Crispy Taco Shell Recipes

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.

CRISP TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed, straight-sided skillet, heat 1 inch vegetable oil over medium until it registers 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Add a corn tortilla and fry 15 seconds per side.
• Fold tortilla in half, pressing one side to bottom of skillet and holding other side up with tongs. Cook until crisp and golden, 15 to 30 seconds. Flip and repeat, pressing other side into oil.
• Drain on paper towels. Repeat to make as many shells as you like; a good rule of thumb is 2 tacos per person.

CRISPY CORN TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• To make U-shaped taco shells from 5 1/2-inch corn tortillas, a wire taco fry basket with slots that form multiple shells (anywhere from 4 to 8) at a time is the easiest way to shape and fry them. They're available at restaurant supply stores or online. Or, to create shells from 5 1/2-inch corn tortillas, or wonton skins or egg roll wrappers cut into 5 1/2-inch rounds, make a mold from a 5 1/2-inch diameter metal can lid. Remove the lid from the can (preferably with a can opener that leaves a rounded dull edge on the lid). Fold the lid over a slim dowel-like a sharpening steel for knives-creating a slightly rounded (not sharply pinched) fold and a 1 1/2-inch gap at the top.
• For frying, in a deep fryer or large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat about 5 inches of canola oil over medium heat until it reaches 350˚F on a deep-fat thermometer (monitor the temperature carefully; any hotter, and the shells will be too dark; any cooler, and they will be greasy).
• To fry shells using a taco basket: Place a tortilla in each slot and submerge the basket in hot oil. Fry until a light golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from the hot oil and transfer to paper towels to drain.
• To fry shells using a handmade mold: Wrap a taco-sized (5 1/2-inch diameter) yellow corn tortilla, wonton skin, or egg roll wrapper around the outside of the mold, hold the mold with tongs, and submerge it into the hot oil. Fry the tortilla until a light golden brown, 1 minute. Fry a wonton skin or egg roll wrapper until it puffs up and turns light golden brown, 10 to 15 seconds for wonton skins and about 15 seconds for egg roll wrappers. Remove from the hot oil and transfer to paper towels to drain.

CRISPY ALL-CHEESE TACO SHELLS

Steps:

• 1. Using a paper towel, spread a thin layer of vegetable oil on the inside of the ring mold. Wipe a thin layer of oil into a small cast iron or non-stick skillet and place over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Place ring mold in center of skillet and sprinkle a very light layer of cheese inside it. It should form an even layer in which you can still see the black bottom of the pan poking through in spots. Carefully remove ring mold and set aside.
• 2. Cook cheese until it stops bubbling and is an even golden brown throughout, adjusting heat so that pan is hot but not smoking (you should never take it above medium-low). Use a thin metal spatula to carefully remove cheese from pan.
• 3. Working quickly, drape the cheese over the handle of a thick wooden spoon placed over two overturned cups and form into a shell shape. It will harden within a few seconds. Transfer to a plate to cool completely. Repeat with remaining cheese to make more shells. After cooling completely, these shells can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Fill as desired (such as with soft scrambled eggs, or with charred corn), and serve.