third story(ies)
Menu
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • HOUSE TOUR
    • PROJECT ADDITION / “PROJECT BACK POCKET”
  • LET’S EAT
  • (STORY)TIME
  • AROUND TOWN
  • MAKING
  • ADMIRING
    • blogs i love
Menu

let’s eat: on the menu, popcorn tacos

Posted on June 30, 2015 by thirdstoryies

2015-06-13_1434221159

If I had to list the most frequent question I get asked, it would be “Do your kids really eat the food that you make?” It’s sort of a complicated answer. The short answer is yes, because they do eat dinner with us every night, and I don’t make a separate meal for them. But they are kids with their own opinions about food, and each of them has a couple of particular dislikes that I respect. But even though E despises fresh tomatoes and F refuses to eat the yolk of a hard boiled egg, we still eat both of those foods with great frequency. I’m also aware that they don’t love their dishes as spicy as we do, and so I spice and sauce accordingly. And they also enjoy eating meat, so occasionally we have some on the table.

I’m really enjoying Anna Jones’ A Modern Way to Eat. While I don’t limit myself to vegetarian cookbooks, I find that when I’m looking to purchase a book and find a spot on the shelf for that book, I get more bang for my buck with these. I always read cookbooks from cover to cover, and I love the way this book talks about the layering of components within a dish or meal. There’s a lot of freedom within its pages, but the templates for the dishes are really extraordinary.

2015-06-06_1433625994

Plus, I knew if these guys were recommending it, then I was all in.

2015-06-06_1433630138

One thing that I love to make and serve is tacos because it gives just enough freedom of taste at the table. These popcorn tacos were perfect for a Saturday afternoon. There’s no shortage of heat in this recipe, but again, the girls can taste and layer accordingly. And they never say ‘no’ to crunch and sweetness in a dish.

There are three components to this dish. First the popcorn: Add a splash of olive oil to a large pan and heat over low heat (I eventually raised mine to medium low.) Add 3 tablespoons of kernels and put on the lid. Once a minute you’ll want to really shake the pan to prevent burning. Once the corn starts to pop, pay close attention; when the popping has stopped, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool.

Mix the popcorn spices together: 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and 1 Tablespoon of honey or agave syrup. Warm them up in a small pan on the stove until combined; toss with the popcorn until it’s coated.

Caramelized Corn: Cut the kernels off four corn cobs. (I always do this on a rimmed baking sheet to try and curb the mess!) Heat some olive oil in a pan and fry the kernels until charred and caramelized, about 5-10 minutes. Add the following to the charred kernels: the zest and juice from one lime, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (go less, for less heat), 1 red or green chile, finely chopped, and salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and stir in a tablespoon of plain yogurt or crème fraîche. (You’ll want an additional 1/4 – 1/2 cup of yogurt or crème fraîche for serving with the tacos.)

Peel two avocados and small dice the flesh. Squeeze a little lime juice over the top of the pieces.

2015-06-13_1434221906

Taco time! Warm 8 small or 4 large corn or wheat tortillas. Divide the corn kernels between the tortillas and top with the following: a spoonful of yogurt or crème fraîche, some avocado, some crumbled feta (I used cotija because I had some on hand), and a pinch of chopped cilantro. Scatter the spiced popcorn over the top, and enjoy! The flavors here are really incredible, and the spicy, sweet popcorn adds the perfect ending note. And no one ever complains about watermelon on the side. Summer Saturday lunch at its best.

2 thoughts on “let’s eat: on the menu, popcorn tacos”

  1. Jen says:
    June 30, 2015 at 11:44 am

    I need these tacos in my life.

    Reply
  2. Brandy says:
    June 30, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    Thank you. Pinned.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Welcome!

Welcome.

This is a blog about an old house with a new life (and all the lives within it). There are plenty of stories to tell.

Recent Comments

  • Kristin on project files: phase one renovation begins
  • AshleyM on project files: phase one renovation begins
  • Sue J. on slow spring
  • Cindy on gumball machine crafts (my rookie pinterest moment)
  • thirdstoryies on admiring: relax tabletop collection
  • Eileen Allison on gumball machine crafts (my rookie pinterest moment)
  • Marla on admiring: relax tabletop collection
  • Sue J. on for real, for real
  • Becky collins on noticing
  • Sue J. on noticing
June 2015
S M T W T F S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930  
« May   Jul »

Recent Posts

  • project files: appliance decisions
  • project files: exterior demolition
  • project files: phase one renovation begins
  • august priorities
  • slow spring

Archives

Categories

  • (story)time
  • admiring
  • general
  • holiday story(ies)
  • house tour
  • let's eat
  • letters to my loves
  • local haunts
  • making
  • party(ies)
  • project addition
  • renovation
  • Uncategorized
©2022 third story(ies) | Design by Superb