It still tastes like a taco.

When Chris and I started dating, we already had a 7-year old.  We would often have special “date nights” after Lifa was in bed. (He used to crash by 6:30!) We’d pull out beautiful ramekins, cutting boards, and plates. We’d create amazing tapas spreads and have the most romantically casual meals together. We loved trying new things, making it look beautiful, and tasting life together. It was our thing. 

When we first got married, we often had people over for dinner. I loved trying new recipes, and the exciting flavor combinations of dinner was something we all looked forward to. 

Yesterday, the meal plan was “some version of tacos”. I had the main ingredients and a vision for black bean salsa in a beautiful bowl, roasted tomato salsa in another, Spanish rice, fresh guacamole... all the things. 

Want to see what happened? 

I dumped all of the main ingredients for taco meat and the salsas into one pot. I made Spanish rice in the Instant Pot. I sliced an avocado and sprinkled some cilantro on top of it all to make it look like a party when I served it (in bowls). 

Guess what: It still tasted like a taco. 

There’s a time and a place for a ramekin of freshly roasted salsa. And then there’s the day when you open all the cans and dump two days worth of groceries into one big pot. I told Chris I put all of our taco night in one pot. His husband-of-the-year response, “Well that sounds like the best way to make it!”

Don’t get caught up on presentation or what you think you should be. If you want tacos, use taco ingredients. Put them together however you fancy.  It doesn’t matter how you get there. Just make it taste like a taco.