Classic Corn Tortilla Recipe

from CultureALL Ambassador Ana Rodriguez (Mexico)

Makes 12-16 tortillas

Ingredients:

2 cups nixtamalized corn flour (see notes)

1 ½ cups water (warm or cold)

½ tsp salt (optional)

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Prepare the dough:

1. Add 2 cups nixtamalized corn flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt (if using) to a mixing bowl.  Add 1 cup of the water and stir until the water is absorbed.  Add the rest of the water incrementally until the flour melds into a dough.  Use your hands to knead the dough into a cohesive ball.  If the dough is sticking to your hands, add a bit of nixtamalized corn flour to dry it out.

2. Separate the dough into golf ball sized chunks, this will make tortillas approximately 4 inches across.

3. Flatten the dough balls using a tortilla press or a flat bottomed pan. Be sure to line each side of the dough ball with plastic.

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Cook the tortillas:

1. Heat a skillet or comal (smooth, flat griddle) to medium high heat.

2. Option 1: Place tortilla on skillet. Wait for it to change color, then flip wait for it to change color, flip again and remove. Total time around 4 minutes.  

Option 2: Add a tortilla and flip after 10 seconds. Then cook each side for 1-2 minutes or until light brown spots are forming.

3. Sometimes it can take some fiddling to get the heat right on the stove. If the tortillas are getting singed black spots quickly, then dial down the heat. Ideally each side takes about 1-2 minutes before brown spots start forming.

4. Continue cooking the rest of the tortillas.

Options for storing:

Dough Ball - Keep it refrigerated for up to three days, frozen for up to 6 months (for best quality).  Thaw in refrigerator for a day or two if frozen. Never thaw in microwave.

Cooked Tortillas -

• Stack the tortilla on a napkin as you prepare them, cover with a napkin when all are made

• Allow the tortillas to cool completely

• Transfer the homemade tortillas into a plastic storage bag

• Keep them refrigerated for up to three days, frozen for up to 6 months

• If froze, allow to thaw in the refrigerator for a day or two

• Heat them on a skillet before eating

Uncooked Tortillas - not recommended to store as such, store as a dough ball.

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