Fun Ways to Make Your Taco Night Sing
Taco night is easily the best day of the week but does your meal stand out? The traditional taco can get boring, so it's important to think outside of the box to keep your meals feeling fresh. If you plan to host an event, you'll probably want to improve your decorations and drink selection to ensure a memorable evening.
So keep reading to discover seven fun ways to make your taco night sing!
1. Include Generous Toppings
Is taco night really official if it lacks toppings? Allow each family member to customize their dish by including a generous number of toppings to choose between.
Popular taco toppings include:
· Lettuce: Romaine and iceberg are popular lettuce varieties that offer a great crunch on tacos. Leave a few lettuce leafs whole to be used as an alternative to the traditional tortilla.
· Cheese: Cheddar cheese is a common topping, but don't be afraid to experiment and offer a wider selection, like pepper jack, queso blanco, mozzarella or swiss.
· Tomatoes: Choose your favorite type of tomato and dice it small to add flavor without being overwhelming.
· Sour Cream: This garnish will help to cool down the spiciness of a dish. It can also be included to season the meat itself.
· Salsa: Try making one at home or buying something from the store. Either way, salsa will add the perfect amount of spice and freshness to a meal.
· Guacamole: Made with mashed avocados and salt, this tasty topping can easily be eaten as a dip. Try experimenting by adding tomatoes, onion or fruit to create a unique flavor profile.
· Fresh Herbs: Cilantro is frequently included as a garnish on Asian, Mexican and Latin American cuisine, but it is enjoyed in dishes worldwide. If you'd prefer a different herb, try fresh chives for a mild onion and garlic flavor. Fresh mint can also be used on dessert tacos.
Embrace unconventional toppings that you enjoy on other dishes — you might discover the ultimate food combination!
2. Give It a Twist
Taco night can easily be transformed to fit the ingredients you have in your pantry. For a healthy twist, try stuffing your favorite vegetables with taco ingredients. You can enjoy the pleasure of tacos without the traditional shell. Zucchini, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms will all act as substantial bases to most dishes. Vegetables might also be the solution if you cook for anyone who eats a vegan or gluten-free diet.
Alternatively, you can increase your carb consumption by whipping together a hearty taco casserole or spaghetti. These twists will offer a change from the norm without compromising on taste.
3. Bring the Ocean
Say hello to seafood, because fish and shellfish can take your taco night to the next level. Seafood is full of essential nutrients and low in calories, which means you can embrace the evening guilt-free. Savor shrimp, fish or lobster as your main protein.
Flavorful lobster tacos can be prepared in 10 minutes and eaten street-style, so you can enjoy your meal while socializing with others. Complement the seafood using fresh radishes and cabbage to highlight the delicate lobster taste. Warm a traditional corn tortilla up in a pan to create authentic flavors and textures that will leave everyone coming back for more.
4. Embrace Options
People enjoy having options to choose between. The key is to have a large enough selection to interest your hungry eaters, but not so large that they become overwhelmed. Think about a party with 30 different dishes — trying to decide what to eat is challenging when presented with so many alternatives.
When planning your taco night, keep things reasonable by offering a few alternatives for wraps and fillings without going to extremes.
5. Remember Dessert
Taco nights can be sweet as well as savory. Make a dessert taco topped with ice cream and fruit so that the night ends sweet. Or bake cookies in fun party shapes — just remember that a well-balanced meal typically ends with dessert!
Ice cream and chocolate tied as Americans' second-favorite comfort food in a study by the Harris Poll, so you know everyone will love a special dessert dish.
6. Create Adult Drinks
Most adults enjoy cold beverages when eating tacos, so consider making margaritas. If you intend to have a lot of minors at your event, you can always make a virgin rendition so they can still participate in the festivities.
Simplify the process by buying a premade mix or offering a range of bottled alcoholic beverages like beer and wine. Just remember to drink responsibly if there are children present.
7. Decorate Thoughtfully
Think about who will be participating in your taco night. Decorations can greatly improve the ambiance of an event and can even act as a conversation starter. If you are hosting a large party, consider if there are interactive embellishments you'd like to include for the children. When planning for a smaller event, consider details like seating and lighting to ensure your guests are relaxed and comfortable.
Tacos For Everyone
Your house will be the life of the party for the next taco occasion. With options galore, everyone will leave with a full belly — but you might not have any leftovers! Enjoy these seven tips to make your taco night sing, just be prepared when your kids beg you to have another.