How to Make Corn Tortillas

1 . Stage

Mix masa flour with very warm water: To make 16 to 18 tortillas, start with putting 2 cups of masa flour in a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of very warm water to the masa flour (according to the directions on the package, some brands may call for different amounts of water). Mix in and let sit for 5 minutes or so.

2 . Stage

Knead the dough: Begin working the masa with your hands to make the dough. Work the dough for several minutes. Press the dough with your fingers and the palms of your hands as if you were kneading bread dough. The dough will be a little gritty at first, but should become more pliable as you knead it. If at any point through the tortilla making process the dough seems too dry or too wet, add a little more water or masa to the dough.

3 . Stage

Form balls of dough: Pinch off a piece of the masa dough and rub it between your hands to shape it into a ball the size of a plum, or slightly large golf ball. Make about 16 to 18 balls from the dough.

4 . Stage

Prepare the press with two sheets of plastic: Cut two pieces of plastic from a plastic freezer bag into the shape of the surface of the tortilla press.

5 . Stage

Place ball of dough between the plastic sheets and press: Open the tortilla press and lay one piece of plastic on the press. Place the masa ball in the center. Place another piece of plastic over the masa ball. Gently close the press and press down, until the dough has spread to a diameter of 4 to 5 inches.

6 . Stage

Heat a griddle or a large skillet on high: A well seasoned cast iron griddle or large cast iron pan works well for this.

7 . Stage

Remove the raw tortilla from the plastic: Working one at a time, hold a tortilla in your hand, carefully removing the plastic on each side.

8 . Stage

Lay the tortilla down on the hot pan: Allow the tortilla to rest half on your hand, and half hanging down, and gently lay the tortilla down on to the skillet. While the tortilla cooks, start working on pressing the next tortilla.

9 . Stage

Cook the tortilla on one side, then flip: Cook the tortilla on the hot pan for 30 seconds to a minute on each side. The tortilla should be lightly toasted and little air pockets will form.

10 . Stage

Keep the tortillas warm, covered: Remove the tortillas to a tortilla warmer lined with dish towel or paper towels, or wrap them in a dish towel to keep them warm. Serve immediately or refrigerate and reheat.