Making tacos for dinner is a fast way to impart a little Mexican flavor into dinnertime. Though you can readily find taco shells in a grocery store, opt to make your own shells. Using store-bought tortillas, you can either bake or fry your own shells to turn a taco dinner into a more homemade meal.
Bake corn tortillas for a lower fat, less greasy homemade taco shell. Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Steam tortilla shells by wrapping four to six tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave them on high for 30 seconds. Season the warm tortillas with salt on both sides. Remove the tortillas from the microwave. Drape tortillas over the rack grates in the oven so the opening points down to the bottom of the oven. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove using pot holders and cool on a wire rack.
Make crispy taco shells by heating 1/2 inch oil in a skillet. Fry tortillas, one at a time, for two to three minutes per side. Drain tortillas on a plate lined with paper towels to create a flat taco shell. Season with salt after removing from the oil if you want a salted shell.
Use the same method of frying tortillas on the stove to create curved taco shells. After removing from the oil, drape the hot tortilla over a tall glass laid on its side. As the tortilla cools and hardens, it will form a taco shell. You can also drape the hot tortilla over an upside down ramekin or coffee cup.