Cooking Instant corn mesa??

[tigercat]

Can someone tell me how to make tortilla shells using the instant corn mesa? I just bought it and tried to make them but it didn't come out right. I don't have the press thingamajig so what could I use instead? Are there some tricks? Any help would be welcomed
tigercat

 

[MazdaUK]

I have NO idea what this stuff is but could a pasta machine help?

 

[greeneeyes]

It's masa, not mesa. I've never seen instant, they just sell the regular masa harina here. I did a little searching and all you add is water & salt to it to make the dough. Was there not a recipe on the package?

Most people have a press, but I guess you could use a rolling pin.


EDIT:
Try this recipe as it says to hand form -

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/262/Corn_Tortillas9958.shtml

 

[tigercat]

Yes sort of. It does give you some directions but only using a press. The instructions you gave me greeneeyes gives me more. I didn't kneed it as it wasn't called for. I will give that a try. I just found that when I took it off the saran wrap after rolling they just came apart. This receipy though says to use wax paper. That might work better. Just like home made pasta I guess this will take a few tries before I get it right.
tigercat

 

[joha]

Look for instant masa in the ethnic section of your market, if you have one. Maseca is one brand, if you don't find it at the supermarket look for it at the little grocery stores (Mexican or Central American places).
If you don't have a tortilla press, you can cut a round shape from a plastic grocery bag and once you have mixed the masa (with water and make a ball).
Flatten the ball using the palm of your hand and fingers. Place the tortilla in a
hot griddle or pan.

 

[tigercat]

How do you get the tortilla in the pan without it falling apart? Mine were in pieces by the time I tried to put them in the pan.
tigercat

 

[tigercat]

Okay I tried it again tonight and it worked. Still a lot of work but they turned out good. Not great but good. I worked the dough until it became smooth and I used 2 pieces of wax paper. First a put the piece of dough between 2 plates and then used my rolling pin. By using the wax paper instead of the saran wrap I was able to get it into the pan better. I did have to keep new wax paper going but they were good. Thanks for all the help. I will keep trying until I get it right but at least we were able to use them tonight unlike the last time.
tigercat

 

[HERSEY]

Try this recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/corn-tortillas-recipe/index.html