Tortilla press

[DampCharcoal]

Does anyone have one or has ever used one? I use tortillas quite a bit but don't really want to invest in something too expensive. I trust advice and opinions from you people over anything I would get on any other website!

 

[GB]

Yes I have one. It cost about $10. I used it once and couldn't even tell you where it is anymore. It worked very well, but for all the effort, I found it easier and almost as good to just buy store bought tortillas.

 

[DampCharcoal]

Oops! I guess I meant tortilla "steamer." I probably wouldn't have the patience to make tortillas from scratch! Whenever I try to heat tortillas so they don't crack when rolling, they dry out so fast they crumble anyway, even when I "steam" them in a microwave between wet paper towels. :?

 

[mudbug]

you are heating them for too long, charc. I throw the flour kind in a dry non-stick pan until a couple of little bubbles appear, then flip them over, using my hand, for just a few seconds.

 

[GB]

That I can't help you with, sorry

 

[DampCharcoal]

Thanks, folks! Every little bit helps!

 

[jennyema]

I have a tortilla press and I like it.

They are very cheap.

Homemade tortillas are incredibly easy to make, if you can't find good ones at your market.


Never heard of a steamer .... and wonder why you would steam tortillas anyway :?:

 

[buckytom]

dampc, i have seen those thick plastic tortilla containers that restaurants use to serve tortillas with fajitas (i hope you know the ones i am talking about) for sale in kitchen supply shops. they are supposed to be good for nuking tortillas, without drying them out. i would put a damp paper towel on top to add some steam, and only nuke it for a minute or so.

 

[scott123]

Microwaves are just not that great with bread. If you nuke the tortilla a little too long, it gets tough/inflexible.

I have found that spraying each tortilla with a little water, wrapping the stack in foil, and then baking it at 225 for about 400 minutes (top oven shelf) gives me a nice soft tortilla.

 

[MJ]

400 minutes

 

[Michael in FtW]

I know what buckytom is talking about - look here: http://www.bigtray.com/productlist.asp?catid=23920&tr=pi

Since they are microwaveable - I don't see why they wouldn't work just as good as the ceramic tortilla steamer - look here: http://wielandware.com/hottortilla.htm

But, since it (the plastic one) has a tight fitting lid you might want to leave the lid off, or askew, while nuking ... unless you like things that go *bang* while you're cooking. Either one of these should steam and keep your tortillas hot.

If you have an Asian bamboo steamer basket, or a steamer insert for a pot that has a flat bottom - that should work for steaming a stack, too.

When I lived in Colorado a few years ago I used to make big batches of fajitas and burritos and freeze them to take to work for lunch. I used the same technique I do for softening up the tortillas when making enchiladas. I use a 10"-12" deep saute pan (chicken fryer) wite 1-2 inches of rapidly simmering water - and put a spatter shield (round metal frame with a handle and a wire mesh insert that you use to keep grease from splattering all over the stovetop - looks like a window screen for a porthole) - steam one while you fill and wrap another ... assembly line style.

 

[DampCharcoal]

But it's on the TOP oven shelf, MJ!

 

[MJ]

But it's on the TOP oven shelf, MJ!

Oh, Duh. I am no pro at this but I LOVE Mexican food!

 

[choclatechef]

you are heating them for too long, charc. I throw the flour kind in a dry non-stick pan until a couple of little bubbles appear, then flip them over, using my hand, for just a few seconds.

When I worked at a Mexican restaurant, that is how we did it.

 

[DampCharcoal]

Wow, we can probably write the definitive handbook on softening tortillas! You guys rock, as always.

 

[DampCharcoal]

Oh, and sorry scott123, I had to poke fun at the 400 minute typo!