The smokey salmon and spicy arugula balances beautifully with the creamy avocado in these Smoked Salmon and Avocado Tacos. Let’s taco-bout today’s post: we’re bringing you 6 Creative Recipes for your Next Taco Party that will not disappoint, including these smoked salmon avocado tacos.
Since today we’re throwing a digital party of sorts, with the blogging babe squad (we’re not actually called that, I literally just made that up, but these ladies are all total babes) I thought it would be fun to talk about one of my favorite topics: trying to be social as an introvert.
It wasn’t until a couple years ago that I really understood the true distinction between introversion and extroversion. For a long time I thought it was synonymous with shy and outgoing but in reality it’s not that at all. Introversion and extroversion actually relates to where you get your energy from. For introverts, they feel recharged when they can be alone, while extroverts are energized by being around lots of people. That means you can have an outgoing introvert or a shy extrovert, because it’s all about how people get their energy, not the degree to which they embrace or shy away from communicating outwardly.
Anywho, introverts typically aren’t fans of being the center of attention, spending long hours among strangers or what most people think of as traditional networking. So with all of that, what’s a poor introvert to do when they’re trying to make new friends in a crazy social world.
Over the past year-ish, I’ve been trying to tackle that problem head on with varying degrees of success and failure. Most times when I go to a large gathering my instinct is to find a solid corner and hope that someone I know walks in, but ever so slowly I’ve found one thing in particular has helped me actually enjoy the process of meeting new people. That thing is practicing being a good listener.
Whether you only kind of know someone, or have never seen them before, nothing takes away the awkward pressure of small talk like not thinking about yourself. Introverts are naturally curious and good listeners so you can use that skill set to hone in on finding something the other person loves to talk about.
My challenge to you, my fellow introverts (and extroverts can totally do this too), is next time you’re at a gathering where you have the opportunity to meet knew people, change your perspective from “this is going to be an awkward, tedious conversation” to “I can’t wait to learn about this person.” Taking the judgment of yourself out of the equation and focusing on having a connection with the other person feels a lot less awkward and way more rewarding at the end.
Obviously, it can be super challenging and I definitely don’t always rise to the challenge, but when I do, it feels so good to have connected with someone new. It also feels great to give someone a chance to talk about something they like and love to talk about.
Now it’s time to dig into these 6 Creative Recipes for your Next Taco Party, perfect for the next time you’re invited to a potluck.
Pineapple Cherry Margaritas from the Balanced Berry
Wash down those delicious tacos with a refreshing, fruity margarita. They only require a few ingredients and are easy to blend up for a crowd!
Honey Ginger Pork Tacos from the Almond Eater
These delicious Honey Ginger Pork Tacos are made in the slow cooker and topped with a simple pineapple salsa. A sweet and simple meal for your next taco night!
Easy Blackened Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos from Fit Mitten Kitchen
Fish tacos are a fun and healthy way to enjoy taco night, and you can’t go wrong with these Easy Blackened Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos.
Braised Beef Short Rib Tacos from the Blissful Balance
Slow-cooked beef short ribs in an Asian-inspired marinade are a fun twist on a Mexican classic. Enjoy a unique marriage of textures in these simple, wholesome tacos.
Crispy Baked Avocado Tacos from rachLmansfield
A unique twist on two of your favorite foods, avocado and tacos, baked and crisped to perfection in these paleo-friendly tacos
Smoked Salmon and Avocado Tacos
[Tweet “Never have a basic taco party again with these 6 creative recipes”]
- 4 corn tortillas
- 4 oz of smoked salmon
- 1 avocado
- 2 oz of goat’s cheese
- 2 cups of arugula
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- Warm the tortillas either in the oven (250ºF for 5 minutes) or microwave (for 30 seconds)
- Slice avocado
- Divide smoked salmon, avocado, goat cheese and arugula into 4 tortillas
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
Your Turn:
- Are you an introvert?
- What’s your go-to ice breaker question at a party?
I’m an introvert too, it’s so hard not to feel awkward (even in the blogosphere), but I love the way you think, I’ll try it out next time!
About the tacos…You had me at avocados and salmon! Anything with them must be divine! I don’t know if it’s just me, but putting salmon in a tacos makes the whole meal luxurious, posh, I love it! – Love, Anna
Thanks so much Anna – glad you can relate – it’s one of those “fake it till ya make it” skills but focusing on listening has definitely helped
I’m an introvert that has always wanted to be an extrovert but I’m starting to accept it! Lovely idea to focus on being interested in other people and this is something I try to do though it sometimes feels like my thoughts slow down and I can’t generate questions/responses, probably anxiety related. Food can help – food should always be involved in social situations I think! Yay tacos! I’m not sure I have a go-to ice breaker question but if I do, it’s something food related.
