10 Gourmet Taco Ideas

April 04, 2013
Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Enjoy a 10-recipe gallop deep into taco territory, including classic combos and some fun, new ideas for great, easy hand food.
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Totally Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Tacos rival burgers for sheer fun packaging. First there's the wrap. Corn and flour tortillas are very different characters: A fresh corn tortilla is full of heady masa aroma and a pleasantly springy texture, while the best flour tortillas are soft but chewy. Then come the fillings. Almost anything goes, including eggs, Mexican sausage, spicy shrimp, beer-braised chicken, crunchy pan-fried tofu, and even ice cream. It's all fun and healthy, and it's all right here.

First up is the star of the show–our Chocolate Tacos with Ice Cream and Peanuts. Spread batter as evenly as possible on baking sheet. When shaping the shells, balance the wooden spoons between objects that are about 6 inches apart. Allow plenty of room so you can work quickly.

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Potato, Poblano, and Chorizo Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Mexican chorizo is a raw pork sausage flavored with cumin and garlic. If you can't find it, you can substitute regular American breakfast sausage.

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Steak Tacos with Lime Mayo

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Look for bagged baby peppers at most supermarkets–no need to peel the skins after roasting. Use fresh salsa found in the produce section or your favorite jarred salsa.

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Supercrunch Tofu Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Pickled daikon radishes and carrots plus a spicy Sriracha sauce set these Asian-inspired tacos apart. Pan-sautéed cashews lend meaty crunch to this vegetarian dish.

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Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Classic and delicious: pour a fresh seltzer with lime and agave syrup to pair with these tacos—or, of course, a

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Cobb Salad Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Adding a tortilla transforms this American salad into a fun, portable meal. Choose a pungent blue cheese, like Roquefort, for a strong hit of flavor, or go with milder Gorgonzola for just a touch.

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Huevos Rancheros Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
This is more of a knife-and-fork taco. The soft egg yolk oozes and coats the filling.

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Double-Layer Beef Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Inspired by the popular fast-food version, our taco is bigger and offers bright, fresh flavors but still puts up better numbers than the drive-through original.

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Fish Tacos with Tomatillo Sauce

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Tilapia is a sustainable freshwater fish that's widely available and offers mild flavor. You can use a more assertively flavored fish, such as mackerel, if you prefer.

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Beer-Braised Chicken Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
Cabbage and apple slaw adds a nice crunch. When you pair the slaw with beer-braised chicken, the tacos take on a German flair.

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