Mini Bean Tacos ( Tiffin Treats)
by Tarla Dalal

Imagine the delight on your kids’ faces when they find a totally unexpected favourite in their snack box! Treats like Pizzas , tacos, etc., are generally reserved for special occasions, and often enjoyed only at home or at eateries because most people think they will not be good if packed in a lunch box. But, if prepared the right way, you can pack these surprises to school! These Mini Bean Tacos, for example, stay good in the dabba for 5 hours. The taco shells can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container. The rajma too can be soaked, pressure-cooked and refrigerated the previous night itself, so that in the morning you just need to cut and assemble the rest. The shell and topping are packed separately, so that it does not get soggy. At school, your child can have fun filling in the shells and munching on it along with friends. If you wish to make more taco shells, just double the quantity of the ingredients.

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Mini Bean Tacos ( Tiffin Treats) recipe - How to make Mini Bean Tacos ( Tiffin Treats)

For The Taco Shells
1/4 cup maize flour (makai ka atta)
2 tbsp plain flour (maida)
a pinch of dried oregano
a pinch of carom seeds (ajwain)
a pinch of turmeric powder (haldi)
1/2 tbsp oil
salt to taste
plain flour (maida) for rolling
oil for deep-frying

For The Rajma Filling
2 tbsp rajma (kidney beans) , soaked for 8 hours and drained
1/4 tsp soda bi-carb
salt to taste
2 tbsp finely chopped cabbage
2 tbsp finely chopped spring onions (whites and greens)
2 tbsp finely chopped lettuce
2 tbsp deseeded and chopped tomatoes
1/2 tsp finely chopped green chillies
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp grated processed cheese

For The Topping
1 tbsp grated processed cheese

Method
For the taco shells

Sieve the maize flour and plain flour together in a deep bowl.
Add the oregano, carom seeds, turmeric powder, oil and salt and knead into a semi-stiff dough using enough warm water.
Divide the dough into 3 equal portions.
Roll out a portion into a 225 mm. (9”) diameter circle using a little plain flour for rolling and prick it with a fork at regular intervals.
Cut out 3 circles of 75 mm. (3”) diametereach.
Repeat steps 4 and 5 to make 12 more taco shells or till the dough gets over.
Heat the oil in a deep non-stick kadhai and deep-fry, 1 at a time, till it turns light brown in colour from both the sides.
Once it turns light brown, immediately shape it into a shell (‘u’ shape) using a pair of tongs and a frying laddle and continue deep-frying while holding the shell till it turns golden brown in colour from both the sides. Drain it on an absorbent paper.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 to make 13 more taco shells.
Allow it to cool completely, store in an air-tight container. Keep aside.

For the rajma filling

Combine the rajma, baking soda, salt and 2 cups of water in a pressure cooker, mix well and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid. Drain the excess water and keep the rajma aside to cool completely.
Combine the cooked rajma, and all the remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Keep aside.

How to pack

Pack the taco shells in an air-tight box and the rajma filling with cheese sprinkled on top in a separate air-tight tiffin box.

Nutrient values per mini taco

Energy	47 cal
Protein	1.1 g
Carbohydrates	3 g
Fiber	0.2 g
Fat	3.4 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	47.7 mcg
Vitamin B1	0 mg
Vitamin B2	0 mg
Vitamin B3	0 mg
Vitamin C	1.6 mg
Folic Acid	1.2 mcg
Calcium	18.3 mg
Iron	0.2 mg
Magnesium	0 mg
Phosphorus	0 mg
Sodium	0.9 mg
Potassium	9.3 mg
Zinc	0.1 mg