My sphere of influence... Tacos

Anyone involved in some form of social media activity has likely heard of Klout. Klout, as its name would suggest, measures how influential you are online based on how much you tweet, facebook, blog and who actually reads you. It then gives you a score (out of 100) and highlights categories you are particularly influential in. According to Klout, I am influential about one thing: Tacos. Why? No idea. But rather than try to shift the perception of my knowledge and influence to other things like fashion, make-up, public relations or other things I am actually involved in, I'm going to embrace this newly placed crown of expertise and share with you some of my absolute favourite taco, burrito, quesadilla and enchilada experiences.

1. The ones I dream about: Joey's Fish Tacos
Joey's - a Vancouver-based food chain, with a similar vibe and menu selection as Moxies and Milestones - has the best fish tacos I have ever tasted. Honestly. No. Exaggeration. They arrive, three six-inch, soft, warm corn tortillas filled with lightly seasoned, breaded white fish, then layered with their own tangy mole sauce, a sprinkling of cheese, a dollop of guacamole and just the right amount of cilantro. No sharesies either. Get your own and leave mine alone.

2. The ones I can't stop eating when I'm full: Milagro Tacuba Enchiladas
Typically ordered after a healthy dose of Milagro's house-made guacamole and hand cut "nachos" - plus a good-sized Margarita - the Tacuba enchilada is intense. It comes swimming in a tomatillo and serrano pepper sauce, filled with chicken and cheese, served with beans and rice on the side. My stomach says stop somewhere between bite three and four but my tastebuds gang up on it until the last bite is gone. I think I now understand what they mean by "the whole enchilada"...

3. The ones I am ashamed to talk about: Taco Bell Bean Burrito
I have said too much already...

4. The "everything I've ever wanted in a burrito" burrito: Halibut Burrito, Burrito Banditos
There are no seats in this tiny fast-food joint but it's better to take these bad boys on the road. Filled with your choice of beans, rice, guacamole, cheese, tomatoes, onion, sour cream, you'll need to walk about 40 blocks to put a dent in the caloric intake you've just inhaled. But this indulgence is oh-so worth it.

5. The ones that don't make me hate myself in the morning: Carly's Baked Quesadillas

Recipe:
2 3oz chicken breast (substitute a fish like halibut if you prefer)
2 tsps Chili powder
2 tsps olive oil
8 low-fat flour tortillas (I use weight watchers wraps)
2 cups low fat cheese, grated
1 bottle Old El Paso taco sauce (not salsa - the taco sauce comes in a small bottle and is available in most grocery stores)
1/4 c. chopped green onion
1/4 cup diced tomatoes
cilantro sprigs (optional)
Cooking spray

Dice chicken, season with chili powder. In a frying plan, saute in oil over medium heat. Remove and reserve. Set oven to broil. Place oven rack on top level. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Place two tortillas on the sheet. Sprinkle 1/8 c. of cheese on each tortilla. Place 1/4 of the chicken on each. Sprinkle with some onion and tomatoes. Add more cheese on top. Cover with another tortilla. Lightly spray tops with cooking spray so they don't burn too quickly. Broil until tops start to brown, about 2 minutes. Remove sheet and carefully flip quesadillas so the bottom side browns. Remove once tops are browned and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve with cilantro and taco sauce. Makes four servings.