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Rolly

Dec 6, 2003, 2:49 PM

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Making tortillas -- a new web page

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After talking about it for a year, I finally got around to making a new page on my website showing how tortillas are make in a neighborhood tortillería.

Go to http://rollybrook.com/tortillas.htm

I went to the shop wearing my red shirt and Santa Claus cap as is my custom this time of the year. The owners have three little kids who were very impressed that Santa had come to see them. While I was there, they made two Christmas cards for me and a variety of tree ornaments out of paper. When I finished taking the pictures I came for, I took a bunch of pictures of the kids.

Somehow the word got out that Santa was at the store, and soon every kid in the neighborhood was in the store to see Santa. I finally had to leave because there were so many kids that they were disrupting the store's business.

We all had a wonderful time.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Marlene

Dec 6, 2003, 6:08 PM

Post #2 of 17 (787 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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Those are great pictures. Such a part of life here, well maybe not with Santa, but that must have been fun... My husband claims he still has "painful" childhood memories of standing in very long lineups for tortillas every weekday morning before breakfast (and school). That was his job apparently, as the youngest of the family. LOL I love fresh tortillas and he fetches them for us too, but he claims the lineups aren't the same as early in the morning before school back in the old days...(you know, up hill. both ways to the neighborhood tortilleria) And I always wondered if you could buy them in smaller quantities; seems such a waste otherwise, as I always see them in big packs.

FeelinGroovy

Dec 6, 2003, 6:46 PM

Post #3 of 17 (777 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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Rolly,

I always enjoy your posts whether it be cooking, building or whatever. This is great, I've never seen tortillas made like this.

Keep 'em coming!
Libby

jennifer rose

Dec 6, 2003, 7:13 PM

Post #4 of 17 (771 views)

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Re: [Marlene] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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And I always wondered if you could buy them in smaller quantities; seems such a waste otherwise, as I always see them in big packs.

Sure, you can buy a quantity less than a kilo's worth. Just ask for a medio kilo.

BTW, there is a certain etiquette I've discovered when it comes to buying tortillas. I used to settle for the paper, suffering "the look." Taking note, I brought a freshly ironed ktichen towel. Not quite good enough. I brought a striped Williams Sonoma kitchen towel the next time, thinking that marked my status. Better, but it was clear that I still hadn't made it. Finally, I came upon an embroidered napkin with a crocheted edge, which I had been gifted. Finally, the vendor gave me the sign of approval. Lesson: If you want the best treatment at the tortilleria, be sure to have the proper tortilla napkin.

(This post was edited by jennifer rose on Dec 6, 2003, 7:44 PM)

Marlene

Dec 6, 2003, 7:33 PM

Post #5 of 17 (766 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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Now this makes things clearer to me! We had just redecorated the kitchen in beautiful bright Mexican colors, when I happened across the perfectly co-ordinated set of apron, kitchen towel and what I thought was an unusually shaped set of pot holders and oven mitts, in the shopping center. It matched the blues and yellows in the kitchen perfectly. From time to time I would use the pot holders. One day not long ago my husband observed me staring quizzically at the unusual oven mitt which I had just removed from my hand after deciding (out loud) it didn't fit. He was clearly in a state of amusement when he said "THAT is for the tortillas!" Oooops! I must remember to send it with him next time he lines up.

johanson

Dec 6, 2003, 8:32 PM

Post #6 of 17 (760 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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Just another public thanks for a great educational set of pictures posted on your web page . But there are several pictures that seem to be missing; those of you in your RED Santa Suit

(This post was edited by johanson on Dec 6, 2003, 8:33 PM)

FeelinGroovy

Dec 7, 2003, 9:31 AM

Post #7 of 17 (723 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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So, Jennifer,

One is to bring a specific something with which to carry the tortillas? Please explain.

Libby
Libby

jennifer rose

Dec 7, 2003, 9:44 AM

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Re: [Libby] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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So, Jennifer,

One is to bring a specific something with which to carry the tortillas? Please explain.

Well, yes. Unless you want to be regarded as a real unthinking slob. Sure, there are those who don't care and settle for paper. And those who don't plan ahead. Bringing your embroidered tortilla napkin signifies that you value the product and the effort that went into making that product. Some people bring a styrofoam or plastic tortilla container which keeps the tortillas moist.

Look around and observe what others are using. Now take a further look and notice who gets served first and who seems to be treated just a notch better than the rest of the customers. The people with the embroidered tortilla napkin, at least in neighborhood tortillerias, get special attention.

Go ahead and laugh. I used to think that it didn't matter. In years gone past, I wouldn't have been caught dead with an embroidered tortilla napkin, but I learned that there is a difference.

esperanza

Dec 7, 2003, 9:58 AM

Post #9 of 17 (711 views)

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Re: [Libby] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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Libby, when you're here we can go to the tianguis and I'll show you exactly what Jennifer is talking about. A lot of those napkins are sold there.

