Protein Fiesta Bowl

thehealthychew

6 years ago

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, which, in my language means all the best foods make a grand reappearance onto the plate. Mexican cuisine has so much to offer in the taste profile. Even in the nutrition profile most of the meals are busting with fresh produce, protein, fats and enough herbs to make you want to grow a micro garden.

Growing up in Texas, we always had Tex-Mex at full accessibility, something I think my friends and I all took for granted. Some of the best Tex-Mex food can be found in and around Texas. I also grew up with my mom making some Mexican dishes that were handed down from my father’s side of the family. From Chilaquiles and Albondigas to Calabacitas and Birria tacos, my absolute favorite dish as a kid was Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (just your basic garlic shrimp and rice). True Mexican cuisine is one of my favorites to enjoy when it’s done right, meaning it has to be fresh and it has to contain lots of vegetables such as peppers, onions, cilantro, garlic, avocado, corn, tomatoes, and, of course, don’t forget the fresh-squeezed lime. The bright colors of Mexican dishes grab my attention like a kid in a candy store.

If you ask a true Mexican Foodie, there is a Grand Canyon-wide of a difference between Tex-Mex and Authentic Mexican food. The secret lies in the ingredients, where they come from and how they are prepared. Although I’ve never traveled to Spain or Mexico, or any Latin country for that matter, I know when I taste good Tex-Mex and I know when I taste true authentic Mexican food. It’s hard to find even here in Texas, but every once in a while I’ll stumble across a wonderful restaurant or recipe that unlocks some of those cultural trade secrets.

This Cinco de Mayo Protein Bowl obviously is not a true authentic Mexican dish, but I enjoyed playing with the taste profile and adding fresh flavors to make you think you might be crossing the border into a fiesta. Roasting the jalapeño and garlic in the oven before pulsing them into the tomatoes gives the fresh salsa an extra layer of taste. It gives a subtle garlic taste without overpowering the dish and the jalapeño (seeds and all) provides a hint of heat but nothing more.

This high-protein and healthy fat fiesta bowl is perfect after a long day of hard work. Whether that hard work is physically demanding or mentally exhausting, our bodies need to recuperate with the right foods in our bodies. Protein sources such as steak, beans, and quinoa all offer unique nutrients along the side of the necessary macronutrient, protein. Furthermore, healthy fats such as avocado and coconut oil aid in absorption, digestion, and metabolism of the body. Although both beans and quinoa contain some complex carbohydrates, this dish is not heavy in simple carbohydrates such as white rice. Thus your energy and satiety levels will be maintained much longer after consuming a dish like this instead of simply devouring the irresistible chips and savory queso.