I have a problem. A grievous disorder. An infectious, debilitating progressional pathosis. A cyclical, hindered appetence. And I can’t stress this enough – I can not go more than 24-48 hours without one.
Yes. A taco. The most perfect of foods.
This is not something one “can help”. This is not preventable, nor is it accommodating to change. It is not meant to invoke transgression and it cannot be interrupted. This is innate.
I am not rogue!
It is a blistery, stuck to the bone, paradigmatic process that invades like a spider-ous cancer.
Some people need water or oxygen. Me? I need drippy, meaty, unctuous handheld satchels of Mexican sustenance in my alimentary canal – every couple days.
To be clear, there is no cure.
There is only one prescription to remedy the aforementioned plague that will inevitably ensue. It starts with my condition. And ends with a belly full of hot pockets bestowed on us by our hot neighbor to the south.
My medication has arrived.
It’s taco friday. As if that’s not a thing…
Feeds me and maybe one other person I like; Takes about 30 min (not including marinating time)
Ingredients/Method for chicken marinade:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 limes, zest and juice
- 2 hefty glugs of avocado oil
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground garlic
- 1 tsp ground onion
- 1 tsp ground chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 3 tsp salt
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours or more.
Ingredients for Tacos
- 4-6 flour tortillas
- 1-2 ripe avocados, sliced
- 1/3 purple cabbage, sliced thinly
- Lime wedges
- Cilantro
- Big hunk of fresh cotija cheese, crumbled – I’m not one to tell you how much cheese to use. Use your discretion. Leave some for snacking.
- Avocado oil, more salt
That’s what I used in this delicious application but you could always add…
- Tomatoes, if in season, sliced thinly
- About 3 tbsp chopped red, raw onion
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Salsa or Pico
- Grilled corn
Method:
Place chicken on a large piece of parchment paper or saran wrap and cover completely. Using a mallet or rolling pin, pound chicken out to achieve uniformity in thickness – about 1/2 in thick.
Prep all your veggies. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Heat a few tbsp oil in a large sauté pan. Add chicken once hot and allow to brown (about 2 min each side). Transfer this pan to the oven and cook for 12-14 min until moist and cooked through.
Remove chicken from oven and allow to rest under tented foil for 10 min.
While chicken rests, place flour tortillas in foil and warm in oven (about 3 min).
Cut the chicken. Assemble the tacos.
Revive. Relive the experience. Relish. And get ready, for next time.
Ideas for more latin inspired nights:
- Strawberry Steak Tacos
- Spicy Beef and Hominy Pozole with Salsa Verde
- Chicken Poblano Tortilla Soup
- Steak Lettuce Wraps with Mango and Gooseberry Guac
- Bison Taquitos
