Soft Corn Tortillas Food

HOW TO MAKE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Set out a large mixing bowl, a cutting board and knife, a cast iron or nonstick skillet, and a tortilla press.
• Measure the masa, lard, and salt into the mixing bowl. Pour very hot tap water over the lard to melt it. Mix the dough with a wooden spoon at first, then by hand until it is very smooth.
• Press the dough into a rectangle. Then wrap in plastic and leave to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. *The rest time softens the masa to make the tortillas more flexible.
• Set the skillet over medium heat. Place plastic wrap over the to top and bottom pressing-surface of the tortilla press. (Some people like to slide a freezer bag over each section because it's a little more sturdy than plastic wrap.) Cut the dough into 16 equal pieces, leaving them under the plastic, so they don't dry out.
• One at a time, place a ball of corn tortilla dough in the middle of the press, just slightly closer to the hinge. Press down hard to flatten the tortilla into a paper-thin circle.
• Gently peel the corn tortilla off the plastic and move it to the hot dry skillet. Make sure you lay it in the skillet carefully so it has full contact with the hot surface. Cook for approximately 1 1/2 - 2 minutes per side. *Pulling the corn tortillas off the plastic is the only tricky part of the process. Because the tortillas are so thin and delicate, you might rip the first few in half. Simply form the dough back into a ball and repress.
• Move the cooked corn tortillas to a holding plate and cover with a towel to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough. Serve warm.

SOFT CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Mix together your dry ingredients and then the eggs and water together. You may need to add more water to thin out the mix a bit. The batter should be the consistency of slightly thickened crepe batter.
• On a very hot griddle (400 degrees) spoon about 1/3 cup of the batter and form into a circle -- much like you would a crepe. When the tortilla is not shiny in appearance, flip over and allow to cook another minute or so.
• Stack on top of each other and keep warm til serving.

HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut in the lard. Stir in the water. Mix to incorporate. The dough should be slightly wet. Form the dough into a smooth ball, cover with a towel and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 12 even pieces. Place a little water on the hands and form the dough into golf ball-size balls. Take 2 pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap from a plastic bag and cut them to the shape of the surface of the tortilla press. Open the tortilla press and lay one piece of waxed paper on the press. Place the masa ball in the center. Place another piece of waxed paper over the masa ball. Gently close the press and press down, until the dough has spread to 6-inches in diameter.
• Heat a cast-iron griddle or a large nonstick skillet on high heat. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, hold a tortilla in your hand, carefully removing the wax paper on each side. Allow the tortilla to rest half on your hand, and half hanging down, and gently lay the tortilla down on to the hot skillet. Start working on pressing the next tortilla. Cook the tortilla on the hot pan for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side. The tortilla should be lightly toasted and little air pockets forming.
• Heat 2-inches of canola oil in a heavy-bottomed medium skillet until it reaches 370 degrees F. Add the tortillas, 1 at a time and fry, turning once with tongs, until crispy, about 30 seconds. Remove to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and lightly season with salt.

MEXICAN BEEF/CHEESE WITH SOFT CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• For Corn Tortillas:.
• Combine Masa with salt and add 3/4 cup of water, mix well. Let stand for about 10 minutes, then knead well about 10 times and divide into 8 balls. Use tortilla press to create first tortilla. Place on medium-high griddle for 60 seconds, then flip and repeat -- try to get a bit of char on each side. Do this 8 times, stacking toasted tortillas on towel to cover. Repeat until all 8 tortillas are finished -- set aside for assembly.
• For Meat Filling:.
• In a medium sized skillet or frying pan, saute onion in oil until they start to colour. Add ground beef and cook until nicely browned. Drain fat if necessary. Break up meat as desired then add taco seasoning and 3/4 cup water. Mix well and simmer for about 15 minutes -- stir occasionally. Remove to bowl and set aside for assembly.
• Assemble:.
• Hold one tortilla in your palm and create taco shape. Spoon some meat filling along centre. Cover with grated cheese and sour cream. Garnish with green onions and chopped cilantro. Stand two filled tortillas upright in centre of plate and add side dishes. Serve immediately.