When the parents were here a couple of weeks ago we whet to Los Gatos. They’ve got all kinds of little shops selling over priced stuff. In one of the stores I bought a taco shell gizmo. I’m not sure if the link brings you to the brand I’ve got but it’s similar and should work just the same. My mother did look at me a bit funny when I bought it, like I was a bit touched.
We tried this shell doohickey this week and the tacos turned out great. Our first batch of shells was allowed to cook until they were firm and slightly chewy, maybe 6 or 7 minutes at 400 F. The second batch we left in for 10 minutes or so and came out crunchy. They were also good but I think we preferred the slightly chewier shells. But both were far better than the taco shells you get in a box. The fresh flavor made all the difference.
Basically, you take some corn tortillas, nuke them for 30 seconds or so to soften them up, spray them with oil, and toss them on the preheated rack. Let them bake, remove the shells from the rack, load them up, and you’re good to go.
These shells aren’t quite as good as frying corn tortillas in oil to crisp them up but it’s not nearly so messy.
Stumble it!