Tacos Dorados 

Tacos Dorados, meaning "golden tacos," are a beloved Mexican dish featuring crispy, golden corn tortillas filled with a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef and mashed potatoes. These tacos are typically folded and shallow-fried to achieve a delightful crunch. They're often topped with shredded lettuce, Mexican crema, salsa, and crumbled cheese, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

• For the filling:

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • ½ small onion, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1½ teaspoons chili powder

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

  • 16 small corn tortillas

• For frying:

  • Vegetable oil (enough to shallow fry)

• For toppings:

  • Mexican crema

  • Shredded lettuce

  • Salsa (roasted tomato salsa recommended)

  • Chopped cilantro

  • Crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese

Directions:

1. Prepare the Potatoes: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the diced potatoes and cook until fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and return them to the pot. Mash the potatoes until smooth and set aside.

2. Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes.

3. Season the Meat: Stir in the chili powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and ground cumin. Mix well to combine and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

4. Combine Beef and Potatoes: Add the mashed potatoes to the cooked ground beef mixture. Stir thoroughly until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

5. Assemble the Tacos: Warm the corn tortillas in the microwave until pliable. Place 2 tablespoons of the beef and potato mixture onto one half of each tortilla. Fold the tortilla over to enclose the filling, forming a half-moon shape.

6. Fry the Tacos: In a skillet, heat about ¼ inch of vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the folded tacos, cooking in batches if necessary. Fry each taco for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.

7. Serve: Place the fried tacos on a serving platter. Top with shredded lettuce, a drizzle of Mexican crema, salsa, chopped cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: Approximately 250 kcal

• Protein: 15g

• Fat: 15g

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 2g

• Sodium: 500mg

• Cholesterol: 40mg