Beet Chalupas.And some changes in Health Nut Challenge



The inspiration for this eyeful delicacy was the Beet Chalupas at WhatsCooking.Pleasing to the eyes and the soul,these are no match with the greasy fried Chalupas on the menu at the popular fast food joints.Chalupas meaning boat in Spanish is popular Mexican food,if you've loved making homemade tortillas then these should be easy,rolled with refried(not really fried) beans ,Chapulas make a quite a filling variation of tortilla.Topping can be customized as per liking,I used beet greens along with hot pepper salsa and fresh avocados.

Recipe Beet Chalupas

Ingredients
2 cups Corn flour\ masa de harina(I used Quaker)
1 cup beet puree(see here how to cook beets)
1 cup water(little more if needed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
For Filling
2 cups re-fried beans(recipe follows)


Method
Prepare the dough by mixing all the ingredient until smooth and well incorporated.
Cover and let sit for at least an hour.
To make Chalupas
Heat a cast iron skillet or thick bottom pan on medium heat.Take a small handful of dough,place about a tablespoon of the refried beans mixture in the center(see the pictures).Close the open end to form an oval shape,press this between sheets of plastic ,press using a flat thick bottom pan until evenly flattened.At this point you could use your rolling pin over the plastic sheet just to even out the edges.Carefully peel out from the plastic and roast about a minute on each side,spread about a teaspoon of oil for each chalupa.
To serve top with fresh chopped green salad with hot pepper salsa and sliced fresh avocado.

I like to eat these folded.

Refried Beans
2 cups cooked pinto beans(or use red kidney beans )
1 teaspoon of your choicest spices,I used chilli powder and cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon olive oil

Method
Heat the oil and add the spices and beans,warm the beans and mash them using potato masher or in a blender.cool before stuffing in the chalupas.


Roasted Hot Pepper Cilantro Salsa

Ingredients:
2 Poblano peppers or Bell peppers
2 Jalapenos peppers,chopped
1 big clove garlic,peel and chopped
1 teaspoon cumin(zeera) powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1/2 cup of fresh cilantro

Method
Char the pepper on high heat in a broiler or grill.Turn occasionally with tongs, until skin is blackened, 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to sweat in a brown paper bag for a minute, then peel the skin and remove the seeds.
Blend the roasted pepper with Jalapenos,garlic,cilantro,cumin ,oil and salt until smooth.

A more kid-friendly Variation.

Minus the hot salsa the chalupas can be served with sprinkle of low fat cheese,tomatoes and some chopped greens .Heat under hot broiler for a minute or 2 to melt the cheese.
The Beet Chalupas are off to Monthly Mingle :Mexican Fiesta ,hosted this week by Jenny@AllThingsEdible


Click-BiColor

Pink and green ,these Chalupas are my entry for Click: Bi-colour, exciting Photography event at Jugalbandi


Health Nut Challenge Change of Rules

The last date of the event has been extended to September 20,as I'm going to get busier than expected in the month of August.Also I'm allowing old entries and one picture of all the 3 courses is not a requirement,send 3 separate pictures of each course ,which ever is possible.Check out the rest of the rules at the announcement page here.Happy Cooking :D

Comments

Ann said…
Wow ultimate health food:) looks colorful, creative and Yum!
CurryLeaf said…
Lovely and colourful.I love chalupas and the beet version is new to me.Love it Yasmeen.I too like it folded.
teresa said…
these are so pretty, I love the color, delish!
Ivy said…
Your beet chalupas looks so good. Great click.
Angie's Recipes said…
This recipe belongs to one of those must-keep ones....great idea to use red beet! I love to use spinach, carrots, celery leaves to make noodles, bread, etc. but haven't tried with red beet yet...for sure get a chance to try them! Thank you very much!

