With my sister-in-law arriving last night for a week, I wanted to make something special and brand-spanking new for her first night with us. Maybe that was a bit risky – serving your guest something you haven’t made before, but I knew Deb would be up for the challenge.

This meal is raw, vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, paleo….any others you can think of? Serve this up to anyone and you are safe! Besides all these things, they taste sooooo good. If I had room for more (they are very filling) I would have eaten more just for the sake of being able to taste the awesome mix of flavours again.

A lot of the ingredients for this meal were picked straight from my mini backyard farm, which was quite satisfying, crunchy and fresh! I got this recipe from My New Roots, who I have a lot of respect for. Each recipe I have made from her blog has been exceptional.

Walnut Taco Mix

(or use mince meat instead if you so desire, but my meat-loving husband said it doesn’t need it)

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 tbsp. nama shoyu (or soy sauce)
• 1/2 red chilli, chopped
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. olive oil

1. Put the lot in a Thermomix or food processor and mix so the nuts are little chunks, not puree!

Cashew Cream

• ½ cup plain cashews
• juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 5 Tbsp. water (approx.)

1. Put all ingredients except water in Thermomix or food processor and blend, adding water one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached. If you want a thick cream, use less water.

Salsa

• 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
• ½ red capsicum, chopped fine
• ½ orange or yellow capsicum, chopped fine
• ½ red onion or 4 spring onions, minced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh coriander
• ½ clove garlic, minced
• juice of ½ lime
• 1 tsp. raw honey
• 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• pinch of sea salt

1. Whisk the garlic, lime juice, honey, olive oil and sea salt in the bottom of a bowl and set aside or in the Thermomix.
2. Cut up the veggies into rather small pieces, chop the cilantro and add everything to the dressing bowl.
3. Fold to combine and let sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

Here are some ideas for what you can put into your Mex Taco:

• avocadoes
• cabbage, kale, baby spinach leaves
• limes juice
• sprinkling of coriander
• if you want meat instead of the walnut mix, you can add mince