One of my favorite threads from the old board is this undying thread about recreating taco bell at home:
It’s been nagging at me for almost a decade and I finally tackled taco night last night. My ground beef game was pretty spot on using the instructions in that thread, but I think my results would be better if I had “better” products going in
Seasoning - I used the TB mix to try to recreate the magic. Google says “best” store bought is probably Lawry’s taco seasoning. Is this as good as it’s going to get?
Shells - I want to fry my own but it’s just too much hassle for the volume I need. I used the 365 shells this time and they were tiny - like, I get bigger taco shells for 39 cents from Del Taco. Google says Old El Paso probably as good as it’s going to get for store bought.
Sauce - I used some bougie ass green hot sauce but you know, it doesn’t hit the nostalgia. Any jarred/bottle taco sauce hit that itch?
Ended up making taco salad supreme because the shells were so damn small.
Get the Old El Paso shells that are squared off on the bottom and stand up on their own, they are pretty wide and can overstuff them for massive tacos.
If you find these… buy these… They are locally made and super crisp and tasty. I’ve gotten at Food4Less…
Also, for shredded cheese, I really love the thick grated Tillamook
We always have La Victoria Taco Sauce… It’s great to mix with the ground beef or chicken (We make tacos with Chicken now, they tend to take on the flavor of taco seasoning and sauce better).
My Mom used to make them fairly often, but more like Jack in the Box Style… fried with the Picadillo already in them… then you kinda crack them open and stuff them with lettuce and drizzle on crema and cheese.
I love the open shelled version because you can add more toppings A little smear of beans, the meat, cheese, the taco sauce, fresh tomato, shredded iceberg lettuce and cream. It’s such a delight in one bite. We make them way more than I care to admit. LOL! We would have them this week, but we are having Tuna Tostadas instead…
Also, you don’t have to use ground beef with them, you can use shredded chicken like tinga.
Awesome! Please buy them. I bought them first at Northgate but since they haven’t shown up again! ARGH. Los Pericos is a small company that is easily pushed out by the Guerro/Gruma stranglehold…
