Cookbook Review: Tacolicious

 

Having been raised in Southern California, I'd like to think I know a thing or two about good Mexican food. Everyone knows that the best taco shops are the little hole-in-the-wall places, guacamole is a food group, and you should try to scout out the places that make their own tortillas. 

Tacolicious is a cookbook from the eatery of the same name in the Bay Area. It's part cookbook, part Tacolicious restaurant history, and part Mexican culture reference. Written by Sara Deseran with Joe Hargrave, Antelmo Faria, and Mike Barrow, this cookbook strives to bring the flavors of Tacolicious into the home.

I love the idea of this cookbook...a whole book about tacos, salsas, and their accompanying side dishes sounds like heaven. But, I was a bit disappointed at how many random or difficult to find ingredients many of the recipes called for, and how time consuming many of the recipes seemed. There were taco recipes using goat shoulder, lengua (beef tongue), and lamb. Recipes also called for lard, banana leaves, and annatto seeds. I appreciate the nod to more "authentic" Mexican flavors, but for a typical home cook or busy mom, these recipes just aren't a reality. The ingredient lists are also quite long for each recipe.

I made two recipes from this cookbook. The Lone Star Breakfast Tacos (p. 143), and the Homemade Horchata (p. 197).

The Breakfast Taco was good, but I had to substitute a green bell pepper for the poblano chiles, since my grocery store didn't have poblanos. The Horchata had good flavor, but despite following the directions to the T, and straining the mixture several times, it was still very chalky. I was disappointed, as I was hoping to replicate the horchata from my favorite taqueria.

I like the front cover of the book-it's a canvas type cover with a beautiful photo on the front. And the photos inside the book are mouth-wateringly good. And while it's probably true you can't rush good food, I would have appreciated a chapter of quick fix, or family friendly recipes for moms on the go, who want to spice up taco night without spending 3 hours in the kitchen.

Bottom Line: 6*/10*

*I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.