Not Your Tia's Tacos

I think we all know those people who are really excited about hot sauce. I have a medical condition that now makes me have allergic reactions to spicy items (sad, I know, because I used to LOVE hot, hot, hot, and load up my plate with anyone's auntie's spiciest tacos). So now I am THAT person who adds liquid smoke to everything. The selling points are that it's gluten-free and low sodium.

Here's an opportunity to make tacos a little more interesting. If you need more flavor, add more flavor. Start low and slow. If you want a kick, add some hot sauce or a few pepper flakes, or even a chopped serrano pepper. But this is just to cover the basics.

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients for Not Your Tia's Tacos

• 5 chicken thighs, cooked, cleaned, and diced
• Corn from one cob OR 1/2 cup frozen sweet corn
• 1 15-ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 4 oz can green chilis
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• Liquid smoke, approximately 10 drops
• Salt to taste
• Fresh romaine leaves for serving

Directions for Not Your Tia's Tacos

1. Thoroughly cook the chicken thighs and then remove any extra fat and dice the meat.
2. In a pan, add the chicken, corn, beans, green chilis, and paste.
3. Slowly add the water so all ingredients are just covered.
4. Add the cumin, powder, and liquid smoke.
5. Simmer until all ingredients are hot and the water is absorbed.
6. Add the salt to taste.
7. Serve on rinsed and patted dry fresh Romaine leaves to act as taco shells.

Note: Add more veggies for an even healthier meal. Zucchini squash, carrots, diced cabbage and avocado would be great additions; just make sure the avocado is sliced or mashed fresh on top, not cooked in.

No gluten. No dairy. More fiber. Still tasty.