Welcome to our series Food Holidays March 21st, 2021. Today is National Crunchy Taco Day. My whole family loves Tacos and I thought about making them for dinner this evening.
But David took Hamburger Patties out the other day for Smothered Steak but for me I am going to make Mock Hamburger Steaks with Grilled Onions and Mashed Potatoes.
Do you prefer Crunchy Tacos or Soft Tacos and why? Chicken or Beef?
Charlie likes Crunchy Beef Tacos with just Cheese and no Veggies on his. Unless he goes to Taco Bell and get the Dorito Taco. Which isn’t for me. Have you had one? Did you like it?
David prefers Soft Tacos and usually gets Beef but he also likes Steak and Chicken. He will eat Crunchy Tacos with me sometimes but they hurt his teeth.
As for me I like Crunchy Beef Tacos with only Cheese and a tad bit of Lettuce. I used to love getting Tacos at Taco Bell but not anymore because they don’t put anything on them.
Classic crispy tacos
Course Main CourseCuisine Tex-MexCook Time 45 minutesServings 12 tacosAuthor Lisa Fain
Ingredients
For the ground beef filling:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced We don’t use Onions because Charlie and David don’t like them.
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced You don’t have to use this if you don’t want to. I don’t in mine or Charlie’s but might in David’s/
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Chili Powder You can use more or less Chili Powder depending on your taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin Again you can use more or less depending on your taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch Cayenne Most of the times I leave this out as I can’t have Spicy food but will add it to David’s
- Tomatoes chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped Cilantro We do not use this but a lot of our friends top there Tacos with this.
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
For the tacos:
- Oil for frying
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- Tomatoes Chopped
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded yellow cheddar or Colby-Jack cheese I usually get Kraft Mexican Cheese at Walmart
- Additional Toppings: Sour Cream, Salsa (Picante Sauce) or Avocado
Instructions
- To make the filling, in a large skillet, heat the oil on medium-low heat and add the onion and jalapeño. While stirring occasionally, cook until the onions and jalapeño are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
- Add to the skillet the ground beef, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, cayenne, tomatoes, and cilantro. Stir until everything is well combined then turn the heat down to low and simmer while stirring occasionally until the meat is browned, about 15 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and taste and adjust seasonings. Remove from the heat.
- To make the tacos, line a baking sheet with paper towels and heat 2 inches of oil to 350°F in a heavy skillet. Take a tortilla and fold it in half into a “U” shape, holding it with tongs in the center. Using the tongs, dip one half of the tortilla, lengthwise, into the hot oil, leaving the other half out of the oil. Fry the first side until crisp, about 10 seconds, and then repeat for the other side, holding the already-cooked side out of the oil. Drain the taco shell on a paper-towel-lined sheet and repeat until all the shells are fried.
- To assemble the tacos, take each shell and fill with ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese. Serve with salsa on the side, if desire
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
