Taco Time!(Not the Fast Food Joint)

There is a place called Winnipeg, it can be very cold there. Where does one find warmth when it is so cold? Mexico! Although not all of us have the ability to go to Mexico on a whim of hunger:( What else could one do to get some heat in this cold Winnipeg winter?

How about a taco? They originated in Mexico, that is a good start! I am feeling a little warmer already. They sure do love their chorizo out there and I do too so why not make my own. You know what I like? Sauteed vegetables, I think I will bring them to the party as well!

The taco has been a favorites of mine since I was a child, really I have an obsession for Mexican food...but that is for a whole other blog. When I think tacos, I think of a little truck or restaurant. Freshly made, simple ingredients like home made salsa and guacamole with soft corn or flour tortillas. Well, now that this idea was in my head there was no turning back. I leaped out of my chair(slowly, after about 10 minutes) and headed for the door. I raced down the stairs(waited for the elevator as 18 flights of stairs are not as fun as they sound) and I was off to the grocery store!

For all you cooks out there, my blog is not meant to be a cookbook. You will very rarely(if ever) find a recipe on here or around my apartment for that matter. I believe that great cooking requires mixing great flavors you love. Keeping that in mind I will almost always give the ingredients however it is up to you to determine what portions you need.

My trip to the grocery store was uneventful and unexciting however I got some great ingredients, which is all I needed. I brought back some mushrooms, to be sauteed in butter and chili powder with a little fresh garlic. Traditional, maybe not. Delicious, yes! This was to be my first condiment.

My second condiment was a little more authentic. A delicious mix of peppers, onions, garlic, zucchini and chili powder. Sauteed in butter with a little addition of ground cumin made it so much better!

You know I have to make salsa and it is all about simplicity here. Freshly diced tomato and red onion with fresh garlic, lime juice and fresh cilantro. Of course, we all know I love avocado so there has to be guacamole.

My guacamole is simple, just the way I like it! Fresh avocado, tossed with diced tomatoes, red onions and tobasco! With a squirt of fresh lime juice and some salt and ground pepper, I was ready to rock!

Beans have always been a staple, and a favorite of mine. I had every intention of making the refried black beans from scratch but upon learning the time it would take to make, I went for the canned variety! I know, I know, for shame! No! Believe it or not, I actually enjoy canned refried beans and will almost always accept it as a substitution for homemade.

Last, but certainly not least! The chorizo, seasoned with plenty of chili powder, cumin and a handful of other spices. It had a nice kick to it, but the heat does not linger. It will be a great addition to the already amazing list of delicious taco fillers I made!

Now that everything is all prepped, it is time for assembly! This is the fun part. Tortillas MUST be heated before use, if you do not heat them they will break into pieces and your tacos will suck! Why, because they won't hold the filling with gaping holes! I prefer to heat mine in the oven for about 30 to 45 seconds. The microwave is an acceptable alternative, however you will not get any crunchiness like you would from one that was toasting in an oven.

I like a little bit of everything on my taco. First, the delicious bits of pork were centered on the tortilla. Next, a bit of grilled vegetables and mushrooms and a nice dollop of refried beans. Lastly, some fresh salsa and guacamole and then a small amount of shredded cheddar and sour cream! The plate needed some green, so did I and I went with spinach. It goes well with everything!

This is what I call a taco! Mind you, the pictures were tough to take. I could not figure out how to display the tacos without putting them between other items. Any suggestions on how to photograph this meal easier would be totally accepted! If not, jusk bask in the deliciousness of these pictures...and maybe make a batch for yourself, just make sure you don't forget to invite me! Then it can be Taco Time for you too!