What do you serve with tacos?

[PoohBWV]

Kids want tacos for dinner tonight. Easy enough, but I never know what to serve with them. Salad, nachos, raw veggies and dip. What do you all serve?

 

[piratesmate]

What we have with tacos varies with our/my mood. These are things I've served with them:
- Tortilla Soup
- Spanish Rice (Lipton's from a bag)
- Corn Cake
- Corn & Bean Salad
- Carrots/celery/broccoli/green or red peppers & Marzetti's Southwestern Ranch Dip
- Fresh Fruit Tacos - for dessert

Deb

 

[J&D]

I usually serve refried beans and Spanish rice.

 

[Lainy67]

spanish rice or refried beans.

For Spanish Rice. Take 1 - 2 T Oil, heat in pan with lid. Put 1 cup uncooked rice in it and brown. Once grains are slightly browned add one can tomatoes and green chiles and one can water. 1/4 cup chopped onions, salt and pepper to taste. Cover. Cook til all water gone. Remove from heat. Fluff after 5 minutes and serve. EASY.

Rotel has a tomatoes and green chile. Old El Paso used to. They still might, but it isn't carried in any of the stores here. I used it as salsa, and loved it. But no more.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I usually just have a fruit, since I put tomato and lettuce on our tacos.

 

[PoohBWV]

We ended up having fruit with them tonite, but I love the sounds of that Spanish rice recipe. I don't think I've ever had corn cake? What is it? Anyone have a recipe?

 

[piratesmate]

This is the one I use most often.

Corn Cake
1 c corn
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 Tbl honey
1 box corn muffin mix
1 c skim milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Combine corn, 1/2 c of the milk, honey, vanilla & cinnamon; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, about 8 - 10 minutes; set aside. (At this point, I usually use my hand blender to crush most of the corn.) Spray 8” square pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients & pour into baking pan. Smooth the surface of the batter with a spatula. Cover the pan with aluminum foil. Place this pan into a 13x9 pan filled one-third of the way up with hot water. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until corn cake is cooked through. When it is done, remove the small pan from the larger pan & let it sit for at least 10 minutes. To serve, scoop out each portion with an ice cream scoop or rounded spoon.

Edited for format

 

[PoohBWV]

Wow that sounds quite good. Is it similar to a firm pudding in texture?

 

[piratesmate]

I'd say it was more like an extremely moist cake - more similar to the date-nut bread we used to get in a can, or my grandmother's applesauce cake or zucchini bread. My kids love this stuff!

I sorted through numerous recipes trying to find one for Chi-Chi's version. The one I posted is sort of a combination of all the others. I just checked back through them & couldn't find any reference to yogurt, but I seem to remember reading one that used yogurt. I've used it when "playing" with the recipe, and do think it makes it even moister - although I sometimes get small white "lumps" visible in the bread.

The original recipes all called for cornmeal and/or "Masa Harina" - which I didn't have. Using the Jiffy corn bread mix worked great - but if you want the originals, let me know.

Deb

PS I have to say that if you ever need a dessert for a Mexican dinner - like for guests - the Fresh Fruit Tacos were really nice, but easy.

 

[My~Rumbly~Tumbly]

Mmmmmm, we love corn bread! We usually serve it with baked beans or baked ham.

Our tacos are made up with ground beef, refried beans for me since I don't like ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, taco sauce, sour cream, and shredded cheese. It seems like a meal in it's self, but if it's in season, we usually have corn on the cob with it.

 

[DVCindy]

I usually serve Black beans and rice with tacos. In one pot I cook regular Uncle Bens white rice and in another I saute some chopped onion (and bell pepper if you like) in a little olive oil until soft. Add 1 can Goya black beans and a little garlic powder, you can also add cilantro if you like it. Simmer while you cook the rest of the meal ... serve over the rice. This is great and very filling ! My kids love it.

 

[My~Rumbly~Tumbly]

You know, I really love black beans. Just never know how to serve them! I would love some more ideas for dishes that include black beans.

 

[piratesmate]

This one is a hit with everyone but DS who loathes vinegar. Poor kid can't even stand the smell!

Mexican Salad
15 oz black beans
2 c corn
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
1/4 c olive oil
2 Tbl lime juice
2 Tbl lemon juice
1/4 c red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp honey
1/2 Tbl cumin
1 tsp pepper (black or lemon pepper)
2 Tbl cilantro, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 dash hot sauce
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 clove garlic

Combine beans, peppers & corn. Whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over vegetables & mix well. Chill thoroughly.

I haven't tried this one yet, but thought it sounded good.
Fast Black Beans and Rice

2 c water
2 c instant brown rice
2 1-lb cans organic black beans, drained
2 c low-sodium salsa, undrained*
1 tsp dried oregano
Light sour cream (optional)
* Green Mountain Gringo Salsa is a good brand.


Time: 15 minutes Yield: 4 servings

Bring 2 qts water to a boil; stir in the rice, cover & reduce to medium-low. Cook 10 min, or until rice is tender & all water is absorbed.

While rice cooks, place remaining ingredients, except for the sour cream, in a 2-quart pot & bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce to medium-low, just to the point of a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the flavors are blended.

Divide the rice among individual serving plates, and top with the beans. Serve immediately, as is, or topped with a dollop of light sour cream, if desired.

 

[My~Rumbly~Tumbly]

Those sound yummy! Will definitively give them a try and Green Mountain Gringo salsa is a BIG hit here....it's made just up the road in Chester!

 

[Piglet]

What are fresh fruit tacos??? Never heard of them.


Melinda

 

[piratesmate]

I got the recipe from the DOLE site when I was looking for something to have for dessert witha Mexican themed meal. I posted the recipe on another thread earlier today. We really enjoyed them - they were quite festive looking.

Fresh Fruit Tacos

Deb

 

[Piglet]

Yum!!!! Thanks for the Link Deb!!! They sound delicious. Will have to try them soon.

Melinda

 

[PoohBWV]

Wonderful recipes and ideas. Thanks!