Taco Press: Make Your Own Taco Shells On Demand

The first thing you need to know is how to make corn tortillas to turn into your very own tacos. This is actually quite simple. You'll need corn flour and some warm water. How much you use will depend on how many tortillas you need, and also on the recipe for the corn flour. Look on the bag to see the recommended amount.

For Maseca Corn Flour, which is what I use, you need 2 cups flour to 1 1/2 cups warm water. Mix well to make the dough.

Next, heat your frying pan (preferably cast iron) over medium heat. Take a 2" ball of dough and place it between wax paper or plastic bags in the tortilla press. Flatten to the desired thickness, then lift the press, peel off the tortilla and slap into the frying pan. Depending on the size of the frying pan, you can get up to three or four tortillas going at once. Flip after about two minutes and cook until done.

There are plenty of options out there, which you'll notice as soon as you start looking for a taco press. Which one should you get? It all depends on just what you plan to do with it.

Taco Press for Individuals

This taco press is super useful if you just need to make up a couple of taco shells. Just place the tortilla into it, fold by closing the handles and then hold in hot oil until cooked and crisp. While very simple to use, this taco maker is not very practical if you need more than two or three shells.

Taco Press for Groups

This basket is able to cook up to 8 tacos at once! Perfect for a family gathering or visitors. You just drop in all eight tortillas, add the basket press top and then submerge the entire thing in a vat of hot oil. You will need a large enough pot for this, of course, preferably a deep fryer that is meant to accommodate these.

Taco Press for Bowls

Those cute taco salad bowls you see at restaurants are super simple to make at home. You'll need larger tortillas, but with this press, it's literally as simple as 1, 2, 3 . . . pop the tortilla in, press it and cook. Tadah!

If you really dislike the idea of all that deep frying, not to worry, you can always bake your tacos! This is made nice and easy with mold that you just drape your tortilla over and then bake until crispy. Again, very easy to use.

This handy non-stick baking rack lets you bake up to four tortillas at a time. It's probably best to buy at least a couple or you could spend most of the day trying to make enough taco shells for a party!

If you want bowls still, these can be baked as well.