I had always wanted to try tortillas at home and assumed I needed a tortilla press. Since I am not in favor of filling the house with gadgets, I kept postponing the tortilla making process. It turns out that you can roll out flour tortillas, but corn tortillas need to be pressed. The dough is really soft and pliable and it can easily be pressed with a heavy pan or a pie plate like I did. It is easier than the rotis (Indian flatbread) since there is no rolling involved and the tortillas were done in no time. The tortillas were slightly crispy on the edges and soft in the middle and everyone loved the warm tortillas straight off the griddle. We filled it with beans, salsa and cheese. Off to the recipe.
Corn Tortillas
Tasty corn tortillas from scratch.
Ingredients:
- masa harina - 2 cups
- water - 1 1/3 cup (luke warm)
- salt - to taste
Instructions:
Make a soft dough with the ingredients and allow to rest for about 5 minutes. Keep the dough covered. Make about 12 balls and keep them covered with a damp towel.
Place each ball between two sheets of parchment paper or between two ziploc covers. Using a pie plate or any heavy pan, press until the desired size is obtained.
Place the tortilla on a hot griddle and flip it after about 30 seconds. Flip the tortilla again after a minute or so and when both sides are done, remove from griddle.
Keep tortillas covered with a kitchen towel.
1. It is important to keep the dough covered at all times to prevent the tortillas from cracking when pressed.
2. Masa Harina is a flour used to make tortillas, tamales, etc. You can find it in super markets.
1 year ago: http://cooksjoy.com/blog/2014/09/mushroom-tofu-broccoli-rice.html
2 years ago: http://cooksjoy.com/blog/2013/09/puffed-rice-pori-chaat.html
3 years ago: http://cooksjoy.com/blog/2012/09/refrigerator-dill-pickles-cucumber-pickle-in-vinegar.html
4 years ago: http://cooksjoy.com/blog/2011/09/noodle-cutlet-shallow-fried.html
Pictorial
1. Mix the ingredients and knead until the dough is soft. Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Keep dough covered with a damp towel.
2. Make small balls of the dough. 
3. I have used a pie plate to press the tortilla. Place each ball between two pieces of parchment paper or ziploc cover. Then press it until you have the desired thickness. You can use a tortilla press or any heavy pan. 
4. Place the tortilla on a hot griddle. Flip after about 30 seconds or so.
5. Flip again after a minute or so. When both sides are cooked, remove from griddle. Keep the tortillas covered with a kitchen towel.
Yummy tortillas ready.
Enjoy!
