Friday, February 1, 2013

Homemade Corn Tortillas



Warning: Once you make homemade corn tortillas, store bought will never again be an acceptable substitute!

We've only been making fresh corn tortillas for a year or so. You see, I love kitchen gadgets - avocado slicer, honey spoons, banana slicer, lemon squeezer, 1000 cookie cutters,  crinkle carrot cutter, citrus skin peeler thingy and even a slap chop! So when I saw a tortilla press, obviously, I had to give it a good home! The funny thing is, I actually use this... a lot! It's also the one gadget my husband wouldn't like me to return.

I'm no expert when it comes to tortilla making but in my limited experience I have found that I get the best tortillas when I use my cast iron skillet. Also, don't press the tortillas paper thin or you won't be able to peel them off the plastic wrap.

These are perfect for my tortilla casserole - they stay firmer than store bought tortillas so left overs taste great!

Ingredients

2/3 cup of lukewarm water
1-1/2 cups masa flour
pinch of salt


Instructions

In a medium size bowl, stir together flour and salt. Add the lukewarm water and gently mix with your hand until the dough forms into a ball that holds together but is not sticky. Divide the dough into 8-10 pieces and roll each one into a ball (each one will be about the size of a golf ball).

Heat your cast iron pan over medium high heat. NO need for oil. 

Place a medium sized ziploc bag (with two long sides cut) or plastic wrap on your open tortilla press in such a way that the dough ball can be placed between the plastic pieces. Press until flat. Gently remove from plastic.

Place tortilla in pan and cook for 20-30 seconds. You know it is done when the edges begin to dry and lift slightly from your pan. Flip the tortilla. Cook for another 20-30 seconds. The dough may begin to puff up in a couple of spots. It will also be speckled with brown/black spots.

Repeat with remaining tortillas. Keep cooked ones under a kitchen towel or in a tortilla warmer until ready to serve.



8 comments:

  1. I've seen this done with the bottom of a pie plate. Do you think that would work? Also how about parchment paper instead of the plastic?

    I'm thinking I should go get some masa!

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  2. I have always wanted to try to make my own tortillas these just may have inspired me to do so. Thanks for sharing, they look delicious!

    Sincerely,
    Happy Valley Chow

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  3. I make some every morning a bit crispier and top with PB&J. Needing to be gluten free, it is much tastier than any store bought gf bread.

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  4. Do they freeze well?

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    1. Yes! They do freeze well. I've heard some say that the tortillas are bit more crumbly (is that even a word!?) but I personally can't tell the difference.

      Ceecee

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  5. If you want to go to the expense of being truly authentic, get ahold of a Mexican "comal", that flat, round cast-iron griddle that you'll find ALWAYS on the stove in a Mexican kitchen. This should be dedicated to tortillas ONLY, and NEVER greased! (My wife made a grilled cheese sandwich on mine once...didn't lead to divorce, but almost...)

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