contest BEGIN! Taco Throwdown

[geeme]

Some excellent looking starts going on here!
 
I just got back from Round One of shopping. World Market had a bunch of mini liqueurs that I decided to get (8), to see if they might make an interesting addition. Came home and tried tiny sips of each. Four are pretty much going into the trash as cough syrup wannabe's. Bleh. Two are very Meh. One I was already familiar with and like, so that means it and only one other made the cut as possible ingredients. Got most of the other stuff elsewhere, but still need one more trip for the rest. Oy!

 

[JayT]

I would have loved to get in on this. Just looked at the first post hoping the deadline was Monday. I worked all day and night yesterday and today and have family Easter stuff tomorrow. Maybe next time. Good luck everyone.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Bunny tacos dumbass!!!! Come on!

 

[D3monic]

Smoker bouncing between 250-300. Getting close to time for it to go into oven. 
 

 

 
Soon as the smoke dies down it's getting basted with a blend of orange juice, anchiote paste, and these seasonings. 
 
Mixed superhot powder, toasted cumin, oregano
 

 

[Rymerpt]

I'm really thinking of getting in on this one.

I'm thinking I may get the simpathy vote.

We are currently living in an extended stay hotel. (Bad luck and seeking a new place to live).

I'm going to be working with just two burners and loaner tools, but I think I can pull it off.

Funds are tight, so nothing fancy. Wife and kid are hip to a taco night.


THINK TACO NIGHT IS IN ORDER FOR TONIGHT

 

[JoynersHotPeppers]

Is it on to split a lobster tail in 1/2 and stuff it with filet...surf and turf taco  

 

[The Hot Pepper]

I'm really thinking of getting in on this one.

I'm thinking I may get the simpathy vote.

We are currently living in an extended stay hotel. (Bad luck and seeking a new place to live).

I'm going to be working with just two burners and loaner tools, but I think I can pull it off.

Funds are tight, so nothing fancy. Wife and kid are hip to a taco night.


THINK TACO NIGHT IS IN ORDER FOR TONIGHT

 
Dude you can do it, some of the best meals come from necessity... make that $ work, don't worry too much about the sides, that's not where the vote is, but you gotta eat, so get cheap sides if needed, cheap cuts of meat, and add some flash or ingenuity with the flavors and/or toppings etc. 
Were there chocolate mints on the pillow? Use them for the mole!

 

[D3monic]

ooo lamb and thin mint mole. I could dig it

 

[Rymerpt]

Were there chocolate mints on the pillow? Use them for the mole!

Dude, you made me laugh and spit coffee across the room. LOL


Going out with my mom and family to shop around for a place to live, then heading to the store for supplies.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Cool man! Looking forward to it!

 

[grantmichaels]

Dude, you made me laugh and spit coffee across the room. LOL


Going out with my mom and family to shop around for a place to live, then heading to the store for supplies.

 
You could roll your taco and slice it like sushi ...

 

[tctenten]

 
 
cod blackening

 

[hogleg]

I like my Tacos, Taco truck style. Less is more for me when it comes to Tacos. Give me tasty meat, onions, cilantro, and a squeez of lime, with a yummy fresh sauce on a scalded tortilla. No less, no more. Froofy is nice, and I'll eat em but my heart is with simple traditional.
 
GET EM RYME!!!

 

[D3monic]

IMG_4878.JPG
 
 
cod blackening

 
Nice sear! 
 
Pork loins out the smoker 
 

 
Some garnish and off to the oven to finish off. 
 

 
Sides are all ready to go, jumping in the shower and making the tortillas
 

 

 

[geeme]

Before shopping trip #2 I realized that I was going a bit overboard with all the possibilities, so I sat down and made a list to narrow it down to 3 styles. We'll see if you guys think these are the best styles or not. Cooking will start tonight and finish tomorrow. Here are some more teases in the meantime.
 

 

 
Since I'm making things up as I go along there may be some exclusions of the above and substitutions with other things not in the teases. 
 
For those of you who are interested and have a World Market near you, that Nectar de Coco from Chocolate Stella is to die for. It's lactose-free as it's made with coconut milk. It's also made with coconut flower nectar as its only sweetener - no cane sugar or other sweeteners. Surprisingly, the coconut is not a strong flavor in it at all - you can detect a hint, for sure, but I'd bet that people who aren't fond of coconut would like this, as the primary flavor is definitely chocolate. The texture is amazing - I'm not sure how they made a bar come across so creamy. I didn't find this brand at the Whole Foods near me, though others may carry it.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Geeme, you know it's a taco TD right?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
just checking lol

 

[tctenten]

[SIZE=16pt]Blackened Cod Tacos with[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=16pt]Mango, Habanero and Fig Chutney[/SIZE]​

 ​

Blackened cod tacos with a mango, habanero and fig chutney, topped with an avocado sauce.  The sweetness of the chutney paired very well with the blackened cod and the avocado sauce gave it a nice cool refreshing taste.  I also made some Jasmine rice with cilantro and lime, and a slaw as well.
 
[SIZE=14pt]Blackened cod[/SIZE]
·      Cod fillets
·      1 ½ tsp JHP smoked thai powder
·      1 tsp garlic powder
·      1 tsp oregano
·      1 tsp onion powder
·      ½ tsp cumin
·      ½ tsp sea salt
·      1 tsp brown sugar
 
Dip cod into melted butter, then coat the cod with the seasoning mix.  Put cod into hot cast iron pan and drizzle melted butter over each fillet.  Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, turn and repeat process.
 
 
[SIZE=14pt]Chutney[/SIZE]
·      3 cups diced mangos                                   
·      1 tsp finely chopped ginger
·      3 orange habaneros finely chopped
·      2 cloves garlic minced
·      ¼ tsp sea salt
·      ½ cup brown sugar
·      ½ cup vinegar
·      ¾ cup chopped figs
 
Place all ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until it thickens, about 30 mins.  Stir often to prevent sticking.
 
 
[SIZE=14pt]Avocado sauce[/SIZE]
·      1 cup sour cream
·      2 avocados
·      ½ cup cilantro
·      juice of 2 limes
·      1 orange habanero chopped
·      salt to taste
 
Combine everything in a food processor until blended. 
 
 
[SIZE=14pt]Corn tortillas with Bahamian goat powder[/SIZE]
·      2 cups masa harina
·      1 ¼ cup lukewarm water
·      pinch of salt
·      ¾ tsp JHP Bahamian goat powder
 
Combine everything in a bowl until it is no longer sticky, and it does not crumble or look dry.  Break off a golf ball size piece, roll into a ball, form tortilla in tortilla press.  Preheat a cast iron skillet and cook for 1 minute on each side.
 
 
[SIZE=14pt]Cilantro lime jasmine rice[/SIZE]
·      1 cup rice
·      2 cups water
·      juice of 1 lime
·      chopped cilantro
Boil water then add rice and lime juice and simmer until all liquid is absorbed.  Let rice cool then mix in chopped cilantro.
 
 
[SIZE=14pt]Slaw[/SIZE]
·      1 head cabbage finely sliced
·      2 orange habaneros chopped
·      6 scallions chopped
·      1/2 cup chopped cilantro
·      2 cloves garlic chopped
·      olive oil & vinegar
·      salt to taste
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
Really need to work on plating and picture taking, but was very pleased with how this turned out.
 
 
Time to relax, drink and watch some college basketball.

 

[D3monic]

Chaco taco with fruit and ice cream. Mmm damn it I'm hungry

 

[JoynersHotPeppers]

-2 points for shadowing the corner of your plate .  
 
 
 
Nice fish tacos!

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Very nice sir!