Exploring the joys of marriage

In the ideal setting,  I like to cook by myself, in the peace and quite of my home, where I can concentrate or even experiment with new recipes at my leisure.  But in reality I live with two boys and a busy husband, this doesn’t happen very often.  The boys are getting to the age where they are very interested in what I am cooking, usually I pull up a chair for them to watch, but now I think is the time to let them help make something yummy.  I choose this recipe because I saw something similar on Sesame Street and I thought the boys would have a blast mixing the dough and stuffing the tortillas.   I am really glad we tried it because the boys had so much fun, and Little H all day was telling me Thank you Mommy, for the tortillas.

Oh did I mention they were really good too?  In my experience anything with fresh corn masa is so much better than the store bought prepared tortillas.  So if you think you don’t like corn tortillas (store bought) give homemade ones a try and I think it will change your mind.  They have such a rich nutty flavor.

Let me and the boys show you how we made them.

Ingredients: 2  cups Masa Harina, 1 tsp salt, 1 1/3 cups water (more if needed), 1 cup grated cheese, shredded chicken( I used sticky chicken), black beans, sprinkled with cumin and chili powder.

In a mixing bowl add the masa harina, and salt, mix together.

Then slowly incorporate the hot tap water, until dough is soft but not sticky.

See how Little W slowly stirs the dough.

Once all the water is incorporated  knead the dough really well until it forms a smooth ball.

Little W is developing the perfect technique, I guess all that play-dough practice has paid off.

Once the dough has formed a smooth ball set aside for 30 minutes and cover.

Then take the dough and form 10 balls, and flatten slightly to make small smooth patties.

make a little indention where the stuffing will go and try to press out.

Then add a little cheese

and be sure to sample all ingredients, its a must.

add a little chicken

and even a bean or two.

Now it’s time to press up the sides and enclose all the goodies.

Then place them on a hot skillet with about 2 T of oil and cook each side till golden brown, maybe about 2-3 minutes per side.

These are the boys creations.

There were still plenty to stuff so they continued on with the help of Lalo.

Mom created a easier way of stuffing she would divide the dough ball into two pieces,

Stuff the fillings, then top with the second piece and pinch down the sides.  Wet your hand with water as needed.

The verdict is that the boys enjoyed making these so much,

and love eating them as well.

I made some guacamole for dipping.

A little guac.

and a big bite.

Oh yeah!

Print This RecipeCorn Stuffed Tortillas

2 cups masa harina

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup shredded cheese (I chose the Mexican cheese mix)

1 cup shredded chicken (sticky chicken)

1 cup black beans (with added cumin and chili powder)

About 4 tablespoons peanut or canola oil
Put the masa harina and salt into a wide bowl. Slowly add about 1-1/3 cups of hot tap water, mixing as you go. You should end up with a soft, puttylike dough, as soft as you can make it without it being sticky. Add more water if you need it. Knead well and form a smooth ball. Put the ball in a plastic bag and set aside for 30 minutes or longer.

Divide the dough into 10 smooth balls. Flatten the balls slightly to make small, smooth patties. Keep them covered or in a plastic bag. Keep a bowl of lukewarm water nearby.

Cup one palm slightly and dampen it with the lukewarm water. Take one piece of dough and put it in the dampened palm. Press down on it until you have a 3-inch round, which is slightly cupped because of the shape of your palm. If the edges break, fix them with dampened fingers.

Now put about 1 T of the grated cheese, shredded chicken and beans into the cup. Bring the edges of the cup together over the top of the cheese and form a ball again. Press down on the ball gently to make a patty. Make 9 other cheese-filled patties in a similar manner and keep covered on a sheet of wax paper.

Fry in a little oil on each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.  Enjoy with guacamole, salsa, or your favorite dipping sauce.

I am happy to list this post @
Tales from The Fairy Blogmother “What’s Cooking Wednesday”
Life as Mom “Recipe Swap”
Grocery Cart Challenge ”Recipe Swap”
Mom Trends, “Friday Feasts”
Simply Sweet Home, “Friday Favorites”
Designs by Gollum “Foodie Friday”
and “Ann Kroeker “Food on Fridays”

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Tagged as: Cooking, my boys

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