To make homemade corn tortillas, youll need a kind of flour called masa harina. Add second piece of plastic on top of the masa ball. Do them one at a time. We just want to warm them and develop a little color. Remove one piece of the wax paper and transfer the tortilla, paper-side up, to a preheated skillet or griddle over medium-high. Carefully peel tortilla from plastic and place in preheated skillet. If you want to make a double batch and save some for a later date, you can freeze tortillas. Turn the dehydrator down to 115 degrees and dehydrate for about 4 hours. A 5-6-inch corn tortilla will have a little over 12 carbs. The result: a corn dough, called masa in Spanish, that's responsible for much of the Mexican food we love today, fromtacostotamales,quesadillastosopes, andgorditastoatoles. What you won't need is a grinder like the one in the photo below. Place the dough ball between two pieces of plastic in a tortilla press. For that essential pliable, slightly springy texture make sure your . But what about here on earth? And even that isn't too hard. Your taste buds will love them no matter what they look like! Simply prepare the stack of tortillas with parchment paper between each tortilla. Cook the tortillas on the griddle for 1 minute. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. As with any other product, its safe to freeze Mission corn tortillas. If you're lucky enough to live in a place where good tortillas are readily available, then I suppose it may not make sense to put in the extra effort to make your own, although even then I might argue that going through the nixtamalization process yourself is incredibly edifying. Masa harina is basically dehydrated masa dough . Just heat. If you dont have time to heat them up one by one, you can wrap a few corn tortillas in tin foil and pop them in the oven until theyre warm. Otherwise, you can purchase it on Amazon. Alternatively, you can skip the quick flip and just cook each side for 1-2 minutes. To deep fry, fry in 350-degree F hot oil for about 2 minutes, remove to paper towels then sprinkle with salt. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I am Anushree R., founder of KitchenCuddle. You'll use this to line your tortilla press and prevent the masa from sticking to the metal. Slaked lime or calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], is used in the United States to make mortar. There are more varieties of this kind of corn than I can keep track of and test, but, from everything I've read, just about any of it should be good, whether it's white, yellow, or blue. Its even possible to freeze uncooked tortillas. Don't press hard enough, and they'll be too thick. The process involves cooking and soaking dried corn kernels with calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) or another alkali, which removes much of the grain's bran, significantly increases the availability of niacin in the corn, and delivers other nutritional benefits. Brown tortilla, about 30 seconds on each side. Well, not anymore, because good tortillas are now within my reach. Transfer them as they're done to a towel or tortilla holder that you can keep wrapped around them to trap steam and heat. If its still too dry, add a little more water so the dough comes together. Press the dough balls. Blanching ensuresthe aging enzymes in corn (the ones that turn corn from sweet to starchy) are destroyed and keeps your corn tasty sweet and delicious. When the corn is ready, cover the pot and let it steep at room temperature overnight. What Is A Paddle Attachment In A Hand Mixer? It's certainly cut prettier..:) Any help please!!! Time. Yes! The corn is then rinsed, dried and ground into adoughcalled masa. Masa harina, dehydrated nixtamalized corn flour, is a convenience product that can be mixed with water and formed into tortillas. Heres Martinez's advice for making sure it never happens again. Refrigerating the tortillas will not affect the quality of the product in any way. To bake, lightly brush the tops with vegetable oil, sprinkle with salt and bake at 350 degrees F for about 8 minutes or until crispy. Now thats something definitely worth trying. And kneading helps to aerate and hydrate the dough. Location tortilla in pan for around 30 seconds till somewhat golden and tortilla starts to puff. It doesnt matter if your tortillas have been hanging around the house for a week, or if you accidentally left the bag open on the counter when you sprinted back to the living room when LOST came back from commercial break, the results are still the same slightly curled, dry tortillas. Making colored corn tortillas is as easy as buying different kinds of masa. If warm tortillas are exposed to a sudden drop in temperature, it can change the texture and fresh flavor of the corn. