Ranch Lentil Taco Salad.

 

I remember having taco salad growing up and my mom would mix everything in this big ole yellow Tupperware bowl to feed her family of 7. I loved to put ranch on mine... maybe that's weird, but I'm a ranch girl. So when I found the vegan ranch recipe, I knew I had to try it in the taco salad. Oh wow... SO yummy!

It's now Ava's favorite because she helps me make everything and then "plates" everyone's plate. She seriously says, "I'm ready to plate it now Mom." I love it. Maybe it's a bit too many Rachael Ray's, or Food Network Star or Master Chef's... but it's awesome. She also calls it her "birds nest" because of how she "plates" and lays out her lettuce.

romaine lettuce, chopped

tortilla chips

spiced lentil taco recipe

tomatoes

corn

avocado

vegan ranch dressing recipe

cilantro

Vegan Ranch Dressing & Dip.

Ranch dressing was and will forever be one of my most favorite condiments. Plant-based living I had to say good-bye to Hidden Valley and was on the search for an awesome vegan one. I found it. And it's like magic. 

Magic because anything it's over, my kids eat. SO awesome. They dip all sorts of veggies in it, on baked potatoes, over lentil taco salad, regular salad... Magic, right? Mama thinks so.

1 cup vegenaise (if you haven't tried this stuff... you really should. Better then mayo and SO much better for you!)
1/4 - 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1-2 tablespoon of parsley, dill and chives, chopped (or 1-2 teaspoons dried)

Whisk all ingredients together - except milk - until well combined.Then slowly add the milk until you get the consistency of dip or dressing you like. It will thicken some after it's chilled. (You can always add more milk too before using.) Chill and let flavors combine.