How to Cook Homemade Tacos

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 40 mins

Ingredients needed to make homemade tacos:

For the taco shells:

• 8 corn tortillas, each about 6’’ wide
• ¾ cup vegetable oil

For the beef filling:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the toppings:

• 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 small tomatoes, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, minced
• ½ cup sour cream
• Hot pepper sauce, as required

Cooking instructions for homemade tacos:

To make the taco shells:

• Pour oil into a heavy-bottomed skillet and heat it over moderate flame for about 5 minutes until its temperature soars up to 350 degrees F.
• Spread two layers of paper towels into a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
• Hold the tortilla between a pair of tongs and dip half of it into the hot, bubbling oil; keep it half-immersed in oil with the help of a metal spatula in the other hand.
• Fry the tortilla for about half a minute but don’t let it brown.
• Keep the tortilla open, 2’’ wide while it still remains half-immersed in oil and continue to fry for another 30 seconds or until it turns golden brown.
• Flip it over and fry the other side similarly for 1 ½ minutes or until golden brown.
• Place the shell to the lined baking sheet, upside down, to drain off any extra grease.
• Fry rest of the taco shells in a similar fashion and set them aside while you make the filling.

To make the filling:

• Heat oil in a skillet over moderate heat for about 2 minutes but don’t let it smoke.
• Throw in the onions and stir-fry them for about 4 minutes or until they soften.
• Stir in the garlic, along with a dash of salt as well as the ground spices and continue to saute for a minute until the mixture gives out a nice aroma.
• Add the ground meat and cook further for about 5 minutes while crumbling the beef with the spoon.
• Stir in rest of the ingredients for the filling and cook them until they are brought to a simmer.
• Lower the heat and continue to simmer for about 10 minutes, uncovered, until the sauce thickens; taste and adjust the seasonings before removing it from heat.

To assemble:

• Spoon the filling into the taco shells and pile up the veggies and avocado, one after another, into the shell.
• Spread the minced cilantro, followed by a lashing of hot pepper sauce.
• Top it up with sour cream and sprinkle shredded cheese over them.
• Serve and enjoy.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons