How to Use a Tortilla Press

Como Usar la Prensa Para Hacer Tortillas de Maíz

Nothing beats a homemade corn tortilla. If you have never used a tortilla press before they’re simple to use and inexpensive. They are a great addition to your Mexican kitchen.

Get a Tortilla Press

Time to make some tortillas! Yeah…!

First, You need some dough

Obviously, you are going to need some tortilla dough called masa to make tortillas. The first option, make the dough. You can prepare it using corn flour for tortillas which you should be able to get at almost every supermarket. Follow the directions on the package to prepare the dough. The second option, buy the dough. You can buy prepared dough at a local Mexican market. If you are really lucky, you might find masa prepared from ground corn, not corn flour. If you do have the opportunity to buy ground corn masa buy it. Your tortillas will have a hearty more traditional taste.

Now you have some dough, Let’s get started

Besides the dough and press, you will need 2 squares of waxed paper or plastic to keep your tortillas from sticking to the press. Most cooks in Mexico cut up plastic grocery bags for the plastic squares although I generally use waxed paper. Cut 2 squares of waxed paper just large enough to cover the base plate of the press.

Place 1 square of butcher paper on the base plate. On top of the butcher paper place one ball of dough the size of a golf ball.

Place the other square of butcher paper over the dough.