Taco Thursday?!

So, while we are almost back to normal, now there is the new Delta variant.  We are not out of the woods yet!  So, it is still good to have a stash of good pantry staples to feed you and your family.  What is in your stash?  I have found that tortillas, cheese and salsa and sometimes chips are now a staple.  Why?  Well who doesn’t love a taco?  Well some folks don’t like spicy and associate tacos with spicy and hot food that they pay for later.   However, a taco doesn’t have to be spicy nor hot and tacos can be very economical and tasty.  For busy people and even people who don’t know or like to cook, a tortilla, preferably soft, will be your new best friend.  The great news is you can buy and have taco fixings on hand and it doesn’t have to be the usual hamburger with seasonings. Even gourmet cooks may like this twist on a taco.  Oooh… Drum Roll please…

I present to you, my internet friends, the “leftover” Taco.  What you say, an old soggy takeout taco leftover from Taco Tuesday?  No… nada… no-way, especially, if your family hates leftovers.

A magical tortilla will proudly present your leftovers as a fresh new meal.  You know, salsa and cheese can be very forgiving, just like your favorite yoga pants.  Anything can go into a taco – ok, maybe not soup.  But a tortilla CAN go into the soup but that is another post.  And if your leftovers are gourmet, your tacos can be gourmet! 

On Friday, I went out to dinner and had grilled salmon on a nice salad and it had a lot of goat cheese. So, what if your leftovers are from a restaurant, like my salmon? I finished the salad but since I was having dessert, I didn’t finish the salmon and brought it and the goat cheese home. Today, I split the salmon in half length wise and heated in the microwave with a smidge of water. Toasted the folded tortillas in the toaster and … put a tiny smear of goat cheese on bottom, added in kale salad, and poppy seed dressing and salmon. Added radishes and squeeze of lime and crack of pepper. Delicious tasty salmon tacos. <hint:  add sliced radishes and your dish is now fancy>

I know most people think of Taco Tuesday as the norm, but I suggest that we move it Thursday.

Here is why:  if you cook on Sundays and make pot-roast, then on Monday you pick up a rotisserie chicken and maybe some salad.  On Tuesday, you make pork chops and yellow rice and some black beans.  Wednesday …. cooking is getting old so you make frozen fish in the oven and french fries – fyi make extra fish. So now Thursday, ugh … who wants to cook?!

Let’s look at these leftovers… pull out the leftovers:

A little bit of beef and potatoes from Monday

Rotisserie Chicken – pull that off the bone.

And there is a bit of salad or a salad kit

One pork chop and some rice and beans

A few pieces of cold, breaded fish

Mmm …. not enough for a whole meal by themselves.  However, get those tortillas warming in low oven and set up the taco bar…. Slice the pork chop into thin slices (while cold), take the pulled chicken, and the beef and potatoes and warm up in the microwave.  Or if you want to get gourmet add to skillet and warm up with a bit of water and salsa (and any onions or bell peppers for extra freshness)

Heat up the rice and beans separately and strip the fish of the icky breading and heat that up as well.

And, because you planned ahead, you have the avocado/guacamole, Monterey Jack or your favorite cheese, sour cream, and if you want more spice, fresh jalapeño or Tabasco – heat lovers know what they need to do! 

Everyone gets to put some cheese on their tortilla, and pick whatever meat and toppings they want. Guess what – that little bit of salad is just enough to add some crunch and freshness to your tacos.  Tacos are things that the kids can help pull together. A squeeze of lime and it all feels and tastes fresh.

And yes, you can put pot roast and potatoes in a taco!  It’s delicious.  Maybe use cheddar cheese and radishes to bump it up in flavor!  You can even just use left-over roasted veggies with cheese and salsa!  The great thing is the flexibility.  Don’t be afraid to try or even mix meats.  Play around with cheeses, perhaps Taco Thursday is the night to use up that half bag of cheddar and the provolone? Props to the most creative taco builder!

Perhaps you don’t want to wait until Thursday to eat the leftovers, I have friends that will toss them out after 3 days.  Well, my friend, take the potatoes and pot roast and heat up in the non-stick skillet on medium while you crack/beat two eggs.  Pour over the warmed goodness and turn the heat down a smidge and stir with spatula.  When the eggs begin to set, add some cheese and salt and pepper and turn off heat. Let the egg mix continue to cook while you warm your tortilla in microwave for a few seconds. Now make your heavenly breakfast burrito and if desired, add a bit of salsa or Tabasco. Wrap and you can take it to-go in the car and have some comfort food for the commute. 

Ordinary leftovers with some taco fixings can make Thursday’s a fiesta.  Especially when served with a tasty beverage!  You may be surprised how the family gets into planning the meals to get the best Tacos on Thursday.

All those leftovers that were not enough individually for a whole meal, and, bonus, the fridge is cleaned out! It’s a total win/win. And what can be more comforting than an economical and a fun family dinner!