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Homemade Flour Tortillas




Shop bought tortillas come in two varieties as far as I am concerned, cheap ones that are nasty and expensive tortillas that are pretty good. I always spend more and buy the good ones. I hate a claggy tortilla.

I love flour tortillas filled with salad leaves, chilli, sour cream and grated cheddar. I love them filled with roast vegetables, mozzarella and salad leaves and I love them filled with cheesey beans.

I thought it was about time I tried making my own tortillas. I make my own chapatis, so how hard could it be?

Actually super easy!

I was lucky enough to be sent a tortilla kit by Mex Grocer.

Mex grocer is a fabulous site for all things Mexican. I was rather excited when I stumbled across it and was so pleased when they agreed to send me their Tortilla Making Kit to try. The kit contained 1 gorgeous red Aluminium 15cm Tortilla Press made in Mexico, 1kg of Authentic Masa Harina (corn flour) and 1 Tortilla Warmer.



I made the dough in minutes, then left it to rest for a while, before rolling it into little balls and flattening them out in the press. You could use a rolling pin, but the press is much more fun and results in a lovely thin and even tortilla.





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Homemade Flour Tortillas
An easy recipe for authentic Mexican flour tortillas.
Ingredients
  • 330ml hot tap water
  • 250g masa harina (Maseca) tortilla flour
  • a pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Put the masa harina into a bowl. Add a pinch of salt if you like, but this is not traditional. Make a well and start adding the water, mixing with your fingers until you have soft pliable dough that is not sticky. The amount of water may vary according to humidity etc, so add more if you feel it will take it.2. Cover the dough and let sit until cool, about 15 minutes.3. Work the dough. If the dough looks dry or cracks when you press it add a little cool water until it is the texture of soft cookie dough.4. Make into 10-12 walnut sized balls.5. Use a tortilla press or roll out (3mm depth) into a circle between 2 sheets of plastic wrap.6. To cook the tortilla, heat a dry skillet over medium high heat and gently place the tortilla on it. When the edges start to dry out (about 15 seconds) turn the tortilla over and cook for around 45 seconds. There should be little brown speckles. Turn the tortilla once more and cook for a further 15 seconds, the tortilla should puff up. If it doesn’t, don’t worry, it will taste just as good but may be a little heavier.7. Place in a clean tea towel to keep warm until they all have been made. They will keep warm for a bout an hour like this. To reheat place the tea cloth with the tortillas over a steamer and steam for 15 minutes.
Details
Total time:
Yield: Makes 10-12 tortillas

Disclosure: Mex Grocery sent me a tortilla kit to review. I was not required to write a positive review and any opinions expressed are my own.

15 comments

  1. I love homemade tortillas I started making the recently and would never buy them again. I use wheat flour to make mine, they freeze really well too so I often make them in batches ;)

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    1. I'll have to try them with wheat flour too. The cornflour ones are good, but I think I would like wheat too. Is it basically the same recipe, but a change of flour?

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  2. I was looking at the back of a packet of tortilla wraps the other day and was quite astonished at the amount of e numbers in them! I usually make my own pizza dough so I think I'll give these a go. Is tortilla flour easy enough to get hold of?

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    1. You'll find these even easier. Just order the flour online from mexgrocer. It isn't expensive and you don't use a lot each time.

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  3. I've never made my own tortillas before but I do have an abiding memory for ones that I ate at a friends house many years ago - they were the best I'd ever eaten. Yours look great and I love that press.

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    1. Thanks Choclette. The press is such fun and I love it in the red.

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  4. Oddly I was going to attempt these last week, as my son loves tortillas! I just need to find the time! haha! These look fabulous though x

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    1. No, you really don;t need the time, they are super quick. Minutes to pull the dough together, then get on with your toppings while it sits. They only take a few minutes to press or roll and cook.

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  5. What a cool little gadget - I want one! Your tortillas look wonderful...

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  6. Those look awesome! I'd encourage you to make your own corn masa, though - it's not all that difficult to do, and gives you a radically different texture and flavor. http://www.mexicoinmykitchen.com/2009/01/how-to-make-your-own-home-made-fresh.html is just one example. Note: "lime" is the chemical, not the fruit - Slaked Lime is what you're looking for.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks David, I'll have a look. I remember eating my first homemade tortillas at your house. Happy days :)

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  7. Well done, you! We'll make a California girl of you yet!

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  8. lovely little gadget. I would love to try one of these - homemade tortilla sounds so good!

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