How to Make Homemade Corn Tortillas

Unfortunately this post doesn't count towards 30 meals in 30 days because I discovered this recipe prior to the challenge. However, I'll need to reference it in my next recipe so here it is:

Making homemade corn tortillas is stupidly simple. I say stupidly because I feel stupid for having purchased tortillas for the last seven years of grocery shopping life. Every time I think about spending $4 on a bag of processed, factory-made 10 inch flour tortillas, my face goes red in embarassment.

Dramatic, right? That's because this is serious.

You guys, if you are purchasing tortillas, and you love them as much as our family does (we used to buy 2 or 3 bags a week, which equates to roughly 20 tortillas for breakfast burritos, soft tacos, quesidillas and burritos), you need to stop right now, thank you very much.

Your tortillas need somebody with a human touch.

Let me introduce you to something called Maseca. In full disclosure, Maseca does contain genetically modified corn. So, if you are currently buying an organic corn tortilla that you love, you are making a healthier choice. However if you are buying bags of Tortillas from a company like Dempsters, I have something you might want to consider.

First let me introduce you to Maseca Corn Masa Mix. It costs under $5 for a bag, and yes it does contain genetically modified ingredients, so on the next purchase we'll be switching to Bob's Red Mill masa harina which is not genetically modified. And it costs the same.

Anyway. Masa Harina is corn flour and it is the base of every ingredient from tortillas to nacho chips, empanadas to tamales, and way more. It's a gluten free corn based flour which takes on sort of a grainy property so it also works for baked goods like pie crust.

Combine 2 cups of corn flour with 1 1/2 cup water and mix with fork.

Roll into balls.

Line a tortilla press with saran wrap, place the ball between, and place saran wrap over top.

You can buy a tortilla press for between $12 - $30 in Canada, or you can make your own if you're super crafty and ambitious. 

There was a time in my life (2 months ago) when I was sitting on the ground, resisting spending the $20 on a press, and pushing the tortilla between two cutting boards using every ounce of power I had in my body, trying to force circles out of masa balls. Making tortillas took hours. It was insanity. 

Same goes for using a rolling pin. That was bananas.

Trust me when I say a tortilla press is worth the $20 investment.

 

So. Push the ball between the press and voila, you have a tortilla. The thinner the tortilla the more pliable it will be for eating.

Fry in a cast iron pan with a little oil for 2 minutes each side.

And there you have it. Homemade tortillas.

That's good stuff right there.