Japanese Mexican Tacos, #SundaySupper, #CincodeMayo

NinjaBaker — Sun, 05 May 2013 08:19:32 +0000

May 5 brings festivity and feasts and honors the strength of soldiers and samurai on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. In the U.S, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla (1861-1867.) Mariachi bands play, tamales are consumed and vendors hawk Mexican tchotchkes (trinkets.) “Tequila Appreciation and Tasting,” “Beer and Taco Festivals” are but a few of the events featured in Southern California.

Photo Credit

On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese celebrate Boy’s Day. Currently, the politically correctly term is Children’s Day. The national holiday is devoted to the happiness of little ones. Despite the egalitarian approach now taken to May 5, Boy’s Day traditions are still in place. Flags fashioned into cloth carp flutter outside homes. The koi carp, which swim upstream, symbolizes strength and determination.

Koi-Nobori Flags: Koi carps are symbols of strength and determination.
Photo Credit

The same qualities are imbued in the Japanese folk hero, Kintaro, who was a child of supernatural strength and courage. Figurines and candies of this legendary character are sold during the Children’s/Boy’s Day holiday season. Visits to shrines on May 5 include prayers and purchases of sweets.

Instead of a horse, the superhuman and brave child folk hero, Kintaro rode a bear.
Photo Credit

To honor the special day on both sides of the Pacific Ocean and to participate in a #SundaySupper Cinco de Mayo celebration, I made Japanese Mexican tacos. Jen of Juanita’s Cocina is hosting this week’s #SundaySupper Twitter event at 7 p.m. ET. (Join the conversation by typing in #SundaySupper in the search bar on Twitter.) With her joie de vivre and culinary savvy, Jen is the ideal hostess for this festive gathering.

Organic yellow and blue corn taco shells stuffed with
kale, maguro (tuna) sashimi and avocado slices

Here’s what I used to construct my Japanese Mexican Tacos:
Inside the organic yellow and blue corn tacos, I stuffed kale salad with bits of yellow zucchini and carrots. I topped the veggies with sliced avocados and chopped raw maguro tuna sashimi. The combo of sweet avocado with the slightly bitter kale is marvelous. But if you are not a big kale fan – substitute. The beauty of tacos is you get to create the inside exactly the way you want, right?

A Trio of the Ninja Baker's Japanese Mexican Tacos

David Lebovitz’s Wasabi Dressing served as the perfect accent to the veggies and tuna. (Ground wasabi root is the pungent, slightly mustardy green stuff which is often served with sushi.) The bite of the wasabi was just right. I confess I took a shortcut on the recommended fresh ginger. The dressing was still great but would’ve been better with the fresh stuff. Lesson learned: Never mess with a David Lebovitz recipe! (It’s not an accident that so many foodies revere him.)

David Lebovitz's Wasabi Dressing is the perfect accent for Japanese Mexican Tacos

Speaking of culinary experts, enjoy the Cinco de Mayo yummies created by the best of the food blogosphere.

Cinco de Mayo Appetizers & Sides {Aperitivos}:

Chili Lime Crab on Watermelon Salad from A Stack of Dishes
Chipotle Roasted Chickpeas from Home Cooking Memories
Cinco de Mayo Tuna Pepper Poppers from Shockingly Delicious
Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn) from Magnolia Days
Esquites or Mexican Corn Salad from Kimchi Mom
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lime-Cayenne Butter from Healthy. Delicious.
Guacamole Rice from Foxes Love Lemons
Healthy Mexican Ceviche from Mama's Blissful Bites
Loaded Cheesy Nachos from Gotta Get Baked
Lobster Guacamole from I Run For Wine
Roasted Garlic and Bacon Guacamole from Ruffles & Truffles
Slow Cooker Chicken Con Queso from Daily Dish Recipes

Cinco de Mayo Main Dishes {Platos Principales}:

Chicken Enchiladas with Avocado Cream Sauce from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Chicken Fajita Feta-ccine from Chocolate Moosey
Chicken Fajita Salad w/Home made Easy Salsa from Momma's Meals
Chicken Mole Potato Skins from Noshing with the Nolands
Chorizo Fajitas with Sweet Potato and Poblano Pepper from The Urban Mrs.
Corona Beer-Battered Fish Tacos from Pescetarian Journal
Duck Carnitas from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Enchiladas with Red Chili Sauce from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Fish Tacos with Lime Salsa from Curious Cuisiniere
Japanese Mexican Tacos from Ninja Baking
Lightened Up Taco Salad from Kudos Kitchen
Mexican Pizza with Chipotle Orange Sauce from Family Foodie
Oven Baked Beef, Bean, and Cheese Chimichangas from In The Kitchen With KP
Pork Carnitas from From the Bookshelf
Red Chile Jam + Tequila Chicken Quesadillas from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Roasted Poblano and Corn Lasagna from Juanita's Cocina
Shrimp Soft Tacos with Lime Dressing and Crunchy Vegetables from Crazy Foodie Stunts
Slow Cooked Carne Asadas from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Soft Shell Tacos from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Spicy Shredded Beef Chimichangas from Supper for a Steal
Spicy Steak Fajitas from Cravings of a Lunatic
Stuffed Poblano Peppers from Country Girl in the Village
Tequila Lime Chicken from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing from The Weekend Gourmet
Tofu Tacos from Hip Foodie Mom
Yucatan Pollo Pibil and Corn Tortillas from MarocMama

Cinco de Mayo Desserts {Postres}:

Dairy-free Flan from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Dark and Spicy Chocolate Pots de Creme from Happy Baking Days
Fried Ice Cream for a Crowd from Growing Up Gabel
Luxuriously Healthy Chocolate Frosting from What Smells So Good?
Mexican Brownies from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Paletas de Tamarindo (Tamarind Popsicles) from La Cocina de Leslie
Peanut Mazapanes from Pies and Plots
Sopapillas from The Wimpy Vegetarian

Cinco de Mayo Drinks {Bebidas}:

Fresh & Fruity Sangria from Webicurean
Frozen Jalapeno Daiquiri from Blueberries and Blessings
Fruity Aguas Frescas from The Foodie Patootie
Mango Aqua Fresca With Chia Seeds from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
Margarona from The Messy Baker
Mexaratini from Gourmet Drizzles
Tamarindo Drink (Agua de Tamarindo) from Basic N Delicious

Wishing you countless reasons to celebrate every day.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

Japanese Mexican Tacos

#SundaySupper

#CincodeMayo

The Ninja Baker - Japanese Mexican Tacos

Japanese Mexican Tacos, #SundaySupper, #CincodeMayo