Written by Rebekah Gonzalez
On October 4, we celebrate a food that is beloved around the world: tacos! Whether served from food trucks or fine dining establishments, tacos are revered for their versatility and savory flavors. It is believed that the very first taco originated in Mexico, but since then, it has trekked it's way across the globe and has been adapted to suit a wide range of palates and dietary needs. Billions of tacos are consumed each year, and the countless new variations that continue to emerge cement it's place as a contemporary American favorite.
Selected below are recommended readings that are sure to tantalize the taste buds and inspire home cooks to put their own spin on this traditional Mexican dish.
Recommended Reading
Trejo's Tacos by Danny Trejo
The legendary actor and L.A. restauranteur shares his favorite—and badass—recipes for bold, fun and versatile Mexican dishes along with stories about his lifelong love of food, in this cookbook that is symbolic of L.A.'s vibrant Latino culture.
The Taco Tuesday Cookbook by Laura Fuentes
The Taco Tuesday Cookbook is the cookbook your family's been dreaming of, because if there's one thing we can agree on, it's that tacos are awesome. They're customizable. They're quick. They're delicious. And most importantly, they make us all happy! Inside [this book], you'll find taco recipes for every week of the year, all of which are made with real-food ingredients -- and most of which are ready in 30 minutes or less. There are also vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo options throughout, so you'll be able to fully customize recipes based on your dietary needs.
Guerrilla Tacos by Wesley Avila
The definitive word on tacos from native Angeleno Wes Avila of Guerrilla Tacos, who draws on his Mexican heritage as well as his time in the kitchens of some of the world's best restaurants to create taco perfection. In a town overrun with taco trucks, Wes Avila's Guerrilla Tacos has managed to win almost every accolade there is, from being crowned Best Taco Truck by LA Weekly to being called one of the best things to eat in Los Angeles by living legend Jonathan Gold. Avila's approach stands out in a crowded field because it's unique; the 50 base recipes in this book are grounded in authenticity but never tied down to tradition. Wes uses ingredients like kurobata sausage and sea urchin, but his bestselling taco is made from the humble sweet potato. From basic building blocks to how to balance flavor and texture, with comic-inspired illustrations and stories throughout, [this book] is the final word on tacos from the streets of L.A.
Tacos: Recipes and Provocations by Alex Stupak
Superstar pastry chef Alex Stupak's love of real Mexican food changed his life; it caused him quit fine dining and open the smash-hit Empellón. Tacos can be humble expressions of street culture, or they can be fine-dining ideas wrapped in a tortilla. For Alex Stupak, there is a fine line between taking a cuisine in a new direction and stripping it of its soul. This book is about treading that line.
Taco-topia by Deborah Kaloper
Melbourne-based Californian native Deborah Kaloper goes beyond the basics we've all come to know and love, and includes some deliciously new ideas to fill soft and hard tortillas. Of course, she hasn't forgotten to include classics and well-loved favourites including Baha fish tacos, smoky pulled pork and jalapeno tacos, and slow-cooked braised bean tacos. Also, if you're feeling inclined, Taco-topia also includes recipes for creating your own tortillas, salsas and sauces from scratch.
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