Classic Crispy Rolled Tacos (AKA Flautas or Taquitos) with everything (Tacos Dorados Clásicos (AKA Flautas o Taquitos) con todo)
- Cuisine
- Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups coarsely shredded cooked chicken, beef or pork OR 1 ½ cups coarsely mashed, seasoned potato or beans OR 1 ½ cups ricotta (like the dryish, hand-scooped kind)
- Salt
- Vegetable oil (preferably one designated for high heat use) to a depth of about ½ inch for frying
- 12 corn tortillas (the thinner the better—look for ones that make great chips)
- About 3/4 cup Mexican crema, crème fraiche or sour cream thinned with a little milk or cream
- About 1 cup salsa (see note above for recipes)
- About 2 cups sliced (¼ inch) hearts of romaine or iceberg lettuce
- A few tablespoons (loosely packed) chopped cilantro
- A sliced radish or two
- Several tablespoons crumbled or grated Mexican queso fresco or queso añejo or other garnishing cheese like feta, goat cheese, Romano or Parmesan
Steps
- 1
Make the tacos. Scoop the filling into a bowl and season generously with salt. Feel free to add other seasonings if you wish–crumbled Mexican oregano, chopped cilantro, chopped hot green chile are good options. In a large (10-inch) skillet, heat the oil over medium until hot enough to make the edge of a tortilla sizzle sharply, about 350 deegrees. With tongs, pick up 3 tortillas at a time, slide them into the hot oil, wait a few seconds for them to sizzle sharply, then quickly remove, drain on paper towels and pat dry. When the tortillas are just cool enough to handle, roll about 2 tablespoons of filling tightly into each one, laying them seam-side down once they are rolled. On about 3-inch wooden picks, skewer 3 taquitos together, making sure that the flaps are held in place on the inside. Separate them a bit so all sides are exposed to oil.
- 2
Fry the tacos. Reheat the oil until it's hot enough to make the edge of a taco sizzle sharply, about 360 to 370 degrees, fry the skewered tacos in two batches, flipping after 1 ½ to 2 minutes, when the undersides are crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- 3
Serve. Line up the tacos on a platter. Drizzle them with the crema, then the salsa. Top with the lettuce, then strew with chopped cilantro, sliced radish and crumbled cheese.
Source: rickbayless.com·Own this recipe or photo? Request removal