Gorditas Crispy Puffy Tacos Recipes

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.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the masa harina, salt and hot water. Gradually mix in the shortening and flour. If the dough seems dry, add a little more hot water. Form the dough into balls that will fit into the palm of your hand.
• Line a work surface with waxed paper or plastic. Sprinkle with water. Flatten balls on the wet surface until about 1/4 inch thick.
• Heat a griddle or comal over medium heat. Cook the gorditas on each side until they are cooked through.
• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat until hot. Fry each gordita until puffed, pressing it down into the oil occasionally with a spatula. Drain briefly on paper towels, cut the tips off and stuff full of your favorite foods.

Steps:

• Make Copycat Taco Bell Seasoned Beef, reserving 21/2 cups for Gorditas.
• Make Spicy Ranch:.
• In a small bowl, stir together Copycat Taco Bell Spicy Ranch ingredients, chill, covered until ready to use.
• Heat oven to 400°F Using kitchen shears trim soft tortillas so they are 5 1/2 inches in diameter.
• On a rimmed baking sheet, top each tortilla with 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Cook tortillas until cheese has melted, 5 to 7 minutes. Moving quickly, place a crunchy taco on top of each baked tortilla (only covering half), pressing gently to adhere cheese. Flip tacos with a spatula to adhere cheese to the other side of the taco shells.
• Dividing evenly, fill Cheesy Gordita Crunch shells with Copycat Taco Bell Seasoned Beef, lettuce, cheese, and Copycat Taco Bell Spicy Ranch Sauce.