For a lighthearted culinary and literary pairing, the delightful Taco Puffs bring a perfect companion to the charming "Tweet Cute" by Emma Lord. Both the dish and the book exude warmth, creativity, and an element of fun. As you savor the crispy goodness of these Taco Puffs, dive into a story filled with modern-day romance and clever twists. Complement your experience with a refreshing Margarita, its tangy notes perfectly balancing the savory flavor of the puffs. This pairing ensures a delightful evening of flavorful exploration and engaging storytelling.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper (optional)
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Salsa, guacamole, or sour cream (for serving)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook Meat Filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat. Add the taco seasoning mix and water, stirring until well combined. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the mixture is thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 9 squares, about 3×3 inches each.
- Assemble Taco Puffs: Spoon a small amount of the taco mixture onto the center of each puff pastry square. Top with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese. Fold the corners of the pastry squares over the filling to form a pocket or fold the pastry in half to make a triangle. Press the edges to seal and use a fork to crimp the edges for extra security.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops of the puffs with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Bake: Place the assembled puffs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
- Serve: Let the Taco Puffs cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired, and serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.
Tweet Cute
It's a whip-smart romance where a viral Twitter war between two teens stands in the way of their budding romance. Full of clever banter, humor, and sweet romance, "Tweet Cute" is a delicious concoction of competitive snark and #HashtagWars while incorporating a modern twist. As rivalry turns into something more, secrets become harder to keep, proving sometimes the best love stories are those fought online.
One of Cosmo's Best YA Novels of All Time A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected. Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming — mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account. Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time. All’s fair in love and cheese — that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life — on an anonymous chat app Jack built. As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate — people on the internet are shipping them?? — their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected. "A witty rom-com reinvention … with deeply relatable insights on family pressure and growing up.” – Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of Always Never Yours and If I’m Being Honest “An adorable debut that updates a classic romantic trope with a buzzy twist." – Jenn Bennett, author of Alex, Approximately and Serious Moonlight
Discussion Questions
- How does social media impact the relationships portrayed in the book?
- What role does family expectation play in the story development?
- Discuss the theme of identity and how characters try to balance personal desires against public perception.
- How do food and culinary skills play into character development and relationship building?
- Discuss how Emma Lord uses humor to tackle serious themes in the book.
- In what ways do the main characters' perceptions of their rivals change over time?
- How does the book address the concept of rivalry vs. cooperation?
- What instances of miscommunication drive the plot and how are they resolved?
- Explore how the theme of ambition is portrayed in the youth today as depicted in the book.
- Discuss the impact of the setting on the story, notably New York City.
Authors:
Emma Lord
ISBN: 9781250237322
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Published Date: 2020-01-21
ISBN: 9781250237322
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Published Date: 2020-01-21
Margarita
The classic Margarita combines the subtle sweetness of orange liqueur with tart lime, balanced perfectly with a quality tequila, offering a refreshing and zesty accompaniment to savory dishes. Its citrusy notes and smooth finish make it a festive pairing for Taco Puffs, elevating the meal with a touch of tangy sophistication.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tequila
- 1 oz Lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 oz Orange liqueur
- Salt for rimming the glass
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Rim the edge of a glass with a lime wedge and dip in salt.
- Fill a shaker with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
- Add ice and shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.