I’m a big believer that the more you know yourself the better you can BE yourself with comfort and confidence. There are so many amazing perks to being an introvert, listening and curiosity are definitely some of them
I love smoked salmonnnnn. I’m not an introvert, but I definitely love my me-time. At parties, I’m always the person to go up to someone not dancing and be like, MOVE YO. That’s usually a good ice-breaker! 😉 Hahah
Ahh I love those people, hence forth please come to all my parties to make everyone move <3
I’m definitely an introvert but I’m not shy, which is odd. I have an easy time talking to people but need my space to re-charge after. Go-to ice breaker: where are you from? I’ve lived in a bunch of states so there’s a higher percentage we have a connection 🙂
I can totally relate – Yes, it’s a great question because people love their homes so they can usually talk a lot about them. Plus that’s so cool that you’ve traveled/lived in so many places
I am most definitely an introvert and I loved what you said about it recharging your energy. That’s exactly how I feel when I’m alone. If I’m in crowds too long, it overwhelms me. I’ve gotten a lot better at being more outgoing but it still can be awkward!
Oh totally – it’s one of those things that just takes practice, and knowing when it’s ok to turn something down because it’s not worth the extra energy
So stinkin’ genius. I would even eat these for breakfast, maybe slather some cream cheese on that bih. Gorgeous shots!
Giiiirl youz a genius – the cream cheese idea with brekkie? Me gusta
OMG I am the worst at networking. I’m not shy at all but definitely and introvert. I get exhausted just thinking about going out and talking to new people. I have a love of in-person events coming up this summer though, so I’m gonna give your tip a try 🙂
Giirl I can totally relate. Once I know ya I won’t shut up but those first few conversations can be tricky when you’re not in the zone
I’ve gotten better at talking to people I don’t know only through a LOT of practice and faking it til I make it. Sometimes it pays off beautifully, other times I wish I’d stayed home. You never know which it’ll end up being though.
Girl I can 1000% relate – small talk for me is definitely a fake it till ya make it game and yes sometimes I want to run for the hills afterwards
Avocado, goat cheese and smoked salmon…3 of my favorite things in 1 taco! YES PLEASE 🙂
Right? The holy trifecta
You don’t know how obsessed I am with smoked salmon. My mom buys it at costco and it’s gone within two days. I love eating it on giant salads with avocado of course so it’s seem so right to add that to a taco! yum!
It’s so good right! Never gets old
I am SO grateful you shared this Georgie, because I am kind of an extroverted introvert. That’s kind of confusing, right? Well, I really appreciate the fact that introverts have taught me to be a better listener, because I’m often SO bad at listening and really showing compassion for others. I would love to meet you someday Georgie and learn all about you girl, because the way you care for and love on your blog readers is a treasure.
Ahh Emily you always know how to make my day with your kind words. I have a hard time believing you’re not a good listener but it certainly a skill we can all improve on. Meeting you would be so lovely! I definitely sense a bgb meetup in the future
I’m actually a little bit of both which is weird. I love being the center of attention, but only if there is some distance btw me and other people. Like I love giving speeches and presenting, but when people start to come up after to talk to me then I get overwhelmed and tired after a short time. Also, these tacos look BOMB.
I can totally relate – I like to call it being an “outgoing introvert”
I’m an introvert, but I definitely have realized I love listening to people and hearing their stories (and helping them with their struggles, if appropriate). So even though hours and hours of hanging out with new people really tires me out, I still usually leave feeling excited about humans in general. And also these tacos look so simple and completely genius! I don’t have smoked salmon often, but I’m crazy about it. 🙂
Girl I can 100% relate – I’m also the kind of person who leaves social situations happy but drained
Okay love this. I used to always try and think of myself as an extrovert because I really do love being around people, but once my good friend (who’s super interested in this stuff) said it’s based on how you recharge I was like “okay, introvert for sure.” Being a good listener is something that’s so important and I know it benefits me a lot. In my job we always say “your next question is in the person’s last answer”:)
Love that saying! Totally – I used to think I was an extrovert too because I’ve never been shy, but once I understood how to charge my batteries I can enjoy social situations so much more
Being an introvert in an extraverted world can certainly have its challenges, but I think you summed things up beautifully. As I have gotten older I have learned there is so much value in being able to listen to others, and take the alone time I need to recharge and reflect. Cheers to being introverts! Now let’s eat some tacos.
Yes indeed! Listening is so underrated and I know I could always get better. Finding that magic balance of pushing outside your zone and recovering smartly from lots of people time will be a life long challenge but worth while.
Gah you’re just the best. I KNOW I need to change my mindset about chatting with people, or being in large groups. I’m definitely the outgoing introvert in most situations, although I have been mistaken for shy, which I think is funny.
Going out sometimes when you don’t want to is just one of those things you question like “Why the eff do I have to!??!” Ha, just yesterday I got invited to someone’s birthday dinner and I just looked at my sister and whined “But I don’t want to be sociaalllll” And then we laughed. Because we’re the same in that respect but we also know it’s ridiculous. Ugh, I’m going even though I don’t want to 😉