Food holidays don’t get a lot of coverage around here, mostly because I’m not organized enough to know when they’re coming up and actually plan something. But not all holidays are created equal and I couldn’t let National Taco Day pass by without a bit of recognition.
When asked, I generally cite any number of pasta with red sauce variations as my favorite food, but in light of the existence of tacos, that probably needs re-examination. Maybe it’s a tie? If you’ve followed my menu plans for any length of time, you know that tacos are a frequently recurring staple. If I wasn’t posting menu plans and thinking carefully about having a diverse diet, I’d probably make tacos more than once a week.
I love tacos because they’re so stinkin’ simple to make. 99% of the time, my tacos are meatless. All I have to do is open a can or two of beans, heat them up with some spices, toss the filling into shells and add toppings. Is it fancy? No, but it’s so easy and so good and, in the scheme of things, not the worst meal I could eat. Also, really inexpensive. Three years ago (!) I posted my basic taco recipe in celebration of National Taco Day, which is a great way to get started with making tacos in this way.
Occasionally, I dip into the world of slightly fancier tacos. I especially love these Curry Tofu Tacos with Pintos and Kale Slaw from Post Punk Kitchen – so much so that they got their own post. They take a bit more effort than I usually spend on tacos, but they’re worth it. Last night, I opted to attempt making fish tacos, a goal that’s alluded me in the past. I used this recipe for Chipotle Lime Fish Tacos from Closet Cooking and was very pleased with the result. After marinating, I baked the fish at 350 degrees for 15 minutes because we don’t have a grill. We kept the filling simple, adding a bed of shredded cabbage to each shell before adding the flaked fish. The tacos were excellent and I will totally be making them again.
Food holidays are pretty silly, but I’m glad tacos are getting their moment in the spotlight. If you’re with me in my taco obsession, check out my Tacos, Enchiladas, Burritos and More Pinterest board. And leave your favorite taco filling ideas or recipe in the comments below – I’m always looking for more ideas!