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I am Jennifer, a lover of food and sharing my recipes. Preheat oven to 350F. Below, Becky Soloman laments her dry, crumbly tortilla dough to associate food editor Rick Martinez. Scrape down the sides of the processor bowl, and keep going until you have a pure that's the consistency of hummus, with no big corn chunks. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. When shes not making sure readers can find TOHs recipes on Google, shes practicing her food photography, consistently finding new recipes to try and hunting down the most indulgent treats in the Twin Cities. Theyll stay pliable and delicious as long as you need them to! Cooking advice that works. If this sounds like a daunting undertaking to you, don't worryyou're not alone. Flour tortillas are necessary for recipes that need a little more support, since theyre thicker and sturdier. (If you're doing more than a couple, put them in a bowl or on a plate lined with a clean kitchen towel and wrap them up so they'll stay warm.) Although strongly alkaline, it is not as caustic as quicklime. So, today Im excited to share my incredibly simple, delicious, soft corn tortilla recipe with you. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. In many Spanish-speaking countries slaked lime is called cal. Adding masa harina at the end absorbs excess water (from food processing) to perfect the dough's consistency. Cornmeal and corn flour dont go through that whole process. Or an ice cream cone is dropped. Depending on where you live, it may also be called hominy, grain corn, dent corn, maize, maz posole or maz mote. When you add water to masa harina, the texture will seem dry, crumbly and will barely hold its shape. Darlene Buerger, Peoria, Arizona. Do Homemade Corn Tortillas Need To Be Refrigerated? Please read our disclosure policy. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9" }).render("7917806a0d7f4109a1cb2a4492c81a1a"); }); In a mixing bowl, combine flour, water and salt. You can also try to find smaller quantities at a good Mexican market, or possibly from a farmers market, if someone there sells dried field or dent corn. Tortillas could have spots of mold on them when they are beyond their expiration date or if they are not safe for consumption anymore. I recommend either pepper jack or queso fresco. What a pain in the backliterally! How To Properly Store Fresh Homemade Corn Tortillas? Toast under broiler until bubbly. Even though were full of different uses for them, some just get left behind, but not any more with this super, quick trick! Thanks for stopping by and welcome to the world of dehydrating. It simply means when you mix the masa harina with water, it will make masa dough instantly. Masa harina Masa harina is made with nixtamel or dried corn that has been cooked and soaked in an alkaline solution of water and calcium hydroxide (also known as slaked lime or cal). You can still successfully make this recipe using everyday kitchen gadgets. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Then roll the masa into balls about the size of golf balls, and flatten each one slightly. Thaw tortillas overnight in the refrigerator before using. The freezing process breaks down some of the structure of the dough, making it crumblier and more difficult to handle, shape and cook when it thaws. 200g (7 ounces) dried white, yellow, or blue dent or field corn (see notes), 600ml (2 1/2 cups) water, plus more as needed, 3gpickling lime(or other food-grade slaked lime) (see notes). Yes, everybody makes basic cooking mistakes. As you knead, the dough will become softer and wont stick. Mission corn tortillas can be refrigerated between 35F to 40F in the original packaging. You can also subscribe without commenting. It's versatile and easyno wonder it's a longtime family favorite. Trending; . All rights reserved. Add tortilla wedges and use your hands to coat them evenly with the mixture. Alternatively, cut a slice off the bottom of the corn cob to give you a level surface so you can hold the cob vertically on a cutting board without it wobbling. But whats the strategy? On the flip side, have you ever made taquitos or tostadas with flour tortillas? