Taco-klahoma

“Why do dragons love tacos? Maybe it’s the smell from the sizzling pan. Maybe it’s the crunch of the crispy tortillas. Maybe it’s a secret.” —from the children’s book Dragons Love Tacos

It doesn’t get much better than perfectly seasoned meats, fresh vegetables and savory cheeses stuffed, wrapped or tucked into crisp or soft tortillas, lettuce or some other casing. Sauced, salsa-ed and sprinkled tacos could, quite possibly, be the perfect food.

We tested our theory in this Triple Take by challenging our home cook, Wade Boswell; our pro, Candace Conley of The Girl Can Cook!; and our own Edible Tulsa kitchen team to create their own versions of the total taco package. Each unique; each filled with opportunity to utilize local ingredients; each delicious.

The Home Cook:

Born and raised in Tulsa, Wade Boswell is an OSU grad and has owned a landscaping business, Cityscape, since 2002. “I started cooking when I was young to curb my sweet tooth,” he said. “I really liked being able to know how to cook the things that I wanted to eat. Cake was almost always the preferred choice.”

He says that before he left for college his mom taught him how to make some staple meals like roasted chicken, one of the easiest and tastiest. Now he enjoys cooking for friends and family and says it’s not as much about the specific dish or recipe as it is “having all the people we love over and enjoying good food together.” Grilling on the Hasty-Bake has become the house favorite. Wade lives in Tulsa with his wife, Quannah, and their 2-year-old daughter.

The Pro:

Chef Candace Conley of The Girl Can Cook! proved just that when she prepared these amazing lettuce wraps. Conley comes from a long line of talented home cooks and has developed a self-taught culinary style that positions her as the only chef personality and entrepreneur in Tulsa who does what she does. As chef and owner at The Girl Can Cook!, Conley offers recreational cooking classes at her newly renovated studio and catering kitchen in The Rose District of Broken Arrow. She shows people of all skill levels how to fearlessly cook in her kitchen and transition that technique and mindset over to their own daily lives. “Cooking Without a Parachute” and “Stupid, Easy and Delicious” are a few of the common phrases that have evolved from Conley’s no-fuss, non-intimidating and fun approach to teaching others how to cook at home. Her mission is simple: to teach people how to cook at home … and enjoy it.