They say not to play with food, but food deserves to have some fun too. Indeed food deserves to experience all of the same socialization that humans do. So, if humans get to play dress up for Halloween, so does food.
If you’re struggling to think of a Halloween costume for yourself, perhaps you can draw inspiration from your food. Tortillas are the perfect candidate for dress up, and this Halloween, that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re dressing tortillas with tasty outfits.
As a result of their versatility, tortillas are invited to almost every party. They get along perfectly with ingredients of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities. Saucy beans and rice, sweet butter and cinnamon, and even zesty grilled chicken all agree that tortillas are some of the most accepting food they’ve ever met.
Tortillas are noteworthy and aren’t too boisterous in a room full of people. They generally don’t try to steal all of the attention from a party crowd, but when they do — they get plenty of action.
No matter what they wear, they still get nibbled at.
There are plenty of ways for humans to look unpleasant in a Halloween costume. However, there are very few ways to make a tortilla look appalling.
In the spirit of Halloween, here are six ways to “dress up” a tortilla:*
*Warning: Dressing up a tortilla in a particularly seductive outfit will guarantee tongue action.
1
The Costume: Mario (from Nintendo)
Sundried Tomato & Turkey Panini
Load up some slices of turkey, pepper jack cheese, spinach and sundried tomatoes into the center of a tortilla. Roll it like a burrito, and press it between a panini-maker. The gooey cheese and zesty tomatoes combine perfectly to transform a typical lunch dish into a romantic Italian meal. Delizioso!Photo by Emily Nichols
2
The Costume: Lucha Libre
Bean and Cheese Burrito
It’s the low maintenance, high-class combo. You can never go wrong with just beans and cheese. Unless you have gross beans or cheese. Just combine re-fried beans and plenty of Mexican cheese and melt them together in the microwave, dump it in the middle of the tortilla and roll it up. Serve with salsa or hot sauce.Photo by Emily Nichols
3
The Costume: Disney Princess
Fruit Nachos
Tortillas also double as chips. Revolutionary. Cut the tortilla into strips about 4 inches long, coat them with a drizzle of olive oil and dust with cinnamon sugar. Bake the strips until crispy. Top the cinna-chips with fruit, nuts and melted frosting (just microwave store bought frosting). For a “Sleeping Beauty” themed nacho platter, use raspberries, strawberries, apple slices and walnuts. For a “Snow White” themed platter, just substitute poisoned apples for regular ones.Photo by Emily Nichols
4
The Costume: Mermaid
Tuna Salad Roll-ups
Don’t be a chicken; use tuna. Combine canned tuna with mayonnaise, relish, and a splash of salt and pepper. Roll the tuna salad in the tortilla and cut into pinwheels. Pinwheels have nothing to do with mermaids or the sea; they simply just look better. It’s all about appearance these days.Photo by Emily Nichols
5
The Costume: Cowboy/ Cowgirl
Cool Ranch Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Howdy, ranchers! Literally — ranch dressing is a must. Combine leftover buffalo chicken wings or any saucy chicken with crispy romaine lettuce and ranch dressing. Please note: this dish tastes best if eaten while riding a horse.Photo by Emily Nichols
6
The Costume: Soccer Mom
Pizza
No, this is not an optical illusion. Tortillas can serve the same purpose as pizza crust. They are merely just a means of getting sauce and cheese and toppings into a mouth. To make tortilla become pizza, simply cover the tortilla with pizza sauce, cheese and a miscellany of toppings. Bake on a baking sheet for however long it takes to cook. Specifics are irrelevant.Photo by Emily Nichols
If you are struggling to construct your own outfit this year, it may be to your benefit to quit trying to dress yourself, and focus your energy on dressing up a tortilla.
Everybody likes a good cook— and if you bring along a tasty plate of nachos or mini burritos to a Halloween party, you’re sure to make more friends than if you attempt to nail a funny outfit.
If all else fails, go to plan B.Photo courtesy of Harmony Huskinson
Reach the writer at enjnicho1@asu.edu
