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Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:02 am
by taabarang
Does anyone know if they are for sale anywhere in Cambodia? I've tried hand-
rolling them and using a rolling pin with no success. They come out with uneven thickness, holes, and look like an amoeba on the prowl. Thanks.

Re: Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:28 am
by beaker
are you making Flour or corn tortillas ?
When I can find masa for corn tortillas I roll them between two pieces of plastic, like plastic bags, then roll with roller. As long as you get the right amount of water not hard to make.
Flour tortillas are easier as long as you have a good recipe and keep your board floured as you roll. I just made a dozen yesterday take a little practice .
Here is the recipe I use:
Original recipe makes 2 dozen Change Servings

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons lard ( I use butter )

1 1/2 cups water

Directions

Whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a mixing bowl. Mix in the lard with your fingers until the flour resembles cornmeal. Add the water and mix until the dough comes together; place on a lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes until smooth and elastic. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a well-floured rolling pin to roll a dough ball into a thin, round tortilla. Place into the hot skillet, and cook until bubbly and golden; flip and continue cooking until golden on the other side. Place the cooked tortilla in a tortilla warmer; continue rolling and cooking the remaining dough.

Re: Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:52 am
by Sailorman
Belmonte Latin foods in Singapore has hand press's for corn and flour tortillas and a small commercial press for corn tortillas if you want to pop out a bunch. Go to their internet site. I believe he takes paypal and may do EMS/Priority international Post shipping. I was there last week and he has lots of spices, masa, canned goods, etc. I picked up some masa and Hominy I use in my Chili. He has a great selection of Chili powders.

If your handy with wood or know someone that is you can probably make you own press. (there should be instruction on the internet how to build one.)

Re: Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:10 am
by StroppyChops
Here's a little trick for getting the thickness even with a rolling pin. Find two sticks/rods that are the thickness you want. These might be chopsticks, skewers, etc. Put one either side of what ever you're willing, and have at it using the rods as rollers.

Re: Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:25 am
by giblet
Wow! Great tip about Belmonte Latin foods, Sailorman. $25 for a 6-pack of negro modelo, though? Ouch. There are lots of other really reasonably priced items on that site, though. This makes me want to plan a trip to Singapore!

I brought a tortilla press with me and have had boxes of chilies shipped to me. They usually sell masa at Bayon in Phnom Penh and occasionally at Angkor in Siem Reap.

Re: Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 8:53 am
by taabarang
Hi guys thanks for the tips. I've tried all of them except for Mr. S. Chops chopstick trick which I will try. I've used both type of flour with the same results. It is especially difficult when trying to make burrito sized tortillas. By the way does anyone know where I can get Jalapeno seeds locally? I still think I'll have to get someone from the States to bring me a press. I used to live in California and even the Mexicans use them.

Re: Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:19 am
by Sailorman
Here's a tip if you go to Belmonte Latin Foods In Singapore. Download and print the map of Belmonte off the internet. Take the MRT to Dover MRT station and show the cabby the map. Its at the end of a dead end street in a residential/apartment-block area.

Re: Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:22 am
by StroppyChops
Can you get a hold of some waxed kitchen paper? That helps with the rolling.

Re: Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 12:44 pm
by Sailorman
I bought some at the store in Snooky and use it in my press.

Re: Wanted-tortilla press

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 6:18 pm
by StroppyChops
Yep, this ^.