How to Use a Tortilla Press

A tortilla press is used for making corn tortillas, also known as tortilla de maiz. The tortilla press flattens the balls of dough into thin tortillas, a staple of Mexican food.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comal griddle or flat cast iron skillet
• Clean towel or napkin

Making the Dough

1. Measure the flour into a bowl.

2. Add the salt and the lukewarm water to the flour, adding the last ½ cup of water slowly until you have the right dough consistency.

3. Mix dough together with a fork or wooden spoon until it forms a ball.

4. Knead the ball of dough until it's smooth and not sticky.

5. Cover the dough ball with a towel to retain moisture and set aside for 1 hour.

Using the Tortilla Press

6. Break off pieces of dough from the main dough ball and roll them into 1 1/2-inch balls.

7. Place a piece of heavy plastic wrap on the tortilla press, put a dough-ball onto the center of the tortilla press and cover it with another piece of heavy plastic wrap.

8. Bring down the top of the tortilla press and push the handle down.

9. Open the press and carefully remove the plastic wrap from the top of the tortilla dough.

10. Slide your hand under the tortilla and flip it over onto your other hand. This makes it easier to remove the plastic wrap.

11. Repeat the process until you have made tortillas from all of the dough.

Cooking the Tortillas

12. Preheat cast iron griddle (comal) and when it's very hot, place a tortilla on it.

13. Flip the tortilla over when it begins to get dry around the edges

14. Cook it until it begins to puff up on the top.

15. Tap the tortilla with your fingertips lightly to make puff evenly.

16. Allow it cook for 1 ½ to 2 minutes before removing the tortilla from the heat

17. Wrap the tortillas in a clean towel or napkin and serve with your favorite food.

Tips & Warnings

• A tortilla press can also be used to make tamales.
• The comal is the traditional flat cast iron griddle used for making tortillas, pancakes and crepes.
• Plastic wrap keeps the tortilla from sticking inside the tortilla press. The thicker plastic freezer bags or even a section of your plastic trash bags are more durable than standard plastic wrap that tears easily.

Resources

• Go here for excellent information on Mexican food.

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[whateverforsale]

on 11/30/2009 Thanks for the recipe. A site I found earlier also had some pretty good info on tortilla presses - http://tortillapress.info

Thanks again.