Tortilla
Also called corn tortilla, flour tortilla
A thin flatbread of nixtamalized corn masa or wheat flour. Corn tortillas smell of toasted corn, and flour ones are softer and milder.
Flavor profile
Aroma: toasty, corn, warm
Good to know
Origin: Mexico
Forms: corn, flour, chips, tostada
Storage: Keep in a sealed bag at room temperature for a few days, or refrigerate or freeze for longer.
How to use tortilla
Warm Before Folding
Cold tortillas crack. Heat each one on a dry skillet for 20 to 30 seconds per side, then keep them wrapped in a towel to stay pliable.
Fry for Crunch
Cut corn tortillas into wedges and fry or bake them for chips, or fry them flat for tostadas.
What goes with tortilla
- Black Bean. Black beans are a classic taco and burrito filling, wrapped in a warm tortilla.
- Cheddar. Melted cheddar inside a warm tortilla makes a quesadilla.
- Chicken thigh. Juicy chicken thigh shreds into tacos, burritos and enchiladas.
- Pork Shoulder. Slow-cooked pork shoulder is the classic taco filling in carnitas.
- Avocado. Creamy avocado rounds out a tortilla's toasty corn flavor.
- Lime. Lime's acid cuts through rich fillings and brightens corn tortillas.
- Cilantro. Fresh cilantro is the classic taco topping.
- Beef Chuck. Braised, shredded beef chuck fills tacos and burritos well.
- Sour Cream. Sour cream cools spicy tortilla dishes with a tangy richness.
- Shrimp. Quick-seared shrimp make fast, tasty tacos.
Mistakes to avoid
- Piling cold tortillas on the plate and watching them tear.
- Overfilling, so the tortilla splits before you can eat it.
Ideas for tonight
- Black bean and avocado tacos
- Chicken quesadillas with cheddar
- Chilaquiles with salsa verde and a fried egg
Tortilla: questions
What does tortilla taste like?
A thin flatbread of nixtamalized corn masa or wheat flour. Corn tortillas smell of toasted corn, and flour ones are softer and milder. Its strongest notes are earthy, with an aroma that is toasty, corn, warm.
What goes well with tortilla?
Tortilla pairs best with black bean, cheddar, chicken thigh, pork shoulder, avocado. Black beans are a classic taco and burrito filling, wrapped in a warm tortilla.
How do you use tortilla in cooking?
Warm Before Folding: cold tortillas crack. Heat each one on a dry skillet for 20 to 30 seconds per side, then keep them wrapped in a towel to stay pliable.
How should you store tortilla?
Keep in a sealed bag at room temperature for a few days, or refrigerate or freeze for longer.
What is the most common mistake with tortilla?
Piling cold tortillas on the plate and watching them tear.
