Sara, Fancy and Tall

Thank Goodness For Friday!

Where do I even begin?? Today was such a fun filled day of randomness, and I loved every bit of it. First of all, we had culture class this morning with our favorite teacher, Irma. We took a short drive out to a side town of Tehuacán, called Coapan to just toot around and cause trouble or something. We got to see their little cento, which was very beautiful, and also ate some yummy pumpkin seeds covered in chile..SO doing that at home.

As we wandered around some more, Irma thought it would be a perfect time to learn how to make tortillas from the real ladies who know how. Check them out. These three women make over 2,000 tortillas a day over this SUPER hot grill in the hot Mexican air. They are awesome at their skills, and can make tortillas faster than you can eat them.

They graciously let us take over their store for a little bit and just make tortillas with them. What a GREAT experience! These tortillas were made out of Maseca, which you probably have seen in stores and such near you.

It is basically like a corn meal, and it is mixed with water to form this dough, and typically a huge mountain of dough sits around in all places where tortillas are made. Sometimes, entire tables are devoted to a mount everest of maseca in restaurants, or places where they sell tortillas. I can't say maseca tortillas are my favorite, because I actually prefer homemade flour tortillas, but they are still quite delicious used for tacos, or just hot off the grill.

Steps to Making a Tortilla

1. First grab a handful of maseca dough
2. Roll the dough in a nice little ball
3. Place ball in the center of the tortilla press on the wax paper
4. Put press down, and squish real hard
5. Open the tortilla press and peel off the top sheet of wax paper from the flat tortilla
6. Flip the tortilla in your hand, and peel off the opposite sheet of wax paper
7. Pass the tortilla back and forth in your hands until you are barely holding it
8. Glide the rounded tortilla dough onto the grill, without making any bumps or burning yourself. Lay flat to cook
9. Flip the tortilla with your hands when needed
10. Wait until the tortilla puffs up with air and deflates, then take it off to eat (or stack)

My first attempt at tortilla making went really well until I tried to lay it down on the grill, then it crumpled up and was basically useless. However, the second time I learned the tossing technique and my tortilla glided on the grill quite nicely!

Yes these are the actual tortillas that I made myself!!!

Also, check out this basket....it is specifically for holding tortillas. They stick them in there for safe keeping, and to deliver to other people. Often I see these little old ladies carrying these huge tortilla baskets on their backs somewhere.

Now I have to learn how to make flour tortillas!!

-Sara Jacqueline