Flautas

Ingredients:

• vegetable or canola oil, (for frying)
• 3 cups shredded beef, (or shredded cooked chicken)
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• ½ cup salsa, (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced chiles
• garlic salt with parsley flakes, (to taste)
• pepper, (to taste)
• 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas, ((or flour tortillas))
• salt, (to taste)
• shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, Cilantro Ranch dressing
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Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to the warm setting or about 200 degrees F.
2. Fill a large saucepan with about ¾ inch oil. Heat over medium heat to 375 degrees F.
3. In a medium bowl, combine shredded beef, cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt, and pepper.
4. Working with 4 tortillas at a time, spread a heaping spoonful of filling along the middle of each tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly around the filling and secure each one with a toothpick.
5. Using tongs, hold each flauta in hot oil until firm, then release to continue cooking. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes, then remove to a paper towel–lined plate and immediately season with salt.
6. Transfer flautas to an alumiunium foil-lined baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while assembling and cooking the remaining tortillas. Serve warm with toppings.