"taco recipe" news and stories

Few of us want to make a complicated lasagna for solo dining -- by day six, you'll never want to see lasagna again! In this series, AOL Food staffer Sarah LeTrent taste-tests simple recipes suitable for a "table for one."

Taco night has become as prevalent an occasion as pizza night and spaghetti night. Perhaps it's the do-it-yourself nature that appeals -- diners can pile on just about any combination of meat, seafood, cheese, sour cream, vegetables or even fruit into soft or crunchy tortillas.

Or perhaps it's because they're fresh and simple-to-make. Maybe it's a little bit of both. In any event, most people have never met a taco they didn't like.

When you've exhausted yourself on boneless, skinless chicken breasts or those lidded rotisserie chickens, consider the duck. If you can cook other types of poultry, you can cook duck. And the rewards are juicy, delicious -- and best of all, just for you.

Get the recipe after the jump!

Luscious lentil tacos. Photo: Jennifer Iserloh.

Apart from a big juicy steak, I think a lot of us associate meat with certain recipes. From burgers to tacos and meatloaf, meat adds flavor and texture to meals that meat lovers crave.

But I know quite a few vegetarians who cook for their meat-loving spouses and friends on a regular basis, as I do. I've always wanted to cook the dishes I crave, without having to make something separate when vegetarians come to dine. Here are my staple meat substitutions and how to use them. Now you can keep those classics on the dinner table without a trip to the butcher.

Chickpeas have a firm texture that makes them ideal for burgers. Use them directly out of the can -- just drain, then pulse in a food processor for a chunky base that works well as a ground meat substitution. When working with beans, remember to add some spice with lots of seasonings. I like to use Worcestershire and steak sauce that are both vegetarian but have the seasonings cooks usually pair with meat. A dash of hot sauce can also add depth and warmth to the dish.

More meat substitutes and my Luscious Lentil Taco recipe, after the jump.