Good ideas. Sounds like a nice way to use some beans, which are cheap. :) And also, you can make the tortillas yourself!
Ten Tortilla Tips for Mealtime Madness
Photo: Green Colander
With food prices on the rise and available prep time also at a premium, quick and affordable meal ideas are always in demand. Here are ten simple meals you can whip up using basic tortillas.
Quesadillas.
Basically grilled cheese with an ethnic flair, quesadillas are simple and fun to serve with a side of black beans and dipping salsa. They can be done with cheese only, or to use up left over chicken and steak.
Burritos.
Whether you are doing the breakfast variety or a dinner version with refried beans, burritos are fun and affordable mealtime fare.
Wraps
For a café style picnic bag lunch on the cheap, try a wrap! They are still all the rage after all this time, and offer a wide range of alternative sandwich ideas. Here’s a link to some stuffing options.
Tacos
Traditional or chicken, these are a favorite for many families. Bonus? Kids dig ‘em.
Appetizer Pinwheels.
There are loads of ways to make these, and they are a dirt cheap way to feed a large crowd on very little cash. Trying to throw a party on a budget? Here’s a link with a recipe idea for spinach ones.
Tortilla Soup.
Cut some into strips and deep fry for a slamming soup topper.
Gorditos.
This was always one of my favorite Taco Bell menu items when we used to live close to one. Basically, you make a regular taco in a crunchy shell. Then, you spread a layer of refried beans over the top of a flat flour tortilla. Place the center of the crunchy taco in the center of the bean-topped tortilla and bring the sides up around to stick to the sides. This makes a great layered lunch item that lets you enjoy some crispiness without the fear of a big mess, as the soft tortilla and bean layer keeps the crumb factor under control. Bonus? They are super fun to serve.
Hot Lunch Roll Ups.
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Not quite the same as a wrap, these are simple little lunch sandwiches you can confidently turn your children loose on for an independence building DIY option. On a plate, lay a tortilla flat topped with one large slice of cheese and a slice of bargain lunch meat. Add a squirt of mustard or the condiment of your choice. Microwave for 10-15 seconds. Remove and roll up in a tube. That’s it. The kids can basically grab these and munch along with some apple wedges or other simple produce snack.
Layered Casserole.
A friend of mine first turned me on to these when we were all teaching together on Guam. Since teaching is not exactly a money-making profession, we were always on the lookout for great cheap eats. Here’s a link to one that looks pretty good, although it’s slightly different from the one I’m used to.
Shape Them for a High End DIY Taco Salad.
This is really a super way to have restaurant style at home. It does require a piece of equipment called a shell fryer. Here’s a link to where you can purchase one.
These are my top ten picks for tortilla based meals. If you are finding the store bought variety a bit too pricey right now, here’s a link to a recipe for a large batch of premade dry mix to use at home. It’s easily modified for either white or wheat tortillas. Got another great tortilla meal that’s dirt cheap and high on style? Pass it on.
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You could also fry up a tortilla and shape it around an up turned glass or ramekin while still hot. Then you wouldn't need to buy the tortilla fryer. It might not turn out as pretty, but it'd be cheaper.
I like to make my own corn tortillas when I have the time. The are much tastier then store bought and only require masa harina, warm water, plastic of some sort (I use a cut up ziplock), a press (got mine at a yard sale) and a pan to cook them in. I can make 16 tortillas for about 35-cents. I'll admit it does require some time, but I feel it's worth it.
As a current of taco bell, you're describing a double-decker taco.
If you want to make gorditas (or chalupas, same base) get your self some flat bread (or a unusually thick tortilla, if you happen to make your own) and toss it on a hot skillet for a new seconds and fill accordingly. A chalupa is the same thing, just deep fried!
Making your own tortillas is another way to make these even cheaper, I think I picked up a bag of flour tortilla mix from Wal-Mart for less than two dollars, that's easily 50 tortillas and they're not too hard to make, just add water, mix and roll out.
Cool post, thanks!!
I've baked tortilla shells before instead of frying them. I think it's healthier than deep frying.
Basically, get a coffee can that's empty and invert it on a baking sheet. Lay a piece of aluminum foil on it, then drape a tortilla you've quickly soaked in a little warm water and oil. Bake at 450 for approx 5 minutes, remove, place right side up on the baking pan (sans coffee can at that point) and bake for another 3-4 minutes until crisp.
best part is you can do a couple of these at one time if you have more than one coffee can, which makes the prep time for taco salad dinner that much faster.
Another thing to consider is that not all tortillas are created equal. If you pay attention, you can find whole grain tortillas that pack in loads of fiber & protein - and still don't taste like cardboard. I recommend Mission Carb Balance Whole Wheat tortillas, which are workable even for those of us keeping an eye on our carbohydrate intake.
And of course, ne sure to try the nearly-world-famous 2Dolphins Tuna Wrap for a high protein, high fiber, kick-butt wrap that laughs at other, lesser wraps.
Tortillas are extremely versatile. We eat them with almost every meal. There is a place that makes them by hand by my house and we can't get enough of them
I am not a "winging it" type of cook but did so once with corn tortillas and a bunch of tidbit leftovers of meat, cheeses, vegts, black beans and sauce for a layered-type casserole and it was excellent. Prob to be never duplicated again. LOL.
I keep meaning to try something similar in a form of 'Mexican lasagna' that I had once that was terrific. It had corn noodles not tortillas but tasted more like corn tortillas.
Don't forget good old Tostadas too.
Also you can spread a flour tortilla with peanut butter, add jam or marshmallow fluff if you wish, place a peeled banana on top and roll up.
Lots of great ideas and comments. Thanks, guys. I'm digging the shaping ideas. Good to know there's a lower fat option out there. I was unaware.
And thanks to the Taco Bell employee for chiming in with the specifics on the multi-layer sandwich.
I've found that mashing black beans to be an excellent substitute for the canned refried beans, cheaper too...
For the taco salad shells, just use a can to shape it. You can use the really big tortillas with a coffee can or use a veggie can for the small ones. I used to work at a restaurant where we deep fried our own using this method. To weight it down, we would use a potato masher inside the can. Then, tongs to pull it out (I bet, if you were doing this on your stove at home, a potholder would work just as well).
