Most of us like Street Food for two reasons: it’s easy and fast. Whether you are grabbing a hot dog on the way to work or indulging in a juicy food truck burger at the farmers market – it won’t take too much time and you will most likely enjoy it. That is exactly why you should try making it at home! All the foods listed below are great for a movie night, party snack or a quick bite at work. Another benefit is that you will know exactly what the ingredients are and will not have to worry about the quality and healthiness. So put on the chef’s hat and let’s get to it!
1. Tacos
Tacos are classic Mexican food that you can find absolutely anywhere. Just like the filling, the bread used for the dish (tortilla) can also vary from corn and wheat flour to ground corn dough – the way the used to make them centuries ago. Choosing the right tortilla is based strictly on your preference, just check your local store for the options. Tip: some Mexican restaurants sell plain tortillas to their guests. Now with the filling, you have an endless number of choices and you can always find something that will suit your diet and eating preferences. Here are a few ideas for what to put in your tortilla to create a taco:
- Breakfast taco (scrambled eggs, cheese, diced tomatoes and hot sauce)
- Veggie taco (sautéed tomatoes, bell peppers and mushrooms topped with cheese or sour cream)
- Fish taco (fried or grilled fish, lettuce, pineapple, spicy mayo and a drizzle of lime juice)
- Beef taco (ground beef cooked with taco seasoning, diced onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese and/or sour cream)
To create a taco simply put the chosen filling on the tortilla and fold it in half.
If you are using hard shells it would be easier to fill it in with a spoon.
2. Loaded baked potato
Depending on the size of your potatoes and what you “load it” with this dish can go from a small snack to a full dinner course. You can also say that it is a best way to combine the comfort food with fast food. The trick to make it even faster is to slightly pre-boil your potatoes (10-15 minutes tops), that will shorten the oven time and allow you to add the filling easier.
Go ahead and be creative when stuffing your masterpiece with goodies! The things that go best with a taste of baked potatoes are: butter, bacon, cheese, caramelized onions, mushrooms, green onions and sour cream and do not be afraid to put them in all together – it wasn’t called “loaded” for nothing. Click here to find out how baked potatoes are not only yummy but also healthy.
3. Crepes
No matter if you feel like something sweet or something savory – crepes is the way to go. Start with the batter that is made with only five ingredients (flour, eggs, milk, sugar, and salt), bake the desired amount of delicious thin crepes and go nuts with the toppings. Cover them with chocolate, caramel and whipped cream, slice some fresh fruit of your choice on the side and enjoy the sophisticated deliciousness of French cooking in the comfort of your own couch. For those of you who are not as crazy about sugar you could always top your crepes with ham and cheese, or smoked salmon and dill. Again, the options are unlimited and the great taste is guaranteed in any scenario. If you are looking to serve crepes at the party, it might be a good idea to spread the topping all over the surface, roll it up and then cut it into smaller pieces like you would a sushi roll.
It will look pretty and you will not waste as many crepes as if you were serving them individually.
4. Wrap
It might be the laziest one on the list, but it definitely the most “adjustable” one. Similar to tacos, start with choosing the wrapping material, such as pita bread, tortilla, lettuce leaves, or rice paper. Then select a sauce and the ingredients. The easiest way to decide is to go based on what you already have in the fridge, even if it is last night’s dinner leftovers – anything works. Here are a few combination ideas:
- Chicken fajita (chicken sautéed with bell peppers and onions)
- Veggies and hummus (fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, greens and hummus)
- Egg and bacon (scrambled egg, a stripe of bacon and cheese)
5. Grilled cheese sandwich
Everyone loves a Grilled Cheese Sandwich, even if they have never tried it.
From simple bread +butter +cheese it can go all the way to including meats and vegetables and be an independent dish. The fastest way to make any grilled sandwich is to use a panini maker, but if you don’t have one you might as well go with old-fashioned frying pan or creative foil and iron method. Enjoy your sandwich on the go, at home, as a snack or as a side to your meal.
Bonus
Pizza lover? Learn how to make a homemade pizza from scratch by checking out this article.
