Mexican Gumbo (Vegetarian)

Mexican Vegetarian Gumbo is my all time favorite dish from Qdoba, a fast food restaurant serving Mexican cuisine. Other than rice, beans, soup and salsa, I usually load it up with all the vegetables they have such as corn, tomatoes, some lettuce and green peppers. I haven’t mentioned it in the recipe. But you can add your favorite grilled or fresh vegetables to your Gumbo and enjoy. Like the restaurant, I have prepared the required ingredients separately and mixed it together to make Gumbo. I am planning on making One Pot Gumbo. Will share the recipe soon. Though it is a bit time consuming to prepare everything separately, it is totally worth it. Try and let me know how you like it.

Ingredients:

• Tortilla Soup – 4 cups
• Cilantro rice – 2 cups
• Black or pinto beans – 2 to 3 cups
• Hot salsa – 1/2 cup
• Light or fat free sour cream – 4 oz
• Fat free Mexican cheese blend – 1 cup (optional)
• Guacamole
• Tortilla strips

Preparation of Tortilla Strips:

Cut 2 corn tortillas into thin strips of 2″ length. Spread it in a baking sheet and spray some oil or can spray and toss it well. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes at 400ºF (205ºc). You can also deep fry the tortilla strips in oil.

Ingredients for Cilantro Rice:

• Cooked brown or white rice – 2 cups
• Oil – 1 tsp
• Lime juice from one small lime
• Chopped cilantro – 1/2 cup
• Garlic clove – 1
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Cook a cup brown rice or white in water or vegetable broth. Vegetable broth gives a nice flavor to rice.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add finely chopped garlic and mix rice in it.
3. Add chopped cilantro, lime juice and a little salt. Mix well and transfer it to a bowl.

Ingredients for Black Beans:

• Black or pinto beans – 2 can (can substitute with black beans, soaked and cooked)
• Oil – 1 tsp
• Chopped red onions – 1/4 cup
• Vegetable broth – 1 cup
• Cumin powder – 1 tsp
• Lime juice – 1 tbsp
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a sauce pan and saute onions with a tsp of oil.
2. Drain and wash black beans and add it to a sauce pan along with vegetable broth over medium heat.
3. When it starts boiling, add cumin powder, lime juice and a little salt.
4. Cook for 2 minutes and turn off heat.

Ingredients for Hot Salsa:

• Tomatoes – 2
• Chopped red onions – 3 tbsp
• Chopped bell peppers – 2 tbsp
• Jalapeno pepper – 1 1/2 (seeded and finely chopped)
• A hand full of cilantro (chopped)
• Garlic cloves – 1
• Fresh lime juice – 1 tbsp
• Chili powder – 1/4 tsp
• Finely chopped scallions (spring onions) – 1 tbsp
• Olive oil – 1 tsp
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

Finely chop all the vegetables and mix it in a bowl with lime juice, oil , chili powder and salt. Pulse it in the mixer grinder for a couple of times. Refrigerate it for 2 hours or over night.

Preparation of Mexican Gumbo:

1. Take four serving bowls and add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of rice and beans followed by a cup of tortilla soup.
2. Add 2 tbsp of hot salsa and a dollop of guacamole, cheese and sour cream.
3. Top it with a few crunchy tortilla chips. Serve hot.
4. Each layer is flavorful and when you mix everything together, it will be wonderful.
5. Enjoy your homemade Gumbo.