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Homemade Blue Corn Tortilla Recipe
This Homemade Blue Corn Tortilla Recipe is a fun and unique way to dress up your taco night. It only takes blue corn masa harina, water, salt, and a few minutes of your time to make fresh delicious blue corn tortillas. Blue masa harina is a gluten-free maize flour with a more intense, nuttier flavor than white or yellow varieties. It makes intensely flavored tortillas and tamales with a dusky blue hue. To make masa harina, corn kernels are dried then soaked in calcium hydroxide in a process called nixtamalization. This process is what makes masa harina different from cornmeal, which has not undergone this process.
The dough should incorporate well, without being crumbly but also not wet. Like the consistency of silly putty or play doh. There’s no need to rest the dough before pressing it out. For the plastic, I cut a large freezer bag down the seams and place the tortilla between the layers. It’s sturdy and easy to remove the tortilla once pressed. Plastic wrap is an option but much harder to work with.
What is Blue Masa Harina?
Blue Masa Harina is a type of gluten-free maize flour that has a more intense and nuttier flavor compared to white or yellow varieties. It is used to make blue corn tortillas and tamales, which have a distinct dusky blue hue. The process of making masa harina involves drying corn kernels and soaking them in calcium hydroxide in a process called nixtamalization. This process sets masa harina apart from cornmeal, which has not undergone this process. Masa harina can be easily incorporated into dough, known as masa, which is used to make various traditional Mexican foods like tortillas and tamales. Blue masa harina can typically be found in Mexican or Latin American grocery stores, or it can be purchased online from brands like Maseca.
Where to Find Blue Masa Harina
Blue masa harina can be found at most Mexican or Latin American grocery stores. If you have a large Mexican food section in your regular grocery store, there’s a chance you may find it there as well. If you don’t have access to these types of stores, you can also purchase blue masa harina online from various brands on websites like Amazon. One popular brand is Maseca, which is available at a slightly higher price than yellow corn masa harina.
To make homemade blue corn tortillas, start by combining blue corn masa harina with warm water in a bowl until the mixture is mostly incorporated. Use your fingers to bring it together into a uniform ball of dough. Divide the dough into the desired number of pieces and press each piece between two sheets of plastic using a tortilla press or heavy casserole dish. Cook the tortillas on a hot pan for about 3 minutes on each side or until browned spots form. Stack the cooked tortillas to steam and soften them before serving.
Equipment & Ingredients Needed
To make this homemade blue corn tortilla recipe, you will need the following equipment and ingredients:
- Blue masa harina
- Warm water
- Salt
- A large flat pan
- Plastic freezer bags or plastic wrap
- A tortilla press or a heavy casserole dish with handles
How to Make This Homemade Blue Corn Tortilla Recipe
Making homemade blue corn tortillas is a simple and fun process that will elevate your taco night. To start, you will need blue corn masa harina, water, salt, and a few minutes of your time. Blue masa harina can be found at most Mexican or Latin American grocery stores or online. Combine the masa harina and warm water in a bowl until it forms a uniform ball of dough.
Next, divide the dough into golf ball-sized pieces and place them between two sheets of plastic (such as a cut-down freezer bag). Use a tortilla press or a heavy casserole dish to flatten the dough into thin tortillas. Heat a flat pan on high heat and cook each tortilla for about 3 minutes until browned spots form on the underside. Flip the tortilla and cook for another minute until done.
As you make each tortilla, stack them to steam and soften. If you’re not serving them right away, keep them wrapped in a moist towel to prevent drying out. To reheat already cooked tortillas, microwave them between moist towels for about 15 seconds. Remember to make the dough right before cooking as it can dry out if left too long.
Tips & Additional Notes
1. When making the dough, make sure to incorporate the masa harina and warm water well. The consistency of the dough should be like silly putty or play doh, not crumbly or wet.
2. To easily press out the tortillas, use a large plastic freezer bag that has been cut down the seams. This will provide enough stability and allow you to remove the tortilla without breaking it.
3. If you don’t have a tortilla press, you can use a heavy casserole dish or flat-bottomed pan to apply pressure and flatten the tortillas.
4. Cook the tortillas on a hot pan for about 3 minutes on each side, until browned spots form. Don’t puncture any bubbles that may form during cooking.
5. To keep the cooked tortillas soft and pliable, stack them as they come off the pan. Let them sit in a stack for 5-10 minutes before serving to steam and soften further.
6. If you’re not serving the tortillas right away, wrap them in a moist towel to prevent them from drying out. To reheat them, place them between moist towels in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
Can Blue Corn Tortillas Be Stored For Later?
Blue corn tortillas can be stored for later, but they don’t keep as well as regular corn tortillas. It’s best to make them fresh and serve them immediately for the best taste and texture. However, if you have leftovers or need to store them for later use, there are a few things you can do.
First, make sure the tortillas are completely cooled before storing them. This will prevent them from becoming soggy or sticking together. Once cooled, you can stack the tortillas on a plate or in an airtight container with layers of parchment paper or wax paper between each tortilla to prevent sticking.
If you’re storing the tortillas for just a day or two, you can simply keep them in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh and pliable when wrapped well.
If you need to store the tortillas for longer than a day or two, it’s best to freeze them. Place the stacked tortillas in a freezer-safe bag or container and seal tightly. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat the stored tortillas, simply remove them from the refrigerator or freezer and let them come to room temperature. You can warm them in a microwave between moist towels for about 15 seconds or heat them in a dry skillet until warmed through.
Remember that while stored blue corn tortillas may not be as fresh as freshly made ones, they can still be enjoyed and used in various dishes like tacos, enchiladas, or quesadillas.
In conclusion, blue corn masa is a versatile and nutritious ingredient that offers a unique twist to traditional dishes. Its vibrant color, distinct flavor, and health benefits make it an excellent choice for those seeking to enhance their culinary experiences. Whether used in tortillas, tamales, or other recipes, blue corn masa adds a touch of creativity and wholesome goodness to any meal.
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