DIY Fried Taco Shells

1. Best to make sure all your fillings are ready to go. Now pour about 1/2 inch of oil into a large skillet and set over medium-high heat. When it’s hot, put a tortilla in the pan and let it cook until it starts blistering but is still soft, before it starts to get even a little crisp, less than 15 seconds.

2. Flip the tortilla with tongs then immediately fold it in half and hold it for a few seconds. Once the tortilla is crisp enough to hold its shape, cook it, carefully turning every few seconds, until it’s crisp all over, 15 to 30 seconds more. Figure each tortilla takes about a minute.

3. Transfer to towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, adjusting the heat and adding more oil as necessary. They’ll actually get crisper after they sit a few minutes, but try to eat them within an hour.

— Recipe adapted from How to Cook Everything: The Basics