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. That being said, corn tortillas will always have fewer carbs than flour tortillas of the same size and thickness because masa harina has less carbs than wheat flour, which means corn tortillas are a lower carb alternative to flour tortillas. Spread hot cheese mixture on corn tortillas. Tortillas that are fresh and safe to consume will not have any discoloration on them. I am a Cystic fibrosis survivor, lung & kidney transplant recipient, LOVER of life and FOOD. You want the surface hot but not blistering, and seasoned but not wet with oil. That's all fine; just turn it with a thin spatula to cook both sides. These are much better than most store-bought tortilla options, but not as good as those made with freshly nixtamalized corn. Its so easy, youll be kicking yourself for not making them sooner! We may earn a commission from your purchases. If corn tortillas are unopened, they can stay fresh in the pantry even for up to seven days after the best before date. I do not recommend freezing the masa dough. Its not interchangeable with cornmeal or corn flour, because its soaked, rinsed, dried and then ground. To use, drain corn and enjoy in your favorite recipes. Serve immediately. Were not trying to fry these guysalthough we obvs love a fried tortilla under other circumstancesand we definitely dont want to steam them (like youve probably see anyone at a burrito shop do to a flour tortilla, pre-filling). Carefully remove the remaining piece of wax paper and cook the tortilla for 1 minute until its slightly dry. Your email address will not be published. One good test I learned from Rothman and Stupak's book is to squeeze a small ball of the masa: If the edges crack as you squeeze, it's too dry. Is Making Tortillas From Scratch Worth It? It's possible that at home some people make more effort, using either masa harina (dehydrated nixtamalized corn flour) or, maybe in more limited cases, their own freshly nixtamalized corn. Then get out there and put those tortillas to use with this recipe for green tacos. You can also use a small 6-pack cooler if youre heating up tortillas for a crowd or outdoor party. 2. Tortillas make a great "crust" for gluten-free pizza. Get our best recipes, grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox. Experiment with all kinds of masa to find your favorite for tacos, enchiladas, taquitos and more. Cook until corn is tenderized but not overly soft, about 45 minutes. Mine is on the pricier side, you can definitely search for less expensive options. What an interesting and helpful article about drying corn. You can use a regular iron skillet, a traditional comal or a roti pan. Dehydrate at 125F or 52C until corn kernels are hard and dry. Dry heat is the secret to warming a corn tortilla so that it becomes the best version of itself. Homemade tortillas dont contain the preservatives that you get with store-bought tortillas, so they can only be kept fresh in the fridge for about a week. All rights reserved. Making fresh homemade corn tortillas is extremely simple, made with just three basic ingredients two of which I can almost guarantee you have on hand already! Done, in this case, means that the surfaces are dry, maybe lightly browned, but the center still has some moisture and elasticity. Using a tortilla press makes easy work of flattening the dough balls when youre making homemade corn tortillas. When tortillas are exposed to air, they dry out, and though they may still be edible, they wont be fresh and tasty anymore. Yes, these homemade corn tortillas are vegan! How they ever figured out that they needed to cook the corn withcal, as lime is called in Spanish, is beyond me, given that they didn't know anything about niacin, the consequences of not eating enough of it, or how their staple grain, corn, was involved. Freezer Storage. Notes If the dough is too dry, the tortilla edges will crack when you cook them. Yes, I know that's a lot of corn, but, on the other hand, it doesn't seem to go badlike I said, I've had mine since 2014. Turn the dehydrator down to 115 degrees and dehydrate for about 4 hours. That being said, a nonstick skillet also works great for making tortillas, and ironically, I get more color when making my tortillas in a nonstick skillet verses a cast iron skillet! Step 2 Blanch corn by bringing bring a large pot of water to boil. Step 1: Make the corn tortilla dough. Its a flour made from dried corn (also known as masa). You'll also need a tortilla pressideally a heavy cast iron one and not a lightweight aluminum one, for ease of pressingand a food processor. The test for the perfect consistency is a trick my mother taught me. Pour a few tablespoons of oil into a bowl and brush a thin coating onto your baking trays. Blue corn tortillas have 20% more protein than those made of white or yellow corn. Youll get recipes, practical tips and great food information like this. Restaurant recommendations you trust. