Jack In The Box Beef Tacos (copycat)

Total Time: 24 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 24 hrs Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 cups cold water
• 1 cup ground texturized soy protein (grind in food processor)
• 2 tablespoons defatted soy grits (or soy flour)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 teaspoons dried onion flakes
• 1 tablespoon plain chili powder
• 1 tablespoon masa corn flour
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon accent seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 dash ground black pepper
• 1 dash cayenne pepper
• 1 dash citric acid (natural flavor enhancer)
• 1 stone-ground corn tortilla
• pure canola oil
• 1 teaspoon taco sauce (jack in the box taco sauce (copycat))
• 1/2 slice american cheese, divided diagonally
• 2 tablespoons shredded iceberg lettuce

Recipe

• 1 please note: these are make-ahead tacos. you must fill then freeze tacos before frying for authentic results. prepare my "copycat jack in the box taco sauce" recipe (recipe #423994) before assembling deep-fried tacos.
• 2 pour 3 cups cold water into a medium bowl; add the remaining seasoning mix ingredients (1 cup texturized soy protein, 2 tablespoons defatted soy grits (or soy flour), 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 4 teaspoons dried onion flakes, 1 tablespoon plain chili powder, 1 tablespoon masa corn flour, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon accent seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 dash ground black pepper, 1 dash cayenne pepper, 1 dash citric acid); whisk mixture well until dry ingredients are thoroughly dissolved; set aside.
• 3 brown the ground taco beef in a skillet over medium-high heat while stirring without overcooking (drain ground beef if necessary); pour the blended seasoning mix into the 1 lb browned taco beef in skillet; raise heat to high and boil mixture for one minute, stirring; reduce heat to medium and cook mixture, stirring occasionally, until very little liquid remains and ground beef is moist yet not soggy.
• 4 cover beef mixture and reduce heat to low; simmer for 5-7 minutes to steam and tenderize meat, and for flavors to infuse fully (add more water to refresh consistency if needed); transfer filling to a food processor and process until fairly fine in texture: return to skillet on lowest heat to keep warm.
• 5 divide enough needed american cheese slices diagonally; shred enough needed iceberg lettuce; heat 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil in a skillet over low heat; turn corn tortillas one at a time in a skillet on both sides until moistened and pliable (this helps tortillas from tearing); stack prepared tortillas between paper towels to blot.
• 6 spoon about 1 tablespoon of warm beef filling mixture into each tortilla; fold tortilla in half so bottom is curled; press bottom filled half carefully without tearing tortilla using a taco press or makeshift mold ); leave taco tops open by about 1 inch; carefully arrange filled, formed tacos into ziploc bags without crowding or touching; arrange sealed tacos in a resealable plastic container, to protect them from breakage; freeze overnight or until ready to deep-fry.
• 7 slowly preheat deep-fryer with manufacturer's recommended amount of oil to 365°f .
• 8 fry tacos one at a time for 55 - 65 seconds at 365 °f while supporting each taco with a taco press or tongs; place cooked tacos on absorbent paper to drain slightly (i recommend one person frying and one person assembling for better efficiency and fresh, hot tacos!).
• 9 to assemble tacos: open each fried taco carefully; pour 1 teaspoon prepared jack in the box copycat taco sauce (jack in the box taco sauce (copycat)); place one cut american cheese triangle into one side; garnish with 2 tablespoons shredded iceberg lettuce.
• 10 enjoy your jack in the box tacos and say, "eat your heart out, jack!".