Taco Bell Chalupas

Ingredients

Chalupas:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
• 1 cup milk
• Oil for frying

Filling:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 ounce taco seasoning
• 1 Roma tomato diced
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1 tablespoon cilantro
• 1/4 cup salsa optional

Instructions

Chalupas:

1. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl. Using a fork, cut the shortening into the flour.
2. Add the milk and stir until combined. The dough should come together in a ball. Knead the dough a few times for a soft dough. If the dough doesn’t come together well, add a teaspoon of milk at a time till the dough forms a nice ball but isn’t wet.
3. Cut the dough in half, then each half into 4 equal pieces – 8 pieces total.
4. Make a round disk with a piece of dough and roll out into a thin round disk about 5 to 6 inches.
5. Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a deep frying pan to 350°. When the oil is hot, use tongs to lift a piece of dough into the oil. Hold half the dough in the oil and half the dough out of the oil. When one side has puffed up and browned, turn the chalupa over, carefully folding the dough in half. Use the tongs to hold the fried part up a little creating a taco shell.
6. Place the fried shells onto a paper towel lined plate.

Assemble:

7. Cook the hamburger meat till it is no longer pink. Add the taco seasoning and stir until combined.
8. Place a few tablespoons of the meat in the shells, then add some shredded lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cheese, cilantro and salsa.
9. Serve immediately.