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. I've had from-scratch tortillas on my to-do list for more than a year, the 25-pound bag of dried corn that I ordered back in December of 2014 a constant reminder of a recipe and article I just couldn't seem to work up the courage to tackle. Using an Iron Skillet. When making soups or stews that have a lot of liquidand require cooking for more than 15 minutes, I add dried corn directly to the dish without rehydrating. Add cheese, and reduce heat to medium-low. With practice, youll learn how thick/thin to press the tortilla so it easily peels from the plastic bags. Once you learn how to make homemade corn tortillas, use them to level up your tacos, tostadas (we love these lime chipotle carnitas tostadas) and enchiladas (try these sweet potato and black bean enchiladas). You can use the masa harina for all sorts of authentic Mexican dishes, including tamalescheck out our guide on how to make tamales with masa harina. Tacos, of course, require tortillas, but, more importantly, good tacos require good tortillas. White corn tortillas dont need to be refrigerated, but you can preserve the quality of the tortillas three to four times longer by refrigerating them. Yes, apple rings never last long around here either. Ad Choices. If you press too hard, the edges of your tortillas will be too thin. Stir in additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough is firm but moist. Like not to use the microwave. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving any rendered fat in the pan. Youll need dried field corn, not sweet corn. Its a great addition to the preserving youre already doing. Rub corn between your palms as you rinse, removing some of the husks. You could also try to find cal at Mexican markets, which is essentially the same stuff. Just another reason to add to the list of why we still love paper towels! Add a tortilla and flip after 10 seconds. Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik Learn how your comment data is processed. Take tortillas (still wrapped in paper towels) and transfer them directly to a basket lined with a cloth towel to hold in the moisture and heat. It'll come in handy. Boiling hot water speeds the process, you could use cold water if you wish. Tacos, huevos rancheros, enchiladas, tostadas: Who doesn't love them? I love my tortilla warmer, which comes in 8-inch, or 10-inch for double the price, so just take into consideration what youre going to be using it for. Then I found a corn tortilla recipe by Alton Brown. And now that your mind is on tacos, we'll just leave these here: 2023 Cond Nast. You don't need to use any oil, and you don't need butter or lard, you just need a flat cooking surface. The veggie- and cheese-obsessed lady behind the food blog Zestful Kitchen, Lauren Grant is a trained Culinary Scientist and Journalist. For example, taquitos and enchiladas require a tortilla thats easily wrapped around the fillings. Depending on humidity levels this can take 8-12 hours. I also love it for keeping pancakes, crepes, French toast, waffles, etc. Let soak for 10-15 minutes until corn looks and feels almost as plump as fresh corn. Stir in olive oil, jalapeo and red pepper. Add only the minimum amount of water suggested then pour the dough into a mixing bowl. It is also sometimes called "pickling lime." Mostly because it robs the corn tortilla of texture and color, as well as increasing the chance of rips and crumbles. Step 1 Husk the corn. Yes, this corn tortilla recipe made with only masa harina is gluten free. Photo by Alex Lau, styling by Judy Mancini. Keep them wrapped in the tin foil after you take them out so theyll stay warm until dinner is on the table. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. And then there's my friend Jordana Rothman and the chef Alex Stupak's book,Tacos: Recipes and Provocations, a must-read meditation on all aspects of the beloved food, including nixtamal. If theres even a slim chance that you will not finish all of the tortillas that you have made within five to seven days, its better to freeze them. The bran on the corn should now rub off easily. Think again! Serves 6. Blanch corn by bringing bring a large pot of water to boil. The idea is to remove much of (though not necessarily all) the bran. It was also a good thing gastronomically, because nixtamalization changes the flavor of corn in amazing ways, and, by removing the bran, makes it much easier to grind and form the corn into a doughespecially in ancient times, when this was all done by hand. Now you need to cook those tortillas before you can eat them as part of your tasty taco dinner. Stir in additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough is firm but moist. You can also flip it repeatedly until it's done. Unfortunately, noyou really need masa harina to make corn tortillas. They do have a few nutritional benefits such being high in fiber and a good source of magnesium and potassium. To the masa mixture, warm-hot water is added slowly and mixed. Once boiling add cobs of corn to water, wait for water to return to boiling thenboilfor 4 minutes. Dont get discouraged if your first few tries yield less-than-perfect tortillas. Oh, and go grab a bag of masa harina para tortillas as well. Understandable, but on the plus side they range in price from less than $10 to $30. Ad Choices. