Taco Tuesday
When we talked about ritualizing the everyday, Carly shared that she celebrates weekly Taco Tuesdays with her husband, in honor of the Mexican restaurant they frequented while on honeymoon in Maui. I was so charmed by this sweetly romantic idea, I immediately had to borrow it the very next Tuesday. It worked its magic, just like I hoped it would. Sebastian and I both had suffered through bad days — in fact, I think I had just written the checks to pay New York State and the United States Treasury and was feeling pretty bummed about it. Sebastian, as I recall, got stuck in a rainstorm on the way home. We were exchanging gripey texts when I wrote, out of the blue, “Taco Tuesday!” After that, our moods turned around pretty well, all things considered.
Some people can’t get behind cilantro. I’m not one of them. Furthermore, give me an avocado, some lime juice, and a jalapeno and I will be beyond delighted. What I love about Mexican food is its freshness of herbs and crunchy lettuce, followed by a swift kick of heat. There is also the matter that, much like pizza, it makes any occasion — even Tuesday — feel a little festive. Many of my favorite Mexican-inspired recipes are really a matter of assembly rather than cooking, which makes them perfect for hot nights and bad days.
Thanks for the idea, Carly. I owe you.
Spicy Bean Tacos
adapted from Body + Soul
Serves 4
8 whole wheat tortillas (7-inch)
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 scallions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 canned chipotle pepper, in adobo, finely chopped, plus more for serving (optional)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup store-bought favorite salsa, plus more for serving (optional)
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wrap tortillas in foil, place in oven, and warm while preparing the filling.
In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add scallions and garlic; cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in beans, chipotle, and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer, season with salt and pepper; cook until slightly thickened and hot, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in salsa (if desired), corn, and lime juice; cook until heated through.
Unwrap tortillas; spread chipotle sour cream (recipe below) over one side. Top with bean mixture, cilantro leaves, and lettuce. Fold tortillas over. Serve with salsa and chipotle, if desired.
Chipotle Sour Cream
makes 1 cup
8 ounces sour cream
1-2 chipotle peppers, plus a 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
1-2 tablespoons lime juice
salt
Blitz sour cream, chipotles, adobo, and lime juice in a food processor or blender. Season with salt, adding more lime juice and chipotle peppers, if desired.
Moo-Shu-Lada
Serves 1
My favorite micheladas are the ones my brother makes: Mexican beer, lime juice, and Tabasco, served in a glass rimmed with kosher salt. I was going to make my own when I realized we didn’t have Tabasco. Sriracha would have to do. And thus, the puntastically dubbed (courtesy of Sebastian) Moo-Shu-Lada was born.
12 ounces Mexican beer
juice of half a lime
sriracha to taste
kosher salt
Rim a glass with kosher salt, as you would a margarita. Pour in beer, lime juice, and stir in hot sauce to taste until it’s nice and kicky.
Adrienne: Taco Tuesday is BRILLIANT. And even though it was via blog not text message, my mood totally just improved for having read about it, too. The best part is I think I have what I need to make tacos tonight. Sweet.1 year ago
Sara Rose: Damn. Now I want tacos. Guess that’ll have to be another night. Tonight is soup and bread. Maybe taco friday? Fajita friday? YEAH!!! Fajita Friday!
Are you guys going to do anything fun for Cinco De Mayo??? I’m thinking I need some roquamole!1 year ago
Adrienne, Score! Love that these are just so simple.
Sara Rose, Fajita Friday is pretty darn brilliant, too, though I’ve always been a fan of French Fridays.
As for Cinco de Mayo, I hadn’t really thought about it, but obviously it is a holiday that needs to be properly feted. What are you doing?1 year ago
Kate: And here was I feeling all original and excited about sharing my preference for Fajita Friday over Taco Tuesday, only to see that I’ve been beaten to it!1 year ago
Sara Rose: I’m feeling the need to make a huge pile of fajitas mixtas for either Friday or Cinco De Mayo. Shrimp, steak, chicken, pork, you name it! Or I may make pork/chorizo enchiladas. I’ll ask Nolan and our few guests what they’d prefer. I may also try my hand at beef barbacoa or rely on my old standby of huevos motulenos. Clearly, this is a cuisine I take seriously.
I know for sure that I’ll make things that involve piles upon piles of avocados. Micheladas and homemade sangria are on the list too. I’ll either make flan or churros. Who knows!1 year ago
Dana McCauley: Love that idea for making beer even better!1 year ago
Nichole @ ScrappyTime: Taco Tuesday is so great! It’s like their unique version of “date night”. I think its so important to do things like this! What a nice post
1 year ago
Andrea: I love anything with cilantro - it’s only the best herb ever! Lately I’ve been making salads of chopped peppers, chicken, corns, beans and scallions dressed with cilantro, lime juice, oil and taco seasoning. It’s also great in Asian style salads with ginger and seasame dressing. Yay cilantro!1 year ago
Carly: Yay! I’m so glad to hear it perked up a Tuesday for you too! and I have to say, seeing this post completely charmed my Wednesday as well.1 year ago
Lisa (dinner party): I desperately need a Fajita Friday in my life. Thanks for the inspiration!1 year ago
fefe: so just found this site-ITS AMAZING!!!! You are so fun!! I live in Houston, so I will probably celebrating cinco de mayo out, but i wanted to tell you that it happens to fall this year on taco tuesday!!!1 year ago
ann: I’ve never had a michelada in my life and I feel like I definitely definitely need one. I love taco nights any night of the week! I’ll have to try your recipe - I usually use the Morningstar Crumbles with taco seasoning (from the package). Also, I love that you are drinking out of a jar.1 year ago
Rachel C: Thank you for an idea for dinner tomorrow night! (Sshh I know it’s not Tuesday
1 year ago
The Single Gal: Love Taco Tuesday! It will be perfect after the ‘Martini Mondays’ we have at my house
Just discovered your blog thru Lisa @ A Dinner Party… and I love it!1 year ago