello mushrooms
• 2          tablespoons taco seasoning
• 2          tablespoons tamari sauce or soy sauce
• 2          cloves garlic, minced
• 1          tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1          tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
• 1          tablespoon chipotle in adobo sauce

Pineapple Salsa:

• 1          pineapple, diced
• 2          Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1-2       jalapenos, diced
• 1          cup cilantro, finely chopped
• 1          red onion, diced
• 1⁄4        cup lime juice
•            salt, to taste

Chipotle Crema:

• 2          chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1          cup vegan mayo
• 3          cloves garlic, minced
• 2          teaspoons vinegar
• 2          tablespoons plant-based milk
• 1          teaspoon agave
• 1⁄2         teaspoon salt

1. To make pecan “meat:” In bowl of boiling water, soak pecans, covered, at least 30 minutes, or overnight in room temperature water for softer texture.
2. Drain pecans and place in food processor with mushrooms. Pulse mixture to texture resembling meat crumbles. Avoid over-pulsing.
3. In pan over medium heat, add pecan mixture, taco seasoning, tamari sauce, minced garlic, liquid smoke and vegan Worcestershire sauce. Cook 7-10 minutes then add chipotle in adobo. Cook 3 minutes.
4. To make pineapple salsa: Combine pineapple, tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, red onion, lime juice and salt, to taste.
5. To make chipotle crema: Combine chipotle peppers, vegan mayo, garlic, vinegar, milk, agave and salt.
6. To assemble bowls, place pecan mixture in bowl followed by pineapple salsa and chipotle crema.

Vegan Pecan Al Pastor Tacos

Recipe courtesy of the American Pecan Promotion Board
Prep time: 35 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4-6

•             Water
• 2          pounds chopped pecans
• 1          cup onion
• 8          cloves garlic, minced
• 8          dried guajillo peppers
• 2          tablespoons oil
•             salt, to taste
•             pepper, to taste
• 7          ounces (1 can) chipotle peppers in adobo

Toppings and Garnishes:

• flour or corn tortillas (6 inches each)
• cilantro
• diced onion
• lime
• pineapple

1. In bowl of boiling water, soak pecans, covered, at least 30 minutes, or overnight in room temperature water for softer texture.
2. Drain pecans. In food processor, pulse pecans to meat-like crumbles. Do not overprocess to pecan butter.
3. Finely chop onions, garlic and guajillo peppers.
4. In skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and saute onions until transparent, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and stir to combine.
5. Add chipotle peppers in adobo and cook 1 minute. Add crumbled pecans and stir well to combine.
6. Remove from heat and serve on tortillas.
7. Serve with cilantro, onion, lime and pineapple.

Source: American Pecan Promotion Board

(Family Features) Inviting loved ones and neighbors for a backyard barbecue is a timeless summer tradition bringing together favorite foods and friendly conversation. At your next cookout, remember to make the experience warm and welcoming for everyone, including those looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, by offering up a variety of options at the table.

You can make it easy to enjoy a meatless summer soiree loaded with flavor by using an option like Sweet Earth Plant-Based Chik’n, a ready-to-eat solution offering an excellent source of protein per serving, made with vegan ingredients. The pre-marinated options mean less time spent cooking and more time catching up with friends and family in the summer sun while eating delicious meals.

Perfect for enjoying in a variety of ways, it’s a bold and savory centerpiece in these Vegan Pulled Chipotle Chik’n Sliders that combine a sweet and spicy chipotle-maple sauce with fresh veggies for a saucy bite full of plant-based protein. Put a taste bud-tingling twist on fajita night with Jerk Chik’n Fajitas with Black Rice, an easy way to channel your inner chef and serve up a flavorful, plant-based meal.

Find more delicious plant-based recipes and products at sweetearthfoods.com.

