Taco Salad with Homemade Shells

Taco salad is one of those meals that EVERYONE likes. Regular tacos are a go-to meal for families because they're fast and easy and kids get to chose their own toppings. Take it one step further by making your own homemade shells and you will be a super hero in the kitchen.

• store bought flour tortillas
• ground beef or chicken
• taco seasoning
• iceberg lettuce (is this the only place iceberg lettuce is acceptable? In my opinion, yes!)
• Tex Mex shredded cheese
• sour cream
• salsa
• your favourite taco toppings (corn, black beans, chopped red pepper, green onion etc)

In a cast iron pan heat about 1/8 inch of vegetable oil on medium high heat. Do not set your temperature super high or you will have a hospital visit in the near future. Once the oil looks shimmery tear off a tiny corner of a tortilla and drop it in. If it starts to bubble a bit crisp up you are in business. If turns brown your oil is too hot! Add a tortilla flat to the oil with tongs and keep a very close eye on it. It will puff up like a balloon and you can pop the bubbles if you want to keep it flat for even cooking. Once it is golden turn it over with tongs and repeat on the other side. When both sides are lightly crisped and golden remove from the oil. At this point you want to shape your taco "bowl". I do this by covering a dinner plate with a few sheets of paper towl. On top of this I place a small bowl face down. Then the hot tortilla gets draped over the small bowl. Now I place a larger bowl on top of the hot tortilla to bend the sides of the tortilla down and force it into a bowl shape.

Once the shells have cooled they will remain in a bowl shape and they are DELICIOUS. As they are cooling prepare your taco beef according to the package and chop up the other toppings. Fill each shell with iceberg lettuce, top with beef, and let everyone add their own favourite toppings.

Mmmm perfect with a beer and lime.

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