Summer will be gone in three weeks. Actually, August was very cool in upstate New York. Fall has been with us for several weeks. To squeeze out the very last of summer, it’s time for some revolutionary hot food. There is life way, way beyond Taco Bell, and this book is your speedy guide to intense flavor. From 2014:
This book may make you smile. It may make you rage a tad. It all depends on how rooted you are in following tradition. There are over 100 recipes here, described as “traditional and innovative recipes.”
The traditional recipes are wonderful, ones no one can dispute. You’ll find ways to make Chili Lime Tortillas, Hot or Mild Taco Sauce, and Pork Carnitas Tacos. Lovely recipes that remind me of days under the Mexican sun.
Author Brandon Schultz lives in Brooklyn, perhaps now the food capital of the world. And he believes that anything, anything can go on a taco. So if you are not tradition bound, you might savor:
- Cheeseburger Tacos with a shell instead of a bun
- Greek Tacos with spinach and spiced beef filling
- Philly Cheesesteak Tacos
- Chicken and Waffle Taco
- Chicken Cacciatore Taco
- Tuna Salad Taco
- Sausage and Pepper Taco
- California Tofu Taco
- Mac and Cheese Taco
I know, these recipes might seem a tad crazy at first, but you know who will love this book? Kids. Kids. You take your kids and say, “We are having mac and cheese tonight, and, oh, I’m making them into tacos.” Those kids are going to react with passion. They may instantly embrace the idea, they may howl with protests, but you are sure to see them giggle as they bite and mac and cheese is squeezed out onto the plate.
If you can think of food as fun, then all these recipes are surely designed to make you smile. And underneath all of these different ideas, there is a foundation here of very solid classic recipes to create excellent tacos from start. At the end of this post is the recipe for Classic Taco Seasoning. It has all the needed ingredients, now put into the proportions determined by a Brooklyn guy who is fascinated by tacos in all shapes and forms.
I am sure The Taco Revolution deserves its “revolution” title and there have to be ideas here you never, ever fantasized about. But you know, that Hawaiian Pork Taco with white beans and pineapple is a recipe to ponder, to let your curiosity be stirred and maybe, just maybe, be destined for your plate.
Publisher: Skyhorse
Classic Taco Seasoning
Yield: ½ cup
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons coarse ground sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
Preparation:
Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container. Longevity will improve if you refrigerate, but do use within a few days to capture all the spice intensity.