I think anyone who has had a great fish taco, and the decadent Baja fish taco in particular, has fallen in love with the complex interchange of simple flavours, crunchy textures, the dialogue of sweet and tangy, and the pure comfort of food that pleases the soul. Recreating it home without pulling out the deep-fryer, though, is a…
Salsa Verde
Ah, the tomatillo– no, that’s an armadillo crossed with a tomato. And, no, it’s not synonymous “green tomato.” The tomatillo is unique little creature I discovered and was able to purvey without much difficulty when I lived in Calgary … which isn’t a surprise on account of the city’s fondness for Tex-Mex cuisine. However, it…
Ground Beef Tacos
I’ll be the first to say that not every night can be crispy duck breast, roast beef, or even vegetarian lasagna. Few of us have personal chefs and most of us have jobs and family commitments that compete for time, so even if you love eating, you’re going to once in a while be tempted…
Persimmon Salsa
If Roald Dahl had been in my kitchen this past winter while writing his children’s classics, he may well have titled the one about “James” as Dale and the Giant Persimmon. Though I haven’t had any particularly giant fruits in my kitchen, persimmons have certainly been giant my culinary craft this season as I continue…
Vegetarian Tacos with Grilled Zucchini
When four more beautiful, firm yellow zucchini showed up in last week’s CSA share, the challenge was on. What else could I do with them that would not only be delicious but would push my envelop. Inspired by the success of my Grilled Salsa a few weeks ago, I thought, hmm: tacos. I knew from…
Asian Red Plum Salsa
The vegetarian tacos and their sauces were nearing completion. I had already made the Avocado-Chimichurri Sauce and the Black Bean and Corn Salsa. What I wanted now was something with a little sweetness and a bit of a kick … something to complement the Argentine and Mexican flavours I was already combining. And I was…
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
With the promise of vegetarian tacos firmly within my grasp, I knew that the dish was going to need some protein to give it some nourishing “staying power.” What better than black beans? They are my favourite in the legume family — I love their crunch, flavour, and their size. Instead of the doing a…
Papaya-Mango Lime Salsa
Here’s an amazing fruit salsa that will be sure to put the kick back in your favourite Mexican fare. The papaya and mango work well together but what really brings this dish together is the lime … and the lime skin in particular. I’ve tried just the zest but there is something much more powerful…
Grilled Flank Steak Tacos
A fusion of Asian and Mexican flavours, these tacos should be illegal. What makes these work so well is the tight and perfect fit between the sweet and crunchy exterior of the meat which is married with the sweet tang of the papaya-mango lime salsa and the creaminess of the guacamole, both of which infuse…