Date Pattern: Every October 4th
National Taco Day: Celebrating the Deliciousness of
TacosWho doesn’t love a good taco? With their endless combinations of flavorful fillings and crunchy or soft shells, tacos have become a beloved dish all around the world.
And what better way to honor this culinary delight than with National Taco Day? In this article, we will delve into the history of this special day, explore the various ways to celebrate it, and learn about the different types of tacos that exist.
National Taco Day
History of National Taco Day
Did you know that National Taco Day has only been around for a few decades? This food holiday originated in the United States in the 1980s as a way to celebrate the indulgence of tacos.
However, the exact origin of this day is unclear. Some believe it was created by taco restaurants as a marketing ploy, while others think it was simply a result of the growing popularity of tacos in America.
How to Celebrate National Taco Day
If you’re a taco enthusiast, National Taco Day presents the perfect opportunity to indulge in this delicious dish. Here are some fun ways to celebrate:
1.
Visit a Mexican restaurant: What better way to celebrate this day than by visiting a Mexican restaurant? Explore the diverse menu, try different types of tacos, and savor the flavors of this beloved cuisine.
2. Organize a taco party: Invite your friends and family over for a taco party! Provide a variety of fillings, toppings, and shells, and let everyone customize their own tacos.
It’s a great way to bond over food and enjoy the festivities together. 3.
Try unique taco recipes: National Taco Day is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen. Look up unique taco recipes online and experiment with different flavors and ingredients.
From Korean-inspired tacos to vegetarian options, the possibilities are endless!
4. Dessert tacos:
Tacos aren’t just for savory dishes! Transform this versatile dish into a delightful dessert by filling your taco shell with sweet treats like ice cream, fruits, or chocolate.
It’s a fun twist on a classic favorite. 5.
Look for discounts and deals: Many restaurants and food chains offer special discounts and deals on National Taco Day. Keep an eye out for promotions and make the most of this day by enjoying your favorite tacos at a discounted price.
Tacos
What are
Tacos? In its simplest form, a taco is like the Mexican equivalent of a sandwich.
It consists of a tortilla that is folded or rolled and filled with various ingredients. The tortilla, which can be either soft or hard, serves as the vessel that holds the fillings together.
Varieties of
Tacos
Tacos come in a wide variety of forms, offering something to suit every taste preference. Here are some popular varieties of tacos:
1.
Hard taco shells: Perhaps the most recognizable type of taco, hard shells are made from corn tortillas that are fried until they become crispy. These tacos offer a satisfying crunch with every bite and are often filled with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheese, and salsa.
2. Soft tortillas: Soft tacos are made using soft flour tortillas or corn tortillas that are lightly heated or steamed.
They are more pliable and have a chewier texture compared to hard shells. Soft tacos are often filled with grilled meats, such as carne asada or al pastor, along with toppings like onions, cilantro, and salsa.
3. Authentic Mexican tacos: Authentic Mexican tacos are a far cry from the Americanized versions commonly found in fast-food chains.
These tacos feature simpler fillings, allowing the flavors of the ingredients to shine. Some popular authentic taco options include carnitas, barbacoa, and lengua (beef tongue).
4. Meat options:
Tacos can be filled with a wide range of meat options, including beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, and even vegetarian alternatives like tofu or grilled vegetables.
Each type of meat brings its own unique flavor and texture to the taco. 5.
Toppings: Toppings play a significant role in enhancing the flavors of tacos. Common toppings include diced onions, fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and various salsas such as pico de gallo or salsa verde.
Conclusion:
National Taco Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the beloved taco and indulge in its deliciousness. Whether you choose to visit a Mexican restaurant, organize a taco party, or experiment with unique recipes in your own kitchen, this day is all about savoring the flavors and embracing the diversity of this iconic dish.
So grab a taco and join in the festivities!
Unique Taco Recipes
Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
Tacos
In the world of fusion cuisine, Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
Tacos strike the perfect balance between tropical flavors and the classic taco. The term “Huli Huli” refers to the Hawaiian cooking technique of grilling meat that has been marinated in a tangy sauce.
Let’s dive into this tantalizing recipe!
To make the Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
Tacos, start by marinating boneless chicken breasts in a mixture of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors infuse.
