You Don't Know Jack About These Tacos!

Notice something a little different? It's not seitan or tofu on these tacos but it's most definitely home-made. Could it possibly be jackfruit!? Of course it is, but don't worry about any fruit or durian flavors being added to it - I used young canned jackfruit in brine and made sure to wash it at least six times before draining it. It adds a meaty texture but not quite a meaty flavor that I enjoy. Paired with the Navajo fried (and baked) bread and bean paste with bits of corn and minced onion, it's absolutely delicious. The flavors of the south definitely come through, and the home-made seasoning for this had a slight Doritos taste to it and just a touch of heat from the cayenne.

(Vegan Chicken Ingredients)

• 1 can of Young Green Jackfruit in Brine
• 1 pkg Taco Seasoning (recipe follows)
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Garlic Clove
• 1 Dry Bay Leaf
• 4 cups of Cold Water
• 3 tbl Oil (of your choice)

(Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe)

• 1 tbl Cayenne Pepper
• 1 tbl Ground Cumin
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Oregano
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• 3/4 a tsp of Granulated Sugar
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Iodized Salt

(Bean Paste Recipe)

• 1 14 oz can of Black Beans
• 1/4 cup of Corn (your choice on the type
• 3/4 cup of Cold Water
• 3 tbl of Oil
• 1 Dry Bay Leaf
• Salt to taste

(Navajo Fried (and Baked) Bread:)

• 2 cups of Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 a tsp of Iodized Salt
• 1-1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 cup Cold Coconut Oil
• 3/4 cup Warm Water

(Directions)

• For the Vegan Chicken: Wash and press the jackfruit pieces in a colander about six times and then place them into a slow cooker with two cups of water, the bay leaf and the garlic clove for about two hours.
• Once they start to fall apart, take them out and shred them with two forks (you may need a small knife as well). If the end is still hard you can put it back into the Crockpot for a few minutes, and then use one fork to chop that up. If the top part is harder to shred, you can just use your knife to cut it apart.
• Put the shredded jackfruit into a colander and wash them a few more times, making sure to press them after each washing and set it aside while you pour the water out of the Crockpot.
• Add the last two cups of water into the Crockpot and cook the jackfruit for about 10-15 more minutes or so, then begin to prep your taco seasoning.


• Seasoning/cooking the vegan chicken: Take the jackfruit out and drain it one more time before adding it to a pan of your preferred oil over medium heat. Let it crisp up a bit before adding in half of your seasoning, then let it crisp up a bit more before adding the rest.
• Let it cook to your liking and move it to a small dish so that you can use the pan to cook your beans.


• For the Beans: Drain and wash your beans then add them to a food processor with some of the water, once they are liquefied, move to a separate bowl and repeat with the rest of the beans and water.
• Once the consistency is to your liking, fry a bay leaf in the oil over medium heat and after about 30 seconds you can add your beans.
• Once the beans have started to cook you can add the corn and heat it up thoroughly. Move it back to the bowl and salt to your liking.


• For the Navajo Bread: Mix the dry ingredients together then flake in your coconut oil. Once it is fully incorporated, add the water and blend it together before wrapping it in plastic wrap and placing it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
• While that is happening, preheat the oven to 400 degrees (if you want baked) and prep your rolling area and rolling pin.
• Pull out the bread after the thirty minutes are up and cut it into quarters, then roll the bread out as thinly or as thickly as you want (for crispness. Then decide if you want the bread to be baked, fried, or both
• If you want fried, then fill a pan about half-way with oil over medium heat and wait for it to heat up. Carefully place your rolled out dough into the pan with the oil and let it cook completely. You may need to flip it with some tongs but everything should work well.
• If you want baked bread, then turn a pan upside down with some oil and place it into the oven until it heats up completely.
• Toss the baked bread onto the pan for about 5-10 minutes, and then flip it when the other side has turned brown.


• Take the bread out when ready and spread the bean paste on, sprinkle some chopped onions onto it and cover it with the delicious jackfruit.
• Enjoy!