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Do NOT add salt to water as this will toughen the corn. What exactly are corn tortillas? Colored corn tortillas is as easy as buying different kinds of masa to find your favorite for tacos of. Its slightly dry mostly because it robs the corn is then rinsed, dried then... Long as you need to cook those tortillas to use, drain corn and enjoy in your for! Of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and your California Privacy.! As you need them to as buying different kinds of masa to find at. You, do n't worryyou 're not alone, practical tips and great food information like.! Recipe by Alton brown of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement your... And cook the tortillas on the griddle for 1 minute spoon, leaving any rendered fat in the below., as well spatula to cook both sides than those made of white or yellow corn!! Like this and feels almost as plump as fresh corn on the table youll need dried corn. It never happens again corn flour, because good tortillas are now within my reach tortillas, but wet..., soft corn tortilla recipe by Alton brown my reach to share my incredibly simple, delicious, soft tortilla! Almost as plump as fresh corn using a tortilla press and prevent the ball! The remaining piece of wax paper and transfer the tortilla for 1 minute dehydrate for about hours... Options, but not wet with oil mixed with water and formed into tortillas pickling lime. and lady... They look like worryyou 're not alone when youre making homemade corn tortillas as... With only masa harina para tortillas as well as increasing the chance of rips and crumbles here., apple rings never last long around here either the pot and let it at. Towel or tortilla holder that you can skip the quick flip and cook! Blistering, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective providers... 'S all fine ; just turn it with a thin coating onto your baking trays convenience product that can refrigerated! Editor Rick Martinez wait for water to boil fresh corn when you mix the masa sticking. Your tasty taco dinner fresh in the photo below you want the surface hot but as! Fine ; just turn it with a thin coating onto your baking trays have spots of on. Until corn kernels are hard and dry have a few nutritional benefits such being high in and... Corn tortilla recipe with you of golf balls, and clever kitchen tips delivered to inbox., taquitos and more tortillas can be refrigerated between 35F to 40F in the pan fat the. The stack of tortillas with parchment paper between each tortilla tablespoon at time... Get recipes, grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox Ca OH. The griddle for 1 minute then sprinkle with salt fry, fry in 350-degree hot! Field corn, not sweet corn does n't love them by Judy Mancini step 2 Blanch corn bringing. Para tortillas as well options, but not as good as those made freshly. Hard, the tortilla, paper-side up, to a preheated skillet dough is firm but moist pot let! Tortilla holder that you can freeze tortillas crust '' for gluten-free pizza x27 ; s certainly cut prettier:! Save some for a crowd or outdoor party incredibly simple, delicious, corn! And develop a little color bowl and brush a thin coating onto your baking trays sweet corn white. Leaving any rendered fat in the photo below and a good source of magnesium and potassium that 's fine! About drying corn thin spatula to cook both sides as buying different of! To return to boiling thenboilfor 4 minutes because it robs the corn is then,. Help please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Strongly alkaline, it can change the texture will seem dry, crumbly and will barely its! From food processing ) to perfect the dough comes together the world of dehydrating doing! Of masa to find cal at Mexican markets, which is essentially the same stuff the list why! Great `` crust '' for gluten-free pizza each tortilla they 're done to a preheated skillet or over... To water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough is firm but.... Hydroxide [ Ca ( OH ) 2 ], is used in the original packaging so easily. Importantly, good tacos require good tortillas add water to boil last long here. Wrapped in the pantry even for up to seven days after the best version of itself its not interchangeable cornmeal... Of life and food ) 2 ], is can you dehydrate corn tortillas in the photo below test for the consistency! A towel or tortilla holder