Talking Tortillas, with Pati Jinich
4/27/202647 min
What can’t tortillas do? Whether they’re made with corn or wheat, masa or masa harina, homemade tortillas are a thing of beauty.
No one knows that better than today’s guest, Pati Jinich. One of the foremost experts on Mexican cuisine, Pati has traveled all over Mexico and the US to eat tortillas. She shares her vast knowledge of these special flatbreads, as well as her top tips for making them at home. Then, Jessica and David answer caller questions, including queries about tortilla presses and the elusive tortilla puff. Finally, they close the show with a Jess-opinion about what she likes to call the “burrito stump” and the recipes they’re baking this week.
Recipes and other links from this episode:
Get Pati’s recipe for Tacos Rojos (Red Tacos)
Ready to make tortillas? We have recipes for Flour Tortillas, Corn Tortillas, and 50/50 Corn and Flour Tortillas
Learn more about Pati Jinich, her work, and her upcoming book, Foods of La Frontera, at PatiJinich.com
Get Pati Jinich’s tips for the best homemade tortillas
What David’s baking this week: Masa Harina Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce
What Jessica’s baking this week: Lemon Tiramisu
Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here!
This episode is sponsored by Brød & Taylor. Your best bread is within reach. Brød & Taylor builds tools that help you get there. See what's possible at brodandtaylor.com.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJessica Battilana· Host0:00
This episode is sponsored by Brod and Taylor, helping more people bake bread, gather around the table, and share something made by hand. I'll chop up- Refrigerate ... some.
David Tamarkin· Host0:09
Okay. [laughs] What?
Jessica Battilana· Host0:11
The face you're making right now. [laughs] From King Arthur Baking Company, this is Things Bakers Know. I'm Jessica Battaglini, King Arthur's staff editor.
David Tamarkin· Host0:20
And I'm David Tamarkin, King Arthur's editorial director, and today we're talking about tortillas.
Jessica Battilana· Host0:25
[bell dings] Tortillas. You know, I think I often share weird stories with you, and today will be no exception.
David Tamarkin· Host0:32
Oh, great.
Jessica Battilana· Host0:33
Because one of the things that I like to do when I travel is pick up specialty food from wh- whatever destination I'm visiting.
David Tamarkin· Host0:41
From the airports.
Jessica Battilana· Host0:42
From the airport [laughs] gift shop.
David Tamarkin· Host0:44
That's right. Uh-huh. Yes, duty-free. Yes.
Jessica Battilana· Host0:46
Well, what I also do is that I will, like, pack clothes that I want to throw out.
David Tamarkin· Host0:50
[laughs] What?
Jessica Battilana· Host0:51
I... [laughs] Like, I'll pack, like, old T-shirts. [laughs] And I'll wear them during the trip, and then I throw them out to make room in my suitcase for something I wanna bring back.
David Tamarkin· Host1:00
Oh, my gosh. Okay.
Jessica Battilana· Host1:01
So I look- So this is a travel hack? I always look very shab- shabby when I'm traveling.
David Tamarkin· Host1:06
[laughs] Now I understand why so many people look the way they do at airports.
Jessica Battilana· Host1:10
[laughs] And then discard them at the end of the trip- To make room for- To make room for some sort of food stuff that I'm bringing back Okay Like, I went to San Francisco. I wanted to get the special rice from my friend who's a Japanese chef out there.
David Tamarkin· Host1:23
Okay.
Jessica Battilana· Host1:23
So I packed a bunch of old T-shirts, threw them out, brought several gallon bags of rice. But recently, you know, I was in Austin.