Next, grill the chicken over medium-high heat until it is cooked through and has developed a delicious charred flavor. As the chicken cooks, brush it with the remaining marinade to add even more depth of flavor.
Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips. Warm up some soft flour tortillas on a griddle or in the microwave, and fill them with the grilled chicken.
Top the tacos with a refreshing pineapple mango avocado salsa. To make the salsa, simply combine diced pineapple, mango, avocado, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
The combination of the smoky grilled chicken, the tangy sweetness of the pineapple mango salsa, and the soft flour tortillas creates a mouthwatering fusion of flavors that will transport you straight to the shores of Hawaii. Shrimp
Tacos with Mango Habanero Salsa
If you’re a fan of bold and spicy flavors, look no further than Shrimp
Tacos with Mango Habanero Salsa.
This recipe brings together succulent shrimp and a tropical salsa with a hint of fiery heat. To create the mango habanero salsa, combine ripe mango, diced habanero pepper, simmered red onions, vinegar, lime juice, and chopped cilantro.
Adjust the heat level by adding more or less habanero pepper, depending on your preference. Let the flavors meld together for at least 30 minutes to allow the heat from the pepper to infuse the salsa.
As for the shrimp, marinate them in a mixture of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. After marinating for about 15 minutes, cook the shrimp on a hot griddle or skillet until they turn pink and are cooked through.
Warm up some soft corn tortillas and assemble the tacos by placing a few grilled shrimp on each tortilla. Top with the vibrant mango habanero salsa, and if you desire some extra freshness, you can add some shredded lettuce and a squeeze of lime.
The combination of the succulent shrimp, the sweetness of the mango, and the kick of the habanero pepper creates a harmonious balance of flavors that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight. Chicken Cabbage Potato
Tacos with Apple Pico de Gallo
Embrace the unexpected by trying out Chicken Cabbage Potato
Tacos with Apple Pico de Gallo.
This unique fusion of Irish and Mexican cuisines brings together a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Start by cooking boneless chicken thighs until they are juicy and tender.
Once cooked, shred the chicken and set it aside. In a separate pan, saut diced potatoes until they turn golden and crispy.
Add some thinly sliced cabbage to the mix and cook until it has wilted and developed a slight char. For the apple pico de gallo, combine diced apples, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
The crispness of the apple, along with the tanginess of the lime juice and the freshness of the cilantro, adds a refreshing element to the dish. To assemble the tacos, warm up some soft flour tortillas and layer them with the shredded chicken, the cabbage and potato mixture, and top with the apple pico de gallo.
The combination of the tender chicken, crispy potatoes and cabbage, and the unexpected freshness of the apple pico de gallo creates a delightful balance between comfort and vibrancy. Irish Guinness
Tacos
For beer lovers and fans of Irish cuisine, Irish Guinness
Tacos offer a unique and flavorful twist on traditional tacos.
Combining the rich and hearty flavors of Guinness beer and braised pork, these tacos are a real treat. To make the braised pork, season a boneless pork shoulder with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Sear the pork in a hot pan until it turns golden brown on all sides. Pour in a bottle of Guinness beer, add some chicken broth, garlic, and herbs like thyme and bay leaves.
Cover the pan and let the pork simmer on low heat for several hours until it becomes tender and easily shreds. Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pan and shred it into bite-sized pieces.
Mix the pork with some lime zest and a touch of crema to add a tangy and creamy element to the dish. To serve the tacos, warm up some soft flour tortillas and fill them with the succulent braised pork.
Top the tacos with your choice of toppings, such as pickled red onions, sliced radishes, and chopped cilantro. The combination of the robust flavors of the Guinness beer, the tender and flavorful braised pork, and the freshness of the toppings creates a memorable taste experience that will transport you straight to the cozy pubs of Ireland.
Dessert
Tacos
Apple Pie
Tacos
Who says tacos are only for savory dishes? Apple Pie
Tacos offer a delightful twist on a classic dessert.
These sweet tacos feature a deep-fried tortilla shell that is coated in cinnamon sugar and filled with a warm apple pie filling. To make the apple pie filling, saut diced apples in butter until they turn tender.
Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. Allow the mixture to simmer until the apples are soft and the sauce has thickened slightly.
