Let’s Make a Tortilla!
Here's What To Do
Pour an entire 2.2 lb. bag of masa harina into a large bowl. Add 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil. Gradually add about 1 cup hot water (from the tap, not boiling). Stir as you go, and stop adding water when the mixture has a smooth dough texture.
Form the dough into golf-ball sized balls (about 2 Tablespoons of dough). Use a tortilla press to flatten, or put the dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper/wax paper and flatten with a heavy pot or pan. The tortillas should be about 5" wide.
(*Note: adults only for this step!*) Place each tortilla onto a hot comal (or non-stick skillet, or griddle), cooking until browned (about 1 minute on the first side and 2 minutes on the second side). Put finished tortillas in a tortilla warmer or under a clean kitchen towel.
Enjoy plain or add whatever toppings you'd like!
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Wash hands together before cooking.
Engage:
- "Can you stir the dough while I add water?"
- "Let me see your muscles! Can you press the ball until it's a flat tortilla?"
Encourage:
- "It's tricky to roll dough into a ball. Can I show you how I do it, and then you can try?"
- "The hardest part of cooking is waiting for it to be done! Can you press the next tortilla while we're waiting for this one to cook?"
Reflect:
- How do they taste? Why is making tortillas important to your family, or why do you think it might be important for other families?
Not quite ready?
Some children might not have the attention span to help after mixing and rolling the dough, and that's okay! They still benefit from being involved in the process.
Ready for more?
Prepare tortilla toppings with your child as well.
As your child masters this skill...
They will know how to prepare and enjoy a food important to many people.