Angie's Recipes
Pooja said…
Oh this looks fabulous! Healthy n colourful :)
Ashwini said…
Wow my favourite chalupa...This is so healthy and colorful.Yumm and very tempting.
Lisa Turner said…
I love absolutely everything here. A new one to me, but I really want to try this, so I guess I will have to make it. I want to make everything you post, honestly!
Priya Suresh said…
Very colourful and really healthy, love the beet version, really very new to me!
Sarah Naveen said…
Looks very colourful,and tempting!!!!
Pooja said…
And I do have a doubt reg the challenge..Should the dishes be published in a single post or can they be posted separately?
Raks said…
A healthy snack,with such a cute look:) Cilantro salsa looks delicious!
Yasmeen said…
Thank you all :D
Pooja,since we are making a complete meal,keep all the 3 courses(dishes) together in one post.
suvi said…
love the beet version of chalupas, great click.
Sharmila said…
I have always liked your beet recipes Yasmeen. I have taken up eaten beet ... but I don't get the greens here. I have corn flour ... so this is a must try the next time I get some beet. Thanks for such an easy recipe. :-)
Anonymous said…
Thats a brilliant idea Yasmeen..Chalupas looks so tempting and colorful..with all those filling its a complete energiser I am sure !!
Bergamot said…
looks simply amazing. the beet red color looks good and healthy too. This can be healthy and tasty lunch box food for my fussy daughter :-)
Nithya said…
Looks absolutely yummy. :) nice colors.
Nithya Praveen said…
Awesome healthfood yasmeen!
Shama Nagarajan said…
healthy yummy recipe dear
Shama Nagarajan said…
healthy yummy recipe dear
LOoks yummy and so colorful
lubnakarim06 said…
Oh wow.....awesome colors........
jayasree said…
Coclofurl and healthy food. Lovely.
Parita said…
Thats simply amazing yasmeen! love the color ans so healthy too!
Sanghi said…
Lovely colour.. Yummy and healthy!
Deepthi Shankar said…
these look so colorful & yumm
Lena Jayadev said…
Yasmeen........ :)this is eye catching.. :)healthy recipe.. :)
Hari Chandana P said…
looks so cute and tempting.. healthy too..
sangeeta said…
this is a treat for the eyes..
Unknown said…
what a vibrant colour...healthy and looks delciious..i really love your recipes..
Terrific and so beautiful! Those chalupas look extremely good! What freshness!

Cheers,

Rosa
Shri said…
The chalupas look so beautiful.Very healthy yet colorful!
umm muhammad said…
Yum those look so interesting I would have never thought to use beets
Sunshinemom said…
That is just beautiful besides being so healthy!
Muneeba said…
You are one crazily creative mama ... are those are some seriously GORGEOUS chalupas! Did the kids like 'em? How could they not - that color draws me in like a bug to a lantern!
Richa said…
awesome colors! and awesome creativity! now we can chuck all those carcinogenic artificial food coloring and enjoy these natural and beautiful colors! i am seriously salivating for a beet chalupa now! Keep up the good work!
This is so healthy. Beets are one of my fav veggie.
bee said…
what an absolutely delicious meal !!! thanks for your entry.
Jessica said…
love the hot salsa and the beets in chalupas indeed look very pleasing.
nick said…
Now I know Mexican food can be healthy too,thanks for introducing us to this new kind of chalupas.
zerrin said…
This is such a color fest to our eyes. I love beet, but don't know much recipes for it. Thanks for this appealing dish.
Ammu said…
Looks delicious & colorful.
Vidya said…
The chalupas looks very colourful. We love beets and try to incorporate it in our diet everyway we can.

First time here. Lovely blog.

Regards,
Vidya
Anuradha said…
First time to your blog. You have a nice blog. Very healthy, looks colourful and yummy.....

Do visit my blog when you get free time.
vidhas said…
Fantablous recipe Yasmeen, I love your recipes, surely will try it out.
Joanne said…
I would eat these based on the color alone! Delicious.
Resh said…
Absolutely fantastic!!! I LOVE BEETS and i am all about healthy cookin' in my home. We are two huge health nuts!! lOL so glad to have found your site.
Unknown said…
Wow- such great ideas and so well presented as always. Also, since this is the low-sugar section, I thought this drink article might help some.

www.xomba.com/i_found_beverage_solution

Contact Health Nut

Name

Email *

Message *