To create the taco shell, cut a traditional flour tortilla into a circle shape, then gently fold it in half. Deep-fry the folded tortilla until it becomes golden and crispy.
Remove it from the hot oil and immediately coat it in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. This will create a crunchy and sweet shell for your apple pie filling.
Fill the crispy tortilla shell with a generous amount of the warm apple pie filling. For an extra touch of indulgence, serve the Apple Pie
Tacos with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream on top.
Brown Butter Crepe Choco
Tacos
Combine the elegance of crepes with the nostalgia of choco tacos to create a dessert that will satisfy all your sweet cravings. Brown Butter Crepe Choco
Tacos feature delicate crepes that are transformed into a crunchy taco shell and filled with luscious chocolate ice cream and Nutella.
To make the crepes, start by browning butter in a pan until it turns a rich golden color and develops a nutty aroma. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Add eggs, milk, and the browned butter to the mixture, and whisk until you have a smooth batter. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan, swirling it around until it creates a thin and even layer.
Cook the crepe for a minute or two on each side until it turns a light golden color. Remove the crepe from the pan and form it into a taco shape while it is still warm.
Let it cool and harden into a crispy shell. Once the crepe taco shells are ready, fill them with a generous scoop of chocolate ice cream and drizzle Nutella on top.
For an extra touch of decadence, sprinkle some crushed nuts or chocolate shavings on the Nutella. Sugar Cookie Fruit
Tacos
For a playful and whimsical dessert, try Sugar Cookie Fruit
Tacos.
These delightful treats feature folded sugar cookies as the taco shells and are filled with a variety of chopped fruits and a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. To make the sugar cookie taco shells, prepare a simple sugar cookie dough and divide it into small portions.
Roll out each portion into circles, then gently fold them in half like mini taco shells. Bake the cookies until they turn golden brown and crisp.
Once the cookie shells have cooled, fill them with a colorful mixture of chopped fruits. Choose a variety of fruits such as strawberries, kiwis, blueberries, and mangoes, or any fruits of your choice.
The combination of vibrant colors and fresh flavors will add a playful twist to these dessert tacos. To finish off this sweet creation, top the fruit-filled tacos with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.
This will add a creamy and indulgent element to the dessert. Waffle Cone Choco
Tacos
Take your dessert tacos to the next level with Waffle Cone Choco
Tacos.
These delightful treats feature crispy mini waffles that are shaped into taco shells and filled with homemade ice cream, frozen custard, or your favorite chocolate filling. To create the waffle cone taco shells, prepare a basic waffle batter and pour it onto a waffle maker.
Cook the waffles until they turn golden and crispy. Once the waffles are cooled, use a taco-shaped cookie cutter or simply fold them into shape while they are still warm.
Allow them to cool and harden into a crunchy shell. Once the waffle cone taco shells are ready, fill them with your choice of filling.
Homemade ice cream, frozen custard, or even a rich and velvety chocolate mousse make perfect fillings for these delectable tacos. You can also sprinkle some chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate on top for an extra touch of indulgence.
These Waffle Cone Choco
Tacos offer the perfect combination of crunchy waffle cones, creamy filling, and rich chocolate flavors. They are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth craving.
Conclusion:
From Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
Tacos to Apple Pie
Tacos, the world of tacos extends far beyond the traditional savory realm. These unique and delicious recipes allow you to explore the versatility of tacos and satisfy your cravings, whether they be for savory or sweet delights.
So, gather your ingredients, get creative in the kitchen, and enjoy the fun and flavors of these unique taco recipes!
In conclusion, this article explored the celebration of National Taco Day and the diverse world of tacos. We learned about the history of this special day and various ways to celebrate it, including visiting Mexican restaurants and trying unique taco recipes.
We also delved into the different types of tacos, from classic hard shells to authentic Mexican variations. Additionally, we discovered the joy of dessert tacos, such as Apple Pie
Tacos and Waffle Cone Choco
Tacos.
With their endless possibilities for creativity and flavor, tacos truly deserve their place in the hearts and stomachs of food lovers worldwide. So, let’s embrace the deliciousness of tacos and celebrate the allure of this beloved dish on National Taco Day and beyond.