Walking Tacos for Witches, Werewolves and the Walking Dead at your house
By Lisa Zaslow Segelman
Even though my kids are grown, I remember and cherish those trick-or-treating evenings. I also remember the challenge that dinner presented on that spooky night.
In search of a quasi-healthy meal before the costumed crowd heads out, pillowcases in hand in search of candy, I offer up a festive, fun idea. I call this recipe, Walking Tacos for Witches, Werewolves and the Walking Dead.
More often than not, Halloween falls on a school night with the classroom party and school parade afternoon. Even if moms and dads have the afternoon off from work, dinner can be catch-as-catch can: cold pizza or the real horror, candy on empty little stomachs.
Walking Tacos is a compact, portable meal that can be eaten with a plastic fork while standing up in the kitchen, in the family room or on the front steps. Your trick-or-treaters can dine on Walking Tacos as they head out the door for round two, or back home after hitting all the “good houses” in the neighborhood.
If you’re thinking that those tacos will crumble and the filling tumble out in the tumult of costumes and excitement, here’s the good news: Walking Tacos don’t have shells; the “shell” is a mini bag of Doritos or your taco chips of choice. You simply prepare and assemble all of the ingredients for Walking Tacos, set out an assortment of toppings, and give every ghost, goblin, princess or mini-Taylor Swift a snack bag to create their own dinner on the run.
If Halloween day is too busy, you can make the taco meat a day or two before, chop and assemble the other ingredients and store it in the refrigerator. The toppings will last for a few days, and the meat for four or five. On Halloween night, heat up the taco filling of your choice (beef, chicken, turkey or sauteed vegetables) in the oven at 300 for 15 minutes, or microwave for 4 minutes in a microwave-safe dish.
Make a fun Halloween buffet with a seasonal tablecloth and decorations and designate it Taco Central. Once kids and guests make their Walking Tacos, they need to be eaten right away or the chips will get soggy. Meat can be served in a crock pot to keep it warm for serving seconds. Before you can say, BOO, little tummies will be full and ready for some sweet treats.
Walking Tacos are a good trick for you to have in your repertoire as the cleanup is easy and leftovers make for a Happy Day After Halloween for you.
Walking Tacos for Your Witches, Werewolves and Walking Dead
Prep and Cook Time: 60 minutes
Serves 8
(Double the recipe if necessary
for your group of goblins and ghouls)
Taco Filling
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 2 medium onions finely chopped
- garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 2 lbs. ground turkey, beef, chicken or vegetarian: rice & beans or sauteed vegetables
- 16 oz. tomato sauce
- 2 tsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. salt or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
Method:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil until it shimmers.
- Add onions and cook on medium heat until soft, 5-8 minutes. Add seasoning mixture, garlic and oregano and cook for one minute.
- Add crumbled ground turkey, beef or chicken and cook on medium heat until cooked through, but not overdone, about 10 minutes.
- Add brown sugar and tomato sauce and cook until thickened on low heat for 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Assemble the Walking Tacos
Once the meat filling has thickened, open the bags of corn chips. Divide the filling mixture between the opened bags and then let family and guests top their bags with the toppings of their choice – cheese, sour cream, salsa, green onions, etc. Walking Tacos should be eaten right away.
Walking Taco Topping Ideas
Chopped iceberg lettuce
Chopped fresh tomatoes
Shredded cheddar/Mexican blend cheese
Sliced jarred jalapenos
Diced bell peppers
Pico de Gallo, also known as “salsa fresca”
(chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño and lime)
Salsa (difference between salsa and Pico de Gallo is that salsa is typically blended)
Guacamole or cubed avocado
Sour cream
Sliced green onions (scallions)
Taco Seasoning from Scratch
(Optional)
Ingredients:
- 2 tbs. chili powder
- 3 tsp. cumin
- ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. coriander
- 1 ½ tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. cornstarch (optional)
- Fresh ground pepper
Mix the salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, cumin, coriander, chili powder salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a bowl and set aside. Add to cooking taco filling at Step. No.2.
Lisa is an advertising copywriter (think ‘Madmen’ without the men), journalist and columnist. Claim to fame: Lou’s waitress for four teenage summers. For column comments, story ideas, or to get on her “quote” list for future columns: redshoeslzs@gmail.com
