How To Make Best Fresh Corn Tortillas

Fresh Corn Tortillas

Ingredients

·         1 pound (455 g) fresh-ground corn masa for tortillas or 1¾ cups (225 g) powdered masa harina for tortillas mixed with 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (270 ml) hot tap water

Instructions

1.    Prep the griddle and dough

2.    Heat a heavy rectangular griddle (or two skillets) to two different temperatures: one side (or one skillet) over medium to medium-low, the other over medium-high.

3.    As the griddle heats, knead the masa with just enough water to make it soft, but not sticky. It should feel like soft cookie dough.

4.    Press the tortilla

5.    Lay one square of plastic on the bottom plate of a tortilla press. Scoop out a walnut-size piece of dough, roll it into a ball and center it in the middle of the plastic. Cover with a second sheet of plastic and close the press. Use the handle to flatten the ball into a 5- to 6-inch disk. Turn the plastic-covered disk of masa 180 degrees and press gently to even the thickness.

6.    Remove the plastic

7.    Open the press and peel off the top piece of plastic. Flip the uncovered side of the tortilla onto your palm, lining up the top of the tortilla with the top of your index finger. Starting at the top, peel off the remaining sheet of plastic. A portion of the tortilla will be dangling off the bottom of your hand.

8.    Cook it up

9.    Quickly lay the tortilla on the cooler side of the griddle or in the cooler skillet. Don’t flip it off your hand; instead, as you slowly sweep the tortilla away from you, let the dangling part catch on the hot surface, then roll your hand out from under it.

10.  Cook for 15 to 30 seconds — just until the tortilla releases itself from the griddle. It’ll look just a tiny bit dry around the edge, and that's how you want it. Don’t leave it too long or it will turn out dry and heavy.

11.  Flip the tortilla onto the hotter side of the griddle or into the hotter skillet and bake until splotchy brown underneath, about 30 to 45 seconds. Turn once again, still leaving it on the hot side, and cook another 30 to 45 seconds to brown. During these last few seconds of cooking, a perfectly made tortilla will puff up like pita bread. (Though an unpuffed tortilla won’t be as light, it'll still taste good.)

12.  Stack 'em high

13.  Transfer to a cloth-lined basket and continue making tortillas, stacking them one on top of another and keeping them covered. As the cloth traps the steam, the tortillas will complete their final little bit of "cooking."

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