In addition, one of the other posts mentioned a thing that looks a little like an oddly-shaped potholder. That thing is for serving tortillas at table. I don't believe I've ever seen anyone take one of those to carry tortillas from the tortillería to the house. It wouldn't hold more than a quarter kilo at most. But the embroidered napkins...those can be any size from large-ish napkin size to small-ish tablecloth size, depending on how many kilos of tortillas one needs to feed the family. I have a lot of them; sometimes I use them for tortillas at table and sometimes I used them to line a basket for fresh-baked bolillo.

It's almost always the job of the youngest child in the family to go for the tortillas right before mealtime. When I was the newest member of a large household in Tijuana it was my job, even though I was nearly the oldest chronologically. And our little household used 3 or more kilos every lunchtime. We were about 30 people.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

sandykayak

Dec 7, 2003, 4:11 PM

Post #10 of 17 (673 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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that was really super, rolly.

Jennifer, i've seen the styrofoam tortilleras and noted what you said about keeping them moist. I have a terracota one that is glazed inside - would that keep them moist enough? (Since I live alone, my tortillas stay in the fridge until I'm ready for them!).

esperanza, i'd like you to show me the tortilla napkins in the tianguis when i return at the end of jan.

can anyone explain about the right and wrong side of a tortilla?

when i stayed with my (born and bred) Mexican friends in Queretaro, the husband was amazed to learn that one side has a "telita" (trans. is like a thin piece of "fabric"). Can't remember which side is supposed to go on the outside.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

jennifer rose

Dec 7, 2003, 4:52 PM

Post #11 of 17 (667 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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The face of the tortilla is the second side, the side which puffs up as the tortilla is cooked on the comal. This thin, skin-like side of the tortilla is what must face inward, i.e. in contact with the filling, when eating a taco. To consume a tortilla with the face side out would be akin to eating peas with a butter knife. This allows the thicker side of the tortilla to protect against spills.

There are some methods of preparing enchiladas which call for removing the thin face and discarding it.

A terracotta container should work as well as a plastic bag or a Tupper for keeping tortillas in the refrigerator. If the tortillas dry out, simply sprinkle with a little water before re-heating them in the microwave. Or use them in a recipe calling for stale tortillas.

esperanza

Dec 7, 2003, 6:43 PM

Post #12 of 17 (647 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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MICROWAVE!! Jennifer, that is sacrilege! Reheat them on the comal or griddle, or use them for chilaquiles, por favor.

Why isn't this whole tortilla thread on the Mexican Kitchen board?

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

jennifer rose

Dec 7, 2003, 7:01 PM

Post #13 of 17 (644 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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Reheating tortillas, either in a plastic bag or in a microwave-proof tortilla dish or even wrapped up in a napkin is one of the best uses for a microwave. It rehydrates them perfectly.

esperanza

Dec 7, 2003, 7:15 PM

Post #14 of 17 (642 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Making tortillas -- a new web page

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To each her own, of course. :^)

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Uncle Jack

Dec 8, 2003, 7:51 AM

Post #15 of 17 (610 views)

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I’m still enchanted.......

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.......and mesmerized by the vision of Ms. jennifer traipsing down to her local tortilla shop with her little hand embroidered tortilla doily neatly folder over her arm.

uj

HHERRINGTON

Dec 8, 2003, 12:19 PM

Post #16 of 17 (568 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] I’m still enchanted.......

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A great visual picture UJ, but I bet she does it with style.
----------------------------------------------------

Life is too complicated to be expressed in one liners.

Nick

Dec 8, 2003, 5:27 PM

Post #17 of 17 (534 views)

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Re: [HHERRINGTON] I’m still enchanted.......

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All the descriptions offered here just make me picture where we are heading this coming Thursday. My mother-in-law walks down the street, with her hand made towel in hand, from her home every morning to get tortillas for our early comida. After all these years, until this post, I have never looked closely at the cloth she takes. I promised myself this next week I'll check!!!

It is getting more difficult every year to come back to Northern California for a few months then return to Mexico for the rest of the year.... My Esposa and I have agreed that one more year of this back and forth is it.

As to the micro wave. We do use it when we are in the U.S. It does warm them up and delivers them moist. In Guadalupana we usually do not have any left over and when we do, my wife and mother-in-law use them for food in ways I would not have ever thought of.

The glory of Mexico is that there is so many ways to do so many things and all are unique..

In case I don't get back to this forum for awhile - Feliz Navidad and Ano Nuevo from Nick and Teresa

The measure of a person is determined by the way he accepts responsibility for his actions.

(This post was edited by Nick on Dec 8, 2003, 5:44 PM)