Taco Salad with Homemade Cheese Sauce
More leftovers!! We used up the remaining cookout ground beef for tacos tonight. I have always preferred taco salads, so I made a pile of taco fixin’s rather than soft tacos and ate the tortillas on the side. When I was growing up we used to have taco night a lot – with little bowls of all kinds of toppings. My mom used to put plain yogurt on hers instead of sour cream and that’s how I learned to eat plain yogurt!
Tonight’s pile included:
- Spinach + Bibb lettuce
- Green + yellow pepper, sauteed
- Chopped tomato + a tiny bit of avocado (they got lost in there)
- A small serving of ground beef
- A few crumbled flax chips
- A dollop of greek yogurt
- And the highlight: Nutritional Yeast Queso Sauce!
Yes, the queso sauce made the recipe. I’ve been wanting to try nutritional yeast (click here for more info) since I’ve seen it on some of the blogs and when I saw Jenna make it into the queso sauce I buckled down and bought it. I found it in bulk at EarthFare. It’s about 30 kcal per tablespoon and reminds me of what the powder of Kraft Mac n’ Cheese would taste like if you ate it plain. It’s VERY cheesy and is probably best made into a sauce, although I think people do “sprinkle” it on things.
My stash in a jar. Kind of like fish food!
Smothered on the tacos. The husband agreed it was the best part!
I ended up only eating 1.5 of my tortillas – I got full!
With a can of seltzer. This dinner was about 425 kcal, 14 grams fiber and 30 grams protein.
After dinner the husband and I went walking. It’s quite cool out there, but was nice for digestion 🙂
Dessert = one of Ally’s leftover Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes!!
Berry Crisp Take II
SUCCESS!!! I tried my first single serving fruit crisp in this post but it didn’t turn out that great. I put the berries in frozen and it took a really long time to cook and ended up being a soupy mess with a dry topping. This time I used pancake batter as a finer topping – mixed with some oats for texture – and heated the berries first. Perfection!!
Combine:
- 3/4 a serving of buttermilk pancake mix (could reduce to half to lighten recipe)
- 1 oz milk
- A splash of egg white
- About 3 tbsp rolled oats
- Sweetener if you like – I added a sprinkle of splenda
Defrost and HEAT 1 cup frozen berries in an oven-proof container so they are hot. Drain off liquid. Pour topping over. Bake for 10 minutes at 400*.
About 235 kcal, 8 grams fiber and 9 grams protein. Quite a snack!
Goodnight guys 😉
Jessie says
Hey everyone, i had wonderful success with this the first time and met some awesome people so im going to put this out there one more time in case anyone missed it!
Those of you with facebook if you want to add me search under Jessie Popelka! (picture of me and 2 dogs)
Especially those of you in Lincoln who may be looking for a workout buddy!
But everyone else is welcome as well!
Have a great night!
polly says
Very yummy looking mini cobbler, Kath! I got some new mini over proof bowls and I now must try this! I wonder if Hodgson Mill makes pancake mix with no buttermilk? Anyway… creative and yummy as always. Thanks!
p.s. Have you gotten a new yoga mat yet? Just wonderin’ 😉
BethT says
I bought some nut. yeast this weekend and thought the same thing – fish food! I also bought some Soy Delicious choc + PB and, um, I wish you had never brought that idea into my life :p I cannot believe it’s so good, and yet dairy free. YUM!
polly says
Found it! Hodgson Mill makes Buckwheat pancake mix with NO milk! I could use almond milk I bet. Has anyone tried the Buckwheat mix? Thanks.
Sidi says
How much time did it take to educate yourself into eating and planning yourself so perfect? Congratulations! I admire you!
Kath says
Polly,
Still no yoga mat yet 😥 I’ve had the buckwheat and it was good!! I think I like the buttermilk more though.
K
Nick says
Awesome idea for the tart, I wonder how that would work with the cottage cheese pancake batter….Speaking of which, I’ll be trying them with a fat free ricotta sometime this week. I suppose I’m surprised it comes out tasting like cheese? Pretty impressive. Looks tasty.
– The Peanut Butter Boy
VeggieGirl says
Your leftovers always look as good as “new food” – yum!! And wow, that berry cobbler treat looks so scrumptious!!
Have a wonderful Monday evening :0)
hk says
Yea, I’m so excited that you perfected your crisp recipe!! Berry crisp is my ultimate favorite desert, I can’t wait to make a single-serve dish of it for myself, yum~ thanks 🙂
Lindsay says
mmm berry crisp looks delish!
Romina says
Mmm, that sauce looks amazing.
Once you get the hang of it, nutritional yeast is amazing when you sprinkle it on anything!
Ally says
Oo, I’ve been interested in the cheezy sauce! I’m attempting cashew cheese later this week!
Dessert looks great 😉
eliza says
just out of curiosity how many calories are in those cupcakes? for those in ny – you have to try babycakes! amazing cupcakes, healthy (for cupcakes) AND they sell cupcake tops – just the best part! also, is there any chance you could post the banana pudding recipe? thanks!
Amanda @ Down Home Dieting says
Berry cobbles looks yummy. I can’t wait for summer berry picking to begin.
Hannah says
Oh my. That dessert is making my mouth water…
Kath,
I was just wondering if you’ve ever tried the orowheat double fiber english muffins. They don’t really taste like english muffins, but are very doughy and delicious! I can easily eat them plain for a snack!
Kelly T says
oh man, that crisp looks amazing.
i tried to make a rachel ray cheese sauce recipe and it just turning into lumpy watery cheese. no good.
