When it comes to enjoying a warm, flavorful, and authentic Mexican meal, fresh corn tortillas are a staple ingredient. Made with simple ingredients like masa harina, water, and salt, these tortillas offer a unique texture and taste that store-bought alternatives cannot match. Whether you prefer soft and pliable tortillas for tacos and enchiladas or crispy and crunchy ones for chips and tostadas, creating fresh corn tortillas from scratch is an art form that yields delicious and versatile results. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of making fresh corn tortillas at home, ensuring that you have all the information and tips you need to create perfect tortillas every time.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
FRESH MASA CORN TORTILLAS
Steps:
- Knead the masa, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/3 cup water in a large bowl with your hands until well incorporated and the masa is soft and pliable but doesn't stick to your hands, about 4 minutes. If the masa is still dry or crumbly, add a tablespoon or two more water and continue to mix.
- Cut and remove the zip top from a gallon freezer bag. Cut the two sides of the bag leaving the bottom intact so that the bag can open and close like a book. If using a tortilla press, trim the cut sides of the bag to fit the flat surface of the tortilla press. (If you don't have a tortilla press, you can use a smooth-bottomed 10-inch skillet to press and flatten the tortillas. Use the plastic in the same way you would use with the press except place it between the countertop or work surface and the bottom of the skillet.)
- Divide the dough into 12 balls about 1/4 cup each (or 54g.). Arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet and keep covered with a damp kitchen towel until ready to use.
- Heat a medium cast-iron skillet or large griddle over medium-high heat.
- Place the prepared plastic bag inside the press so that the folded side of the bag is on the hinged side of the press. Working with one dough ball at a time, open the press and the top side of the bag and place a ball in the center of the press. Fold the bag over the ball and gently press, holding a steady, firm pressure for a few seconds to flatten the ball to a 7-inch round. Open the press and peel the top bag from the dough. Place the dough on your open palm and peel off the remaining plastic.
- Brush the preheated pan with vegetable oil. Working with one at a time (unless using a large griddle), cook the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side, flipping 3 times, until just starting to brown in spots, 90 seconds total. Stack and wrap the tortillas in a clean kitchen towel and keep warm. Repeat pressing and cooking the remaining dough balls.
- Serve the tortillas warm.
SLOW ROASTED PORK WITH COCONUT CURRY SAUCE, CORN TORTILLAS, FRESH TOMATO SALSA OVER BASMATI RICE
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 11h45m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 27
Steps:
- For the pork: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Rub the spices into the pork and roast for about 8 hours. Let cool. Pull apart and discard any fat. Put the pork pieces in a large pot and add the coconut milk.
- Meanwhile, for the curry sauce: Saute the curry paste, ginger, garlic, and black beans in sesame oil until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Add this mixture to the pot with the pork and coconut milk. Add the lime leaves. Braise on low heat for 1 to 2 hours.
- For the rice: Blend the cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, and 1 cup of water. Put this mixture in a pot on the stove. Add the basmati rice. Add 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, and then simmer, covered, until the rice absorbs the liquid, 20 to 25 minutes. When done, add the butter and salt and pepper, to taste.
- For the salsa: Roast the jalapeno and poblano peppers, peel, and remove the seeds. Toast the cumin seeds and then grind. Dice the tomatoes and red onion and mix together in a bowl with the other salsa ingredients.
- Heat the corn tortillas on a griddle. Plate the rice, put the pork with sauce on top, and finish with salsa and tortillas.
FRESH CORN TORTILLAS
Line the tortilla press with plastic and the dough will peel right off.
Categories Bread Vegetarian Kid-Friendly Low Cal High Fiber Cinco de Mayo Low Cholesterol Party Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa Bon Appétit Small Plates
Yield Makes 24 servings
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Whisk masa and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in 1 1/2 cups water; knead in bowl until dough forms. The dough should feel firm and springy and look slightly dry (think Play-Doh). Add more water by tablespoonfuls if too crumbly; add a little more masa if too wet.
- Measure 1 heaping tablespoon dough and roll into a ball. Flatten on a tortilla press lined with a plastic bag. If tortilla crumbles, dough is too dry (add more water); if it sticks to the plastic, dough is too wet (add more masa). Repeat, pressing out 2 more tortillas.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat; lightly brush with oil. Cook 2-3 tortillas until charred in spots and edges start to curl, 1-2 minutes. Turn; cook through, about 15 seconds. Transfer to a kitchen towel; fold over to keep warm. Repeat, in batches, with remaining dough.
Tips:
- Use fresh corn kernels for the best flavor and texture.
- Soak the corn kernels in warm water for 30 minutes before grinding them. This will help to soften them and make them easier to grind.
- Use a food processor or blender to grind the corn kernels. Be sure to grind them until they are very fine.
- Add masa harina to the ground corn kernels and mix until well combined. Masa harina is a type of corn flour that is made from dried corn kernels.
- Add water to the masa harina mixture and mix until it forms a dough. The dough should be soft and pliable, but not too sticky.
- Divide the dough into small balls and flatten them into tortillas. You can use a tortilla press or a rolling pin to flatten the tortillas.
- Cook the tortillas in a hot skillet over medium heat. Cook them for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve the tortillas warm with your favorite toppings.
Conclusion:
Fresh corn tortillas are a delicious and versatile food that can be enjoyed in many different ways. They are perfect for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other Mexican dishes. They can also be used as a side dish or as a snack. With a little practice, you can easily make fresh corn tortillas at home. So next time you are craving Mexican food, give this recipe a try!
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