Blue Corn Tortillas Recipes

BLUE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Combine the masa harina and warm water in a bowl and stir until mostly incorporated. Then use your fingers to bring it all into one uniform ball of dough.
• Break the dough into 8 golf-ball sized balls.
• Place a ball of dough between two sheets of plastic and press with a tortilla press or heavy casserole dish into a circle, about ⅛" thick. (See notes below for more detail). Peel back the plastic carefully.
• Heat a large flat pan on high heat on the stove top. When hot, place a tortilla in the center and cook for about 3 minutes, until browned spots form on the underside. After flipping, a bubble might form in the middle of the tortilla. This is fine. Don't puncture it. Once the bubble flattens, remove from heat and set on a plate to cool.
• Form a stack of the tortillas as they get made. This will help them steam and soften.

HOW TO MAKE FRESH BLUE CORN TORTILLAS AT HOME

Steps:

• Mix the blue corn flour and warm water for about 4 minutes. I mixed by hand.
• Divide the dough into 16 small-sized portions, about golf ball size.
• Press into 6 inch (15 cm) round shapes using a tortilla press lined with wax paper, or use hands to flatten out the dough without the wax paper.
• Place on a griddle, pre-heated to a high temperature. Let cook for about 20 seconds and flip. Cook for a further 20 to 30 seconds. Additional flipping may be necessary to fully cook the tortillas depending on their thickness. I used a sandwich press and this worked well.
• Place the completed tortillas in an oven on low heat, covered to keep from drying while you cook the remaining tortillas. (You can use a tortilla server as well if you have one or a terracotta bowl.)

HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut in the lard. Stir in the water. Mix to incorporate. The dough should be slightly wet. Form the dough into a smooth ball, cover with a towel and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 12 even pieces. Place a little water on the hands and form the dough into golf ball-size balls. Take 2 pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap from a plastic bag and cut them to the shape of the surface of the tortilla press. Open the tortilla press and lay one piece of waxed paper on the press. Place the masa ball in the center. Place another piece of waxed paper over the masa ball. Gently close the press and press down, until the dough has spread to 6-inches in diameter.
• Heat a cast-iron griddle or a large nonstick skillet on high heat. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, hold a tortilla in your hand, carefully removing the wax paper on each side. Allow the tortilla to rest half on your hand, and half hanging down, and gently lay the tortilla down on to the hot skillet. Start working on pressing the next tortilla. Cook the tortilla on the hot pan for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side. The tortilla should be lightly toasted and little air pockets forming.
• Heat 2-inches of canola oil in a heavy-bottomed medium skillet until it reaches 370 degrees F. Add the tortillas, 1 at a time and fry, turning once with tongs, until crispy, about 30 seconds. Remove to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and lightly season with salt.

BLUE CORN TORTILLA STACK

Steps:

• Make the Salsa de Chile Colorado:
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium-size skillet, over a medium heat, fry each tortilla in a little of the oil until just cooked, but not crisp. Dip each tortilla, as you build the stacks, quickly into the Salsa de Chile Colorado, just to moisten.
• In an ovenproof baking dish large enough to hold 4 of the blue corn tortillas, side by side without touching, place the first 4 tortillas.
• Top each tortilla with 1/4 cup of the cooked chicken. Top the chicken with 1/4 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the cheese with 1 teaspoon of the pine nuts and 1 teaspoon of the cilantro. Repeat layering 4 tortillas, 1/4 cup chicken, 1/4 cup cheese, 1 teaspoon pine nuts, and 1 teaspoon cilantro and finally top with the last 4 tortillas. You should have 4 stacks.
• Pour the remaining Salsa de Chile Colorado over all the stacks.
• Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer each stack to a plate, garnish with the red onion and the lime wedges, and serve immediately.
• On a comal, over a medium-high heat, toast the chiles until fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds. Cover with the chicken stock and allow to soften, about 20 minutes.
• In a blender, place the chiles and stock. Blend until chopped. Add the garlic, oregano, cumin, vinegar, tomato, and salt and pepper. Blend until very smooth.
• Over a medium heat, in a heavy skillet, heat the oil. Pour the sauce into the oil and cook for about 10 minutes.