I love Mexican food. I could honestly have fajitas every day of the week for the rest of my life. Mexican food is just so hearty and awesome - and behind most awesome Mexican dishes is the simple corn tortilla.
The tortilla is incredibly versatile. Add a little butter and honey, it becomes a simple dessert. Add meat and toppings, now you have a taco. Cut it up and fry it? Chips! Now sure, you can buy them at the store, but there is something magical about homemade tortillas. Like Harry Potter magical.
With only two to four ingredients you can make you own tortillas. For only having a few ingredients and being seemingly simple, tortillas take a little trial and error. It’s what I imagine a potions class to be like. You really have to feel it out, but once you do your Mexican food will be the envy of all.
Ingredients
1 cup (135g) masa harina – this is a special kind of corn flour treated with lime (the mineral not the fruit) that is usually found in the Mexican/Ethnic section of the grocery store
Between ¾ to 1 cup(150-200ml) warm water
Pinch of salt – optional
Spoonful of lard – optional
Tools
Cast iron skillet or griddle
Tortilla press or rolling pin
Plastic wrap
Parchment paper – or if you want to be extra spiffy about it, a ziptop bag cut into circles works wonders.
Tea towel to store warm tortillas
Directions
1. In a medium bowl, mix the masa harina and water together with your hands until well combined. Keep working the dough until it starts to feel smooth. If the dough is too sticky add more of the masa, too dry add more water. It should not stick to your hands or the bowl. Cover the ball tightly with plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat cast iron skillet or griddle on medium-high heat.
3. Divide dough into eight equal balls. Using a tortilla press or rolling pin, press dough flat between two sheets of parchment paper or ziptop bag pieces.
4. Place tortilla on preheated pan and let cook for about 30 seconds. Flip and let cook for another minute. Flip one last time for and let cook for 30 more seconds. If you’re lucky your tortillas will puff up and be extra delicious. If they don’t inflate, don’t worry, they’ll still be yummy.
5. Remove from heat and place tortillas in a tea towel to keep warm until serving.
Enjoy with damn near anything.
Image © Jenessa Hooper for BitchBuzz