Finding the perfect balance of ingredients and skills in cooking requires that we teach ourselves through study, trial, and error. As with anything else, tortillas can be quite challenging to make for the first time. So here are some tips and tricks to making the perfect tortilla anytime you want.

Gathering Materials

What you make your food with and what those ingredients contain will determine the quality of your food. Whenever you cook tortillas, use quality products. You will need flour, salt, oil or butter, baking powder, and water. The quality and brands you choose for these ingredients can mean the difference between a good tortilla and a great tortilla.

Recipes Are Key

Every time you cook anything, there should be a method behind how you create that food. Creating tortillas is no different. You will need a recipe that is quick, easy, and effective that you can come back to again and again. Most importantly, the product should always be consistent. Your recipe should look something like this:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 cup warm water

Make Tortillas by Hand

Once you gather your ingredients, make your tortillas by hand. Here’s how to do it:

1. Combine your ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Mix the ingredients by hand until they are well combined.
2. Create a well in the center of the bowl, then add your oil and water. Stir until it’s well mixed and the dough forms a solid ball in your hands.
3. Place the dough on a floured workspace and divide it into 16 small balls. Press them and roll them out. Place them on a baking sheet evenly.
4. Cover tortillas with a towel for 15 minutes before cooking.

Proper Cooking

Just like cooking anything, cooking tortillas requires skill. Having the correct materials also means having the right appliances, including a commercial tortilla press. Cast iron is recommended since it conducts heat very well and retains a steady temperature.

Iron has the added benefit of helping your mineral and nutrient uptake. You will ensure a perfect cook every time if you follow the instructions on how to crisp the tortillas without burning them. Make sure that your pan is always oiled first.

The best way to get a perfectly cooked tortilla is to preheat your cast iron pan to medium heat for no less than five minutes. Once heated evenly, place three to four tortillas in your pan. Then, let them bubble and rise slightly for one to two minutes per side, and they should be done.

What you will end up with is a soft, pliable, slightly browned tortilla with several bubbles on each side. The tenderness will not be compromised. Once you stack them up and let them steam together, you will notice that they only get better with time. These tips and tricks to making the perfect tortilla will help you get it right every time.