With the exception of Sonshine, every one in this house loves Mexican food. I have wanted to try making my own tortillas for ages now, but just never got around to buying a tortillero (tortilla press). When a Vallarta Supermarket opened up near by, I noticed that they had a bunch of presses, made in different materials, wood, plastic and cast iron. I decided to go with the cast iron, because I figured it would last longer than the plastic and be easier to clean than the wooden one. It cost me $15.99 and hopefully will last me a long time.
Here's what you need to make homemade tortillas:
Ingredients
2 cups masa
1 1/3 cups water
1/4 tsp. salt
So along with your tortilla press, you will need a flat griddle, masa aka corn flour, do not use cornmeal, it is not the same thing. (I use Maseca you don't need both I was just showing you options. The white bag has a more bland flavor, were the brown bag, called Nixta masa, has more of a pronounced corn flavor and smell, but they pretty much look the same). You will also need salt and water, plastic wrap or waxed paper as well. That's it!
First thing you do is line your press with plastic or waxed paper (plastic works best). I forgot to buy either one and ended up using a freezer bag that I cut apart into two squares. Then you mix your masa, water and salt, start with a fork, then mix with your hands. You should be able to roll it in a ball. If it is too dry add water a few drops at a time, if it is too wet, add a bit of masa and until it holds a ball. If it's too wet and you try to press it, it will stick like crazy, if it's too dry it will crumble and fall apart, either way it makes a mess. Roll into 16 even balls. Pre-heat your griddle, on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
Here's the true test to see if you have made your masa just right. Put a ball in the middle of the lined press, close and press down hard, folding the handle in. Open and remove carefully. (If tortillas stick to much you need to and more masa, if they crumble too much you need to add more water). Take the tortilla out, still in the liner, then remove one side at a time. Lay tortilla on hot griddle, cook on both sides for about 45 seconds.
Repeat about 15 more times, and there you have it... A nice stack of homemade tortillas to use for your favorite recipes.
Here's what you need to make homemade tortillas:
Ingredients
2 cups masa
1 1/3 cups water
1/4 tsp. salt
First thing you do is line your press with plastic or waxed paper (plastic works best). I forgot to buy either one and ended up using a freezer bag that I cut apart into two squares. Then you mix your masa, water and salt, start with a fork, then mix with your hands. You should be able to roll it in a ball. If it is too dry add water a few drops at a time, if it is too wet, add a bit of masa and until it holds a ball. If it's too wet and you try to press it, it will stick like crazy, if it's too dry it will crumble and fall apart, either way it makes a mess. Roll into 16 even balls. Pre-heat your griddle, on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
Here's the true test to see if you have made your masa just right. Put a ball in the middle of the lined press, close and press down hard, folding the handle in. Open and remove carefully. (If tortillas stick to much you need to and more masa, if they crumble too much you need to add more water). Take the tortilla out, still in the liner, then remove one side at a time. Lay tortilla on hot griddle, cook on both sides for about 45 seconds.
Repeat about 15 more times, and there you have it... A nice stack of homemade tortillas to use for your favorite recipes.
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| Super yummy and gluten free goodness! |