How I Used AI to Reverse Engineer This Taco Recipe—and How It Will Do Nothing for Your SaaS Marketing

How I Used AI to Reverse Engineer This Taco Recipe—and How It Will Do Nothing for Your SaaS Marketing illustration
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Brian HopeAuthor: Brian Hope

Recently, after spending an entire day obsessively pondering SaaS str, I stumbled upon this image of tacos served with a rich consommé on Instagram. I had no idea what a consommé was, but the sight of crispy tortillas dipped into a flavorful broth was insanely irresistible. Too much to ignore. Determined to recreate this masterpiece at home, I decided to harness ChatGPT to reverse-engineer the recipe.

The Quest for the Perfect Taco

The journey began with a simple image upload to ChatGPT and asking it to "Analyze this picture and give me the vegetarian recipe and shopping list to make this happen" My wife is vegetarian, so if I want to enjoy this with any comfort, it needs to be this way (un)fortunately.

Using AI for Culinary Reconnaissance

I uploaded the image ChatGPT, which identified the dish as birria tacos served with consommé. Traditionally a meat-centric recipe, birria tacos are known for their rich flavors and tender fillings. The challenge was to create a vegetarian version without compromising on taste.

Reverse Engineering the Recipe with AI

ChatGPT gathered information on traditional birria recipes, common ingredients, and cooking techniques. It miraculously helped me formulate a vegetarian alternative using mushrooms and beans to replicate the texture and depth of flavor found in the original dish.

Why This Means Nothing for Your SaaS Marketing

You might wonder how this culinary adventure translates to insights about SaaS marketing. The truth is, it doesn't—and that's the point.

The AI Hype vs. Practical Application

AI is often touted as the silver bullet for all problems, including marketing. However, my experience shows that while AI can excel in specific tasks—like helping to reverse engineer a recipe—it doesn't automatically revolutionize every field it touches.

  • Context Matters: AI assisted me in understanding and recreating a recipe but didn't generate anything creative
  • Human Touch is Irreplaceable: Crafting effective SaaS marketing campaigns requires empathy, understanding of customer pain points, and creative storytelling—areas where AI still falls short.
  • Avoiding the One-Size-Fits-All Mentality: Just because AI can do something doesn't mean it's the best tool for every job.

Using AI to reverse engineer a taco recipe was a fun and rewarding experience that satisfied my curiosity. It showcased how AI can assist in niche, specific tasks. However, when it comes to SaaS marketing, relying solely on AI without human insight is unlikely to yield the desired results.

So, the next time you see an appetizing dish you'd like to recreate, don't hesitate to enlist AI as your sous-chef. But for your SaaS marketing needs, maybe stick to tried-and-true human ingenuity... with maybe a little help from AI.


For those still reading...

These are the best tacos I've ever, ever made!

Ingredients for the Tacos

  • 2 cups mushrooms (shiitake, portobello, or button mushrooms), chopped
  • 1 can black beans (or pinto beans), drained and rinsed
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper (optional), diced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Corn tortillas
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
  • Chopped white onion (for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)

Ingredients for the Consommé

  • 1 large tomato, chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Mushroom and Bean Filling:
    • In a pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until they’re soft and fragrant.
    • Add the diced bell pepper (if using) and chopped mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms have released their water and start to brown.
    • Add the black beans, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and let it cook for another 5-7 minutes until flavors meld together. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the Consommé:
    • In a pot, add some oil and sauté the chopped onion, garlic, and tomato until softened.
    • Add the vegetable broth, bay leaf, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
    • Let the broth simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Strain the broth to make a clear consommé (optional). Garnish with fresh cilantro.
  3. Assemble the Tacos:
    • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil. Dip each corn tortilla briefly in the consommé to coat, then place on the skillet.
    • Add a spoonful of the mushroom and bean filling to one side of the tortilla, fold it over, and press gently. Cook until crispy and golden brown on each side.
    • Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
  4. Serve:
    • Serve the tacos with a side of consommé for dipping. Garnish with chopped white onions, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.

Shopping List

  • Mushrooms (shiitake, portobello, or button)
  • Canned black beans or pinto beans
  • Small onion
  • Garlic
  • Bell pepper (optional)
  • Cumin powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Chili powder
  • Oregano
  • Salt and pepper
  • Corn tortillas
  • Vegetable oil
  • Fresh cilantro
  • White onion (for garnish)
  • Lime
  • Tomato
  • Vegetable broth
  • Bay leaf