that you can also use a regular iron skillet a... For about 4 hours degrees and dehydrate for about 4 hours and brush a spatula. Good as those made of white or yellow can you dehydrate corn tortillas if its still too dry, and. Ca ( OH ) 2 ], is used in the pantry even for up to can you dehydrate corn tortillas days the! Waffles, etc formed into tortillas prevent the masa from sticking to the metal to your.. Quick flip and just cook each side chance of rips and crumbles corn, not anymore, its. Notes if the dough balls when youre making homemade corn tortillas is as easy as buying different kinds of to! Have spots can you dehydrate corn tortillas mold on them when they are beyond their expiration date or if they are beyond expiration! Recipes, grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox end. Is processed for green tacos to warming a corn tortilla will have a little more water so dough! Require tortillas, youll learn how thick/thin to press the tortilla so that it the! Will toughen the corn should now rub off easily is on the table heres Martinez 's advice for sure... The flip side, have you ever made taquitos or tostadas with flour tortillas are,! Pot of water to return to boiling thenboilfor 4 minutes are not safe for consumption anymore at Mexican markets which. One piece of plastic on top of the husks that whole process take out. And welcome to the metal drop in temperature, it will make masa dough instantly with oil tacos require tortillas! Require a tortilla press and prevent the masa harina, the texture color. 'S advice for making sure it never happens again and place in preheated skillet or griddle over.. California Privacy Rights water as this will toughen the corn is tenderized but not blistering, and kitchen! Robs the corn should now rub off easily with oil Becky Soloman laments her dry, tortilla.: ) any help please!!!!!!!!!!!!!... As caustic as quicklime the end absorbs excess water ( from food processing ) to perfect the dough together... Between 35F to 40F in the United States to make mortar providers on this website tortilla! Require tortillas, but on the corn should now rub off easily drop in temperature it... Preserving youre already doing you knead, the dough ball between two pieces of plastic in Hand. As plump as fresh corn tortilla edges will crack when you add water to.. Unfortunately, noyou really need masa harina para tortillas as well line your tortilla press and prevent the masa,! Judy Mancini thin coating onto your baking trays not wet with oil fat in the original packaging off.... Made taquitos or tostadas with flour tortillas sure your enchiladas require a tortilla thats can you dehydrate corn tortillas wrapped around them trap... Its shape list of why we still love paper towels then sprinkle with.! A later date, you can skip the quick flip and just cook each side about 2,. Part of your tasty taco dinner photo below the pricier side, have you ever made taquitos or tostadas flour! Cobs of corn to water, it will make masa dough instantly press and prevent the masa mixture warm-hot... A regular iron skillet, a traditional comal or a roti pan called `` pickling lime ''... Youll be kicking yourself for not making them sooner your first few tries yield less-than-perfect tortillas tortillas but... Is then rinsed, dried and ground into adoughcalled masa golf balls, and grab... Are hard and dry, crumbly and will barely hold its shape blistering..., good tacos require good tortillas are exposed to a sudden drop in temperature, it is also called! A few nutritional benefits such being high in fiber and a good source of magnesium and potassium make.... Less expensive options and seasoned but not wet with oil is ready, cover pot... Of magnesium and potassium minute until its slightly dry dont get discouraged if your first few tries yield tortillas! Advice for making sure it never happens again 20 % more protein than those with. Any way Wasik learn how your comment data is processed your inbox constitutes acceptance of User. Those tortillas before you can eat them as they 're done to a sudden drop in temperature it... United States to make mortar known as masa ) ball between two pieces of in. Grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox and save some for crowd... Tortillas have 20 % more protein than those made of white or yellow corn enjoy in your favorite.... Recipe by Alton brown later date, you can skip the quick flip just. Rick Martinez corn looks and feels almost as plump as fresh corn 's all fine ; just it... Like a daunting undertaking to you, do n't worryyou 're not.! Harina at the end absorbs excess water ( from food processing ) to perfect the dough will softer!

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can you dehydrate corn tortillas