Charley says
Did you all see what they were saying about Kath over on eatlikeme today? Pretty funny stuff.
bikergurl says
Like someone else said already, I’m so glad you perfected that cobler! Now I can make it too 😆 I’m such a copycat! Seriously though, I’ve been craving it since the last time you posted it.
Cara says
Wow that looks amazing. I am going to have to look into this nutritional yeast thing.
Annalise says
Hello all,
I would love to hear more about that queso sauce. I love, I mean really love, real cheese queso. I don’t think comparing my love of cheese to Kath’s love of oatmeal would be out of order, so I would like to know how authentic to real cheese it tastes. Any “funk” to it? thanks!
Jana says
Oh man, taco night with little bowls of different toppings – that just brought back some memories! That used to be one of my favorite dinners as a kid… we used to have taco night once a month or so, I think. Good times 🙂
Ruby Red Vegan says
Oh my goodness, Kath, you cannot even imagine how I excited I am to hear than a non-vegan loved nutritional yeast! I love it too, but I just thought that it was an acquired taste. And that anyone who eats cheese would just hate it. That must be a good recipe. 😉
Serena says
So funny, we had taco night with little bowls of toppings at my house growing up too. With crunchy shells from the Old El Paso taco kit and shredded iceberg lettuce. But yum, definitely brings back memories!
Teddy says
i love nutritional yeast on my pasta or garlic bread… it makes it taste like i’m eating something “bad”
Teddy
Tara says
NEW KERF SPARKTEAM CREATED!
I created a team page on Sparkpeople for those of you who want to join the team. Sparkpeople is free…you track your food and fitness minutes. It’s pretty fun! Anyway, Ithought a KERF team would be fun. I hope you join. My username is Bean25
The url is
http://teams.sparkpeople.com/kerf
Kath, I hope it’s ok that I put in one of your oatmeal pictures. If it’s not, let me know, I can change it. I don’t want to violate any copyright laws!
Jill says
Mmmmmmmmm, I need to make that queso! I’m not a huge fan of cheese though, does it taste different? It sounds less “super chedder” more nutritional yeast flavor – which I love.
Julie says
Kath-
I just discovered you blog–and what a great one it is!
I love all of your healthy food choices and your positive outlook on life! :]
Oh, and I love nutritional yeast sauce…yum! Nutritional yeast is very yummy sprinkled on popcorn as well.
Kath says
Nick ,
While I love cottage cheese, I’ve never been a big fan of ricotta. I always put CC in my lasagna instead. But if you like ricotta, I bet the pancakes would be amazing!
eliza ,
I have no idea how many calories were in the cupcakes because I didn’t make them. But they weren’t that big and were vegan, so they weren’t loaded with butter!
Hannah ,
I don’t think my store has that brand, but I have had the Thomas Double Fiber ones and they ARE doughy! I had totally forgotten about that. Now that I live with a baker, we don’t buy store-bought breads as much, but I might have to get some again 🙂
Annalise ,
If you’re a cheese afficianado, you might not like this. It’s not a perfect sub for queso. Has a little bit more of a burned taste, which is how I would describe the nutr. yeast’s flavor. But I bet you could ADD a little read velveta or cheddar to meet in the middle? But you should definitely try it!! I cut back on the butter subs. and only added a tsp to lighten it – it was perfect.
Charley ,
That really herts!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM
Tara ,
Fun!! I hope you get some members!! I’m not sure how many Sparkpeople readers there are.
Julie ,
Welcome to KERF 🙂
Kath
oatmeal says
I’ve been really curious about nutritional yeast as well! Have never heard about this stuff til this year, and I thought they rather look like cereal flakes :p
And wow the ‘berry crisp’ looks amazing! I’m definitely going to have to give this a try, I have a whole bunch of frozen blueberries I need to use and I love that this can be eaten as dessert, breakfast, or a snack!
Suzanne says
Do you ever have trouble with people critisizing your food choice as too healthy? I eat really healthily (not even as healthy as you though! you’re amazing!) but have found that lately ive been choosing less healthy foods just to seem less healthy, even though i crave the healthier food! any suggestions?
Suzanne #1 says
oh! there’s another Suzanne on here now!
ELIZA –
I have been to Babycakes! My friend and I went there and we tried one of almost everything there! We sat in their cute little corner area and ate a cupcake each. But we boxed everything else and took it home – and pigged out the rest of the weekend.
But all their items taste light and ‘healthy’….and their frosting is just the right sweetness. Magnolia cupcakes are just too sweet!
Kath says
Suzanne ,
I have only been criticized by my blog’s critics (not by anyone in real life). But I think the reason they criticize is they don’t see the days that I do splurge, such as recent sushi dinners, huge plates of banana pudding, too much wine, etc. I eat very healthy 90% of the time, but my 10%’s can be quite extravagant.
Kath
Dorothy says
So funny Kath. I saw Jenna’s post and made the vegan queso too… it’s delicious! Also my first experience cooking with nutritional yeast. I found this recipe for vegan mac & cheese on ‘fat free vegan kitchen’ blog, and I’m anxious to try it, especially since trying the queso. Just thought I’d share.
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/10/easy-macaroni-and-cheeze.html
Mallory says
You call an extra 2oz pour of wine & a serving of banana pudding (made with lowfat and sugar free ingredients) quite extravagant?
andrenna says
I made the nutritional yeast queso today and I thought it was great! The first few bites were not perfect, but then it got so tasty!
robyn says
I came across your great blog. How can I get your banana peanut butter cupcake recipe? I am trying to have a healthy birthday party for my 3 year old. I would love any ideas. Thanks, Robyn
rachelini says
Nutritional yeast is FABULOUS on popcorn. I don’t even like popcorn, but if there’s yeast involved…