Charlotte Veggie

Taco Tuesday: It’s Fun To Make Homemade Corn Tortillas

IMG_6246

I made fresh corn tortillas today! They only involve 3 ingredients and take the same time as it would to run to the store to buy ready corn tortillas, return home, and warm them. Obviously, if you threw them into your cart during your usual grocery shopping, it’s quicker to use the ones in the pantry. My favorite store bought are these sprouted corn ones. However, like most foods, nothing is the perfect stand in for scratch created and cooked!

IMG_6220

It is imperative to use a finely ground cornmeal called masa harina to make tortillas just as coarse cornmeal is good for polenta.

IMG_6221

I appreciate that as simple as this recipe is that it is printed on the back of most packages. I halved the recipe using 1 cup of masa harina, 3/4 cup hot water, and 1/4 tsp sea salt. This made nine 4.5 inch tortillas.

The following photos are so you know what to expect each stage to look like as you go through the process:

IMG_6223 IMG_6224 IMG_6226 IMG_6227 IMG_6228

It is recommended to cover and allow the dough to rest for 30-60 minutes so that the cornmeal can fully absorb the water.

IMG_6233 IMG_6231

I bought this online through Amazon. I do recommend purchasing a tortilla press because a rolling pin tends to break the tender dough.

IMG_6232

It is important to line your press with either wax paper or plastic wrap because otherwise the mixture will stick to the surfaces.

IMG_6234 IMG_6235

Push down as hard as you can swiftly. Be careful because it is made of heavy cast-iron and can cause a bad pinch!

IMG_6236

Carefully peel off and place in a lightly oiled, heated (medium heat) cast iron pan.

IMG_6237

Cook on each side for 1 minute.

IMG_6247 IMG_6250

Because mine were not very large, I preferred to eat them as tostadas (open faced tacos) but the tortillas are certainly pliable enough to fold!

IMG_6249

Recent Posts…

Stacked Roasted Sweet Potato Enchilada Pie

Stacked Roasted Sweet Potato Enchilada Pie

Oh enchilada pie, where have you been all my life? Actually I attempted stacked enchiladas once but because I used a large 9×12 dish so everything was too spread out with only one layer of filling. A thicker, layered pie is essential. Two things we loved most: 1. I did NOT miss rolling up each individual [...]

{ 2 comments }
Spinach Feta Pan Fried Mediterranean Polenta Cakes & More

Spinach Feta Pan Fried Mediterranean Polenta Cakes & More

(Polenta cakes served with goat cheese, roasted veggies and hot sauce.) Polenta, which originated in Europe, is similar to grits as both are made from stoneground corn. The type of corn for each varies as does the coarser texture of the cornmeal used to make polenta. I consider polenta to be a great vessel for [...]

{ 0 comments }
Hunger Curbing Pre-Party Smoothie

Hunger Curbing Pre-Party Smoothie

This was my smoothie before a friend’s 40th birthday celebration last weekend. The danger for me was that the festivities were at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants and it requires great restraint to control my intake of chips and salsa! One of the added advantages as to why I drink green smoothies is that they [...]

{ 0 comments }