~SAUCE

2 large cans of whole tomatos{don't buy crushed}
2 large onions,chopped{I dice 2 cause you need one for the sauce and one for topping!!
3 or 4 TBLS of ketchup
2 tsp of chili powder
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of garlic powder[I love real garlic, but over powers this sauce]
Tobasco...I use a lot{start with about 6 good shakes of the bottle}

~THE SHELLS

1 and a half cups of cornmeal{I use self-rising mix}
1 and a half cups of flour {I use plain}
1 tsp of salt
1TBLS of oil
2 and a half cups of cold water
2 eggs
~This mixture should be thin like pancake batter.

I crush the tomatos by hand in a bowl. I use my very clean hands to squish and break them up.
Be careful here or you will be wearing them!
In a large pot, i brown the onion with about 3 tbls of oil cause I use big ole onions
Add about 2 or three TBLS of flour{add a little oil if needed}Brown this mixture.
This is where the flavor is, yum!
Add the tomatos, ketchup, chili powder, salt,garlic powder and tobasco.
Let simmer for a while, tasting to see if more salt or TOBASCO is needed.

~Shells

Mix all the ingredients together.
I use an electris skillet set almost as high as it will go.
Everyone is different, Dana's gets much hotter than mine, so be careful.

Add some oil to the skillet and heat. I drop a little batter in the pan to test readiness.
Place three Tabls of mixture in pan and then with the back of the spoon spread it out to make a circle.
This should be thin and about 8 to 10 inches in size.
You will mess up the first one so you get to eat it!
Make sure it is browned and crispy around the edges. Mine are more oblong than round,
but they will hold the toppings just fine.
They flip very easily if they are done on the backside.
I put paper towel on a platter and stack the shells on it.
They may be put in a just warm oven while you make the rest.
This takes time but well worth the work. I can only do one at a time but maybe you will do better.

~You may brown and drain your hamburger{I use 3to4 pounds!}add the taco packs
according to the directions on the package.
I leave this on the stove on warm. Now for the toppings.....

Chop tomatos, shred the lettuce, your onion should already be chopped ,
if you followed my directions, buy the shredded cheese in a bag or shred your own,
plenty of sour cream, olives in a can that say "sliced" NOT diced, drained.
I really dislike them but everyone else thinks they are great on the taco. yuk

~THE ASSEMBLY

Shell first,
hamburger
tomato sauce
toppings
This is a great half-time or any-time meal.