Puffy Taco Shells Recipes

PUFFY TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• Mix masa harina, salt, and 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water together in a bowl using your fingertips until dough forms and pulls away from the sides, 2 or 3 minutes. Form into a firm, flattened ball and divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball. Keep dough balls covered with a damp paper towel as you fry them, one at a time.
• Place dough ball between 2 sheets of plastic or a split open zip top bag. Flatten to form a small circle about 1/8 to 3/16 inch thick.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, slide in the first circle. Very carefully baste hot oil over the top of the shell with a spoon to keep oil circulating over the top surface. When shell has puffed (after about 15 seconds), cook another few seconds and flip it over and cook another 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat for each shell.
• When shells are still warm and pliable, gently push down puffed tops to create room for the fillings and slightly crease the shells for folding.
• Fill with your favorite taco fixings and serve while shells are still warm.

HARD TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• Heat about 1 inch of oil in a heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C).
• Use tongs to place one tortilla at a time into the oil. It should start to sizzle right away. Cook for about 15 seconds, then flip over and fold the shell in half, holding in place with the tongs until crispy, about 15 seconds. You may need a little practice at first. Drain on paper towels, and sprinkle with salt while still hot. Use for tacos right away, or they may become chewy. Leftovers may be heated in the oven for crisping.

PUFFY TACO SHELLS RECIPE

Steps:

• Mix the masa harina, salt, and lukewarm water together in a bowl using fingertips for 2 or 3 minutes until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides.
• Form into a firm, flattened ball and divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball. Keep the dough balls covered with a damp paper towel while frying, 1 at a time.
• Place the dough ball between 2 sheets of plastic or a split open zip-top bag. Flatten to form a small circle about ⅛-inch thick.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, slide in the first circle. Very carefully baste the hot oil over the top of the shell with a spoon to keep the oil circulating over the top surface.
• After about 15 seconds, when the shell has puffed, cook another few seconds and flip it over and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat for each shell.
• When the shells are still warm and pliable, gently push down puffed tops to create room for the fillings and slightly crease the shells for folding.
• Fill with desired taco fixings and serve while shells are still warm. Enjoy!

PUFFY TACOS

Steps:

• For the taco shells: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, heat 3 inches oil to 375 degrees F or preheat your fryer to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• Mix the masa harina and 1 teaspoon salt together in medium bowl. Add the warm water and combine until it comes together, about 30 seconds. Cover the dough and let rest for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball. Keep covered and work quickly.
• Cut two 8-inch squares of parchment and line a tortilla press. Add a dough ball, then top with the other piece of parchment and press into disc, 5- to 6-inches in diameter.
• Carefully remove the tortilla and place in the hot oil. Fry the tortilla until it begins to puff, 25 to 30 seconds, then flip the tortilla, cooking another 25 to 30 seconds. Press down in the center of the tortilla with a metal spatula to form a taco shell, submerging the tortilla completely. Fry until golden brown and the taco shell holds its shape, another 30 to 45 seconds.
• Let drain on a wire rack lined baking sheet, then season with salt and reserve. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• For the filling: Heat a 12-inch cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring to break up; sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook the ground beef fully, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and onion, stirring to prevent burning. Meanwhile, combine the cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano and cayenne in a bowl, stirring to combine. Once the garlic and onion begin to turn translucent, about 1 minute, add the seasoning mixture and stir to combine. Add the crushed tomatoes to the same bowl and stir to combine, collecting any remaining spices, then add to the pan. Stir together until the beef is coated and allow to simmer until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Equally divide the taco meat into the puffy taco shells. Add equal amounts lettuce, sour cream and pico de gallo to each taco. Grate Cheddar over each taco with a rasp grater. Serve with lime wedges.

PUFFY TACOS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. When the dough is consistent begin rolling dough balls about the size of a ping pong ball. Using a tortilla press that is lined in a thick plastic, press out the dough. You use the plastic (it can be a ziploc bag that has been cut) so that the dough does not stick to the tortilla press. Meanwhile have a deep pot filled with cooking oil approximately 2 inches high and heated to 250 degrees. Drop the flat tortilla in the hot oil and using a metal spatula repeatedly douse with the oil. You will see that it will begin to puff up. Flip it over and using the spatula make an indention in the middle of the tortilla to forma taco shape. Remove from oil and allow to drain. Fill with ground meat, shredded chicken, guacamole, bean and cheese or your favorite filling. Top with shredded lettuce and diced tomato.
• Caution; Be very careful when making these. Make sure there is proper ventilation and do not allow the oil to get too hot. Also, if you can't get your hands on a tortilla press then use a clean counter. You will still need the plastic so that the dough does not stick to the counter. Place your dough ball on the plastic and cover with more plastic and then using something heavy to press it out.

TACO PUFF PASTRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a large skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in taco seasoning, pepper, tomato sauce and chiles. Cool completely., On a lightly floured surface, unfold 1 puff pastry sheet. Roll into a 15x12-in. rectangle; cut into twenty 3-in. squares. Spoon 1 rounded tablespoon beef mixture in the center of each square. Brush edges of pastry with a bit of water; fold pastry over filling, forming a triangle. Press edges with a fork to seal. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling., In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon water and egg whites; brush over tops. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 10-14 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

ULTIMATE CHEWY TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat in a 12 inch skillet.
• Once the oil is rippling, drop in the tortilla and flip immediately to ensure even coating of the oil on both sides.
• After about 30 seconds, bubbles will begin to form on the top. ( I usually break these with my tongs).
• Check the underside for desired crispiness, flip.
• Once the other side begins to brown/crisp, fold the tortilla into a taco shape, and contiue to cook for about 30 seconds longer.
• Drain on paper towels.

PUFFY TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
• When the dough is consistent begin rolling dough balls about the size of a ping pong ball.
• Using a tortilla press that is lined in a thick plastic, press out the dough. You use the plastic (it can be a ziploc bag that has been cut) so that the dough does not stick to the tortilla press.
• Meanwhile have a deep pot filled with cooking oil approximately 2 inches high and heated to 250 degrees.
• Drop the flat tortilla in the hot oil and using a metal spatula repeatedly douse with the oil.
• You will see that it will begin to puff up.
• Flip it over and using the spatula make an indention in the middle of the tortilla to forma taco shape.
• Remove from oil and allow to drain.
• Fill with ground meat, shredded chicken, guacamole, bean and cheese or your favorite filling. Top with shredded lettuce and diced tomato.
• Caution: Be very careful when making these. Make sure there is proper ventilation and do not allow the oil to get too hot. Also, if you can't get your hands on a tortilla press then use a clean counter. You will still need the plastic so that the dough does not stick to the counter. Place your dough ball on the plastic and cover with more plastic and then using something heavy to press it out.