Give Taco Night A Flavorful Makeover

SPARKS, Md., May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no surprise taco night is a popular mealtime favorite. Quick and easy, this customizable Mexican staple is a festive way to satisfy families of any size. To showcase some ways taco night can be more flavorful and fun, the McCormick Kitchens have developed new recipes and products to introduce more variety to this much-loved meal of the week.

"Mixing up ingredients and toppings makes it easy to tailor taco night to all taste buds," said Chef Mark Garcia of the McCormick Kitchens. "For example, use fish instead of ground beef, and season it with cornmeal, chili powder and garlic. After less than 10 minutes in the skillet, you have Easy Baja Fish Tacos. Top with fresh coleslaw, and serve wrapped in a warm tortilla for a delicious taco you can't miss."

There are countless ways to put a twist on this hand-held supper. According to the McCormick Flavor Forecast^® 2013, food fans are discovering the unlimited flavor possibilities of using global ingredients beyond their traditional roles, a trend named "Global My Way."  Chef Garcia notes, "Infusing flavors like ginger, honey and soy sauce into Asian Steak Tacos with Spicy Mushroom Salsa is a great way to put a global spin on the timeless taco."

Try these additional ways to add excitement to taco night:   

• BYOT: Create a build-your-own-taco bar with toppings to please every palate. Use classic Fiesta Tacos as the foundation and mix in your protein of choice. Plate as a salad or in a shell, and offer shredded cheese, sour cream, corn, chopped tomatoes or fresh Guacamole Salsa for guests to customize their taco to taste.
• Fire 'Em Up: Don't forget you can still have taco night during grilling season! Summertime meals call for lighter fare and grilling your protein brings a smoky flavor to your taco – try Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Jalapeno Mango Slaw for a spicy, yet refreshing kick. Colorful Turmeric-Spiced Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salsa combines savory grilled chicken with a garden-fresh salsa. Don't forget to grill the tortillas for added flavor.
• Fresh Flavors: Look for NEW McCormick Recipe Inspirations Chipotle Chicken Tacos  or McCormick Gourmet Smoked Paprika Chicken Taco Recipe Mix to bring a lively, smoky twist to taco night. It's sure to impress everyone at the dinner table, making for a memorable taco night.

Take taco night beyond the shell with these simple taco-inspired meals that are sure to make every night feel like a fiesta:

• Taco Pizza: Imagine two favorite kids' meals – pizza and tacos – in one. Taco Pizza is a crowd-pleasing meal families will enjoy.
• Taco Casserole: Layer corn, beans, ground beef and cheese then top with tortilla chips for one delicious dish.
• Cheesy Taco Burgers: Can't decide between tacos and burgers? Crushed tortilla chips mixed into ground beef along with Cheesy Taco Seasoning Mix gives this burger a zesty flair.

For more ideas on taco night, visit www.McCormick.com or www.Facebook.com/McCormickSpice or join McCormick on Pinterest at www.Pinterest.com/mccormickspices. Look for McCormick Spices and Taco Recipe Mixes in the spice aisle of supermarkets and mass merchandisers nationwide.

To download food photography, visit the digital press room at www.mccormick.com/FoodMedia.

About McCormick
McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor. With $4 billion in annual sales, the company manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry – retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. Every day, no matter where or what you eat, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick. McCormick Brings Passion to Flavor™. Visit McCormick.com and Facebook.com/McCormickSpice for more information.

SOURCE McCormick & Company, Incorporated