Spicy, Smoky Bean Cakes with Lime Slaw and Charred Avocado

These hearty vegan black and kidney bean cakes are spiked with chipotle and handfuls of sharp vegetables, cilantro, and lime, baked until crisp, and served on a bed of slaw. Charred avocado on top adds a bit of smoky, creamy flavor.

Crunchy Fried Fish Tacos

Crispy fried fish tacos served with spicy mayonnaise, cabbage, and pickled red onions.

Charred Asparagus Tacos With Creamy Adobo and Pickled Red Onions

Meaty tacos are great, but who doesn't love charred sweet asparagus in the springtime? An intriguing mix of white and green charred asparagus gives complexity to these tacos.

Fried Plantains With Black Beans, Roasted Poblanos, Avocado, and Pickled Red Onion

[Photographs: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt] Patacones are the Colombian equivalent of Caribbean tostones—double-fried green plantains. Just like cooking a french fry, you start with a starchy chunk of green plantain, cook it once at a low temperature, then cook it a...

Grilled Marinated Heart of Palm Tacos With Spicy Cabbage Slaw (vegan)

Hearts of palm take on a deep nutty-sweet flavor when grilled over high heat, with a great moist, texture with a light crunch. They make perfect taco fare.

Cooking Light's Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream

These Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream from Bruce Weinstein's and Mark Scarbrough's Cooking Light The Complete Quick Cook aren't quite as quick as opening up that yellow taco dinner box complete with hard shells and seasoning packet, but they're certainly worth the ten or fifteen minutes of extra prep time in tastiness alone.

Black Bean, Avocado, and Egg Tostadas

If you've never had tostadas, then you're in for a treat. That is, if you like things that are crunchy, salty, and topped with eggs and avocados.

Crispy and Flavorful Avocado Fries

Crunchy with golden brown panko on the outside and buttery within, avocado fries are a low-effort, high-reward snack that come together in less than 30 minutes.

Quesadilla Fritas (Fried Quesadillas) With Pickled Jalapeños, Cilantro, and Chipotle Crema

A vegetarian option filled with cheese and jalapeños.

Vegan Chickpea Cakes with Mashed Avocado

These vegan falafel-esque patties made with chickpeas and bulgur wheat have a crunchy breadcrumb and are served with mashed avocado for a rich and creamy texture.