What to do with: Tortillas

Tortillas

Seen tortillas on the supermarket shelf but not sure what to do with them? Read on for tasty ideas.

The low-down

What are they?

A tortilla is a round flatbread which originated in South America and can be made from wheat or corn.
Wheat (or 'flour') tortillas are flexible and very versatile for making wraps and are traditionally used to make dishes such as quesadillas, burritos and fajitas.
Corn tortillas are smaller, thicker and less flexible – these are used to make corn tortilla chips and tacos.

Where do I get them?

Tortillas can be found in the supermarket alongside Mexican ingredients such as salsa and refried beans and also in the bread section.
Once opened they can be stored in a sealed container for a few days.
You can also freeze tortillas: just put a piece of greaseproof paper in between each one to prevent them from becoming stuck together and freeze for up to a month.

Ideas for using tortillas

Quesadillas: Spread a tortilla with salsa, add smoked chicken and sprinkle with grated cheese and place another tortilla on top. Spray a non-stick frying pan with oil, carefully place the quesadilla in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp and hot. Cut into wedges and serve with a dollop of sour cream.
Pre-dinner nibbles: Spread tortillas with lite cream cheese and pesto, roll up tightly, wrap in plastic wrap and put in the fridge. Once ready to serve, slice into 2cm thick diagonal slices.
Tortilla chips: Cut tortillas into quarters to make small triangles, spray with oil and bake in a hot oven for a few minutes until crisp.
Enchiladas: Put some spicy beans or meat along one side of a tortilla (allow 2 per person), roll up and place into an oven dish. Top with tinned tomatoes or tomato purée, sprinkle on some grated cheese and bake until golden.

http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/articles/searchcategories?vocabulary_name=hfm.categories.foodandnutrients&catalog_index=foodandnutrients_categories&vocabulary_term=breadsandcereals