Vegan Pulled Chipotle Chik'n Sliders

Prep time: 10 minutes 
Cook time: 10 minutes 
Servings: 10-12

• 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup veggie broth
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1pinch pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1/2 lemon, juice only 
• 1 package (8 ounces) Sweet Earth Chipotle Chik'n

• 12 vegan brioche slider bun

Vegan Spicy Mayo:

• 1/2 cup vegan mayo
• 2 tablespoons vegan sour cream
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely minced
• 2 teaspoons fajita seasoning 
• 1 lime, juice only

Optional toppings:

• 1 jar pickle chips
• 1/2 cup purple shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup jalapeno peppers
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1. In blender, puree peppers with ketchup, maple syrup, broth, allspice and brown sugar. Set aside.
2. In pan over medium heat, add oil. Once oil begins to shimmer, add onion and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally.
3. Once onions become translucent, around 5 minutes, add garlic. After 1 minute, add pepper puree blend to pan along with lemon juice and stir to combine.
4. Once mixed, fold in chipotle plant-based "chicken" and cook 3-4 minutes until heated through.
5. To make vegan spicy mayo: In bowl, mix mayo, sour cream, peppers, cilantro, fajita seasoning and lime juice.
6. Spread vegan spicy mayo on buns and add plant-based "chicken" mixture. Top with pickle chips, cabbage, jalapenos, carrots and tomatoes, as desired.

Jerk Chik'n Fajitas with Black Rice

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2-3

Marinade:

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper
• 2 tablespoons Jamaican jerk seasoning
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Fajita Fixings:

• 1 package (8 ounces) Sweet Earth Mindful Chik'n Strips
• 1/2 teaspoon avocado oil
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 1 small green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 yellow pepper, chopped
• flour tortillas, warmed
• black rice, cooked

Mango Salsa:

• 1 chopped mango
• 3 teaspoons lime juice
• 2 teaspoons chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 1 small red bell pepper, chopped

1. To make marinade: In blender, blend brown sugar, lime juice, soy sauce, oil, bonnet pepper, Jamaican jerk seasoning, garlic and salt and pepper, to taste, until smooth.
2. To make fajitas: Marinate plant-based "chicken" in jerk sauce for 1 hour.
3. In grill pan on stove over medium heat, heat oil. Cook plant-based "chicken" until heated through. In separate pan, add splash of oil and cook white onion, bell pepper and yellow pepper.
   Add plant-based "chicken" to veggies and cook 1-2 minutes.
4. To make mango salsa: In bowl, mix mango, lime juice, cilantro, red onion and red bell pepper.
5. Add jerk plant-based "chicken" and mango salsa to tortillas. Serve with black rice.

Source: Sweet Earth

(Culinary.net) Picture in your mind a warm bowl cupped in your hands, defrosting your fingertips after you just walked inside from a chilly afternoon. The bowl is heavy, full of hearty vegetables and spicy pepper that in just a few short moments will overwhelm your palate.

You dive in with a spoon, savoring every flavorful bite as you dip down to the bottom of the bowl searching for more to slurp up with every spoonful. Onion, red bell pepper and even corn all blended into not only a vegetarian meal but a chili-lover’s paradise.

You throw your sweater to the side of the couch as your body temperature begins to rise. You start to feel your energy return as you spoon a second helping into your bowl for round two.
Not only does this recipe for Chipotle Veggie Chili hit you with a wide array of balanced flavors, but there is a surprise hint of citrus added toward the end – lime juice.

Just to add a little more texture and vibrance to this dish, it can be topped with your favorite garnishes like guacamole, sour cream, jalapeno slices and cilantro.

This Chipotle Veggie Chili is simple to make, needing just one pot throughout the entire cooking process. It simmers for about 25 minutes while you unwind from a long day.

So next time you need a pick-me-up after a chilly day outside, give this one a try. The savory aromas and wholesome consistency make this chili a 10-out-of-10 and a crowd favorite.

Find more recipes perfect for cooler weather at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Chipotle Veggie Chili

Servings: 6-8

• 3          tablespoons olive oil
• 1          medium yellow onion, chopped
• 5/8       teaspoon sea salt, divided
• 1/4       teaspoon pepper, divided
• 2          garlic cloves, minced
• 1          red bell pepper, chopped
• 1          can (14 ounces) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1          can (14 ounces) red beans, drained and rinsed
• 1          can (14 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1          cup vegetable broth
• 1          can (7 ounces) chipotles in adobo sauce
• 2          cans (15 ounces each) sweet corn with liquid
• 2          limes, juiced
• guacamole (optional)
• sour cream (optional)
• jalapeno slices (optional)
• cilantro (optional)

1. In large dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Stir and cook 5 minutes until onion is translucent. Add garlic and red pepper. Stir and cook 8 minutes until soft.
2. Add tomatoes, red beans, pinto beans, broth, chipotles in adobo sauce, corn, remaining salt and remaining pepper. Simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened.
3. Squeeze lime juice into pot; stir. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, jalapeno slices and cilantro, if desired.