Who could resist homemade tortillas and baked tortilla chips???

One thing you could see in my refrigerator is store bought tortillas stacked up. If I have tortillas, I just have to worry about making something to go with it. I always go with store bought ones. One concern I have while buying them is the excessive sodium content, hence I try to get low sodium and low carb ones.

When I looked through the “Things to try in my kitchen”  list, tortilla was on the top. So, last weekend, even before my lazy self woke up to stop me from making this, I kind of took over it and made this in my kitchen. When I was done making this, my lazy self was all awake to taste it.

The verdict:  Tortillas were soft, puffed up and easy to make.

For making tortillas I had to buy Masa Harina. Masa harina is the traditional flour used to make tortillas, tamales, and other Mexican dishes. Literally translated from Spanish, it means “dough flour,” because the flour is made from dried masa, a dough from specially treated corn.

After making the tortillas, I cut them into triangle shapes and baked them after seasoning some of them with paaprika, garlic powder etc. In just 10 minutes, tortillas got a baked tortilla chips makeover.

Homemade Tortilla:

Makes: 9 Tortilla

• Instant corn masa flour or Masa Harina, available in Mexican aisle- 1 cup

• Warm water- 1/2 cup or enough to make a soft dough

Preparation:

• In a large bowl, add the flour and add warm water to it and knead it a soft dough.
• Knead for at least 5 minutes to make it soft.

• Make medium sized balls out of the dough.

• I flattened the dough using a Tortilla press.

• If you have tortilla press: first, cut a plastic freezer bag into two and spread these on both sides of the press.
• This is to avoid sticking the dough on to the press.

• Place one of the dough balls on to the press, close the press and give it a press.

• It will flatten the dough and you’ll get a round shape.

• Peel it from the plastic and transfer it to the hot griddle.
• If you don’t have the tortilla press, you could make this with your hands: Flatten the dough in between the sheets of plastic into a round, as thin as you can make it without tearing.
• Heat a cast iron pan or non-stick pan over medium high heat.
• Place the flattened dough on to the hot pan and let cook for 20 seconds.

• Flip it over and let cook on that side too.
• Gently press the edges and the center of the tortilla using a spatula until it starts to puff up slightly.

• When both the sides get golden brown spots on it, remove from the pan.
• Place them in an air tight container to prevent from drying out.
• Repeat this process until you have made all the tortillas.

Making Baked Tortilla chips:

• Preheat the oven to 400F.
• Stack up as many tortillas as you want on a cutting board.

• Using a sharp knife, gently cut into half and then into quarters, you’ll get triangle shaped tortillas.

• Single out the cut tortillas.

• Grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
• Place the tortilla triangles on the sheet without crowding them.
• Again, spray the top of tortillas with the cooking spray.
• You could also sprinkle little paprika or any other toppings of your choice.

• Bake this for 7-10 minutes or until crispy and golden in color.
• Keep an eye on them to avoid burning the chips.
• After 7-10 minutes, it will turn crispy, take out of the oven and cool them.
• Enjoy this homemade baked tortillas with homemade Salsa.