Steaming Soft Tortillas: Rice Cooker Hack

Steaming tortillas is a great way to enhance their texture and make them more pliable and enjoyable to eat. This technique is especially useful for dishes like tacos, enchiladas, or burritos, where you need the flexibility to wrap and roll the tortillas. While there are various methods to steam tortillas, such as using a microwave or a stove, one unique approach is to use a rice cooker. This guide will teach you how to steam tortillas in a rice cooker, a simple and effective method to achieve soft and warm tortillas.

Preparing the rice cooker

Firstly, ensure your rice cooker has a steamer basket. If it does not, you can use a heatproof plate or parchment paper to create a makeshift steamer basket.

Next, fill the rice cooker with water. The amount of water will depend on the size of your rice cooker and the number of tortillas you wish to steam. As a general rule, ensure the water level is a few inches below the steamer basket, and does not touch the bottom of it.

Then, place the steamer basket or plate into the rice cooker, ensuring it fits securely. If using a plate, you may want to use foil to cover the plate and protect it from direct contact with the steam.

After that, bring the water to a gentle simmer or boil over medium heat. The time this will take depends on the amount of water and the power of your rice cooker.

Once the water is simmering, you can add your tortillas. Stack them neatly in the steamer basket or on the plate, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. This will ensure even steaming.

Finally, place a lid on top of the rice cooker to trap the steam. You can now begin steaming your tortillas.

Stacking the tortillas

Firstly, decide on the number of tortillas you want to stack. This will depend on the size of your rice cooker and the number of people you are serving. For a standard rice cooker, you can typically stack around 4-6 tortillas at a time.

Now, let's talk about the stacking technique. The key is to ensure even steaming and prevent the tortillas from sticking together. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Place one tortilla flat on your work surface.
• Lightly dampen a paper towel or a clean kitchen cloth with water. You can also use a tortilla warmer or parchment paper.
• Cover the tortilla with the dampened paper towel or cloth.
• Place another tortilla on top of the paper towel or cloth.
• Repeat this process until you have stacked the desired number of tortillas.
• Make sure that the tortillas are evenly layered and covered by the dampened paper towel or cloth.
• If you are using a tortilla warmer, simply follow the instructions provided with the product. Typically, you would place the stack of tortillas inside the warmer and secure the lid.
• If you are using parchment paper, wrap the stack of tortillas securely, ensuring no part of the tortillas is exposed.
• Now your stack of tortillas is ready to be placed in the rice cooker for steaming.

Remember, it is important to not overcrowd the rice cooker, as it can lead to uneven steaming. Always refer to the instructions provided with your rice cooker for the best results.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for steaming tortillas in a rice cooker depend on several factors, including the type of tortilla, the amount you are steaming, and the desired texture. Here is a detailed guide to help you achieve perfectly steamed tortillas:

Corn vs Flour Tortillas

Corn tortillas tend to benefit more from steaming as they become significantly more pliable and easier to work with. Flour tortillas can also be steamed, but they may not show as much improvement in texture.

Stacking Tortillas

When placing tortillas in the rice cooker, you can stack them on top of each other. This is a space-saving method, especially if you are cooking for a larger group. However, do not overcrowd the rice cooker, as it can lead to uneven steaming. A good rule of thumb is to stack no more than 6-12 tortillas at a time, depending on their size and thickness.

Cooking Time

The steaming time will depend on your desired texture. For soft and pliable tortillas, steam them for approximately 1 to 2 minutes. If you prefer your tortillas to have a little more bite, you can reduce the steaming time to around 30 seconds. Always keep an eye on the tortillas during the cooking process to avoid oversteaming, which can make them soggy.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for steaming tortillas is a gentle simmer over medium heat. This ensures that the tortillas are cooked evenly and do not scorch. If you are using an electric rice cooker, set it to the "warm" or "steam" setting if available. For stovetop rice cookers, adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.

Maintaining Moisture

To ensure that your tortillas stay moist during the steaming process, you can wrap them in a clean, damp kitchen towel or cloth. This helps to trap the moisture and prevent the tortillas from drying out. Alternatively, you can place a damp cloth over the tortillas before covering them with the lid of the rice cooker.

Warming Up Store-Bought Tortillas

If you are using store-bought tortillas, it is recommended to warm them up slightly before steaming. You can do this by placing them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds on each side. This enhances their flavour and makes them more receptive to the steaming process.

Flavour Variations

While the primary goal of steaming tortillas is to achieve a soft and pliable texture, you can also experiment with adding flavours. Try using flavoured liquids such as broth or juice instead of water in the rice cooker. Additionally, you can season the tortillas with herbs and spices before placing them in the cooker.

Removing the tortillas

Once the tortillas are steamed, it's time to remove them from the rice cooker. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Using tongs or a spatula, carefully lift the steamed tortillas out of the rice cooker. Be cautious to avoid any escaping steam.
• Place the tortillas on a clean, dry surface or directly onto a serving plate.
• If you wish to keep the tortillas warm, wrap them in a clean kitchen towel or aluminium foil. This will also prevent them from drying out.
• If you're not serving them immediately, you can keep them warm in a tortilla warmer. This will help retain their softness and flexibility.
• Serve the tortillas with your choice of fillings or enjoy them as an accompaniment to your meal.

Remember, the tortillas will be hot, so take care when handling them to avoid any burns. Now you can enjoy the delicious, soft, and flexible tortillas you've steamed to perfection in your rice cooker!

Keeping tortillas warm

There are several ways to keep tortillas warm, and one of the most effective methods is to use steam. Steaming tortillas is a great way to enhance their texture and make them more pliable and enjoyable to eat. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do it using a rice cooker:

Firstly, wait until your rice cooker has finished cooking the rice. The rice cooker will then be nice and steamy, providing the perfect environment for steaming tortillas. Take a few tortillas and fold them up before placing them in the rice cooker. They will absorb the steam and come out warm and soft, just like the ones served in restaurants.

If you don't have a rice cooker, you can create a makeshift steamer using a pot and a colander or steamer basket. Fill the pot with a few inches of water, making sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the colander or steamer basket. Place the colander or basket on top of the pot, ensuring a secure fit. Bring the water to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Arrange the tortillas in a single layer on the colander or basket and cover with a lid to trap the steam. Let the tortillas steam for 1-2 minutes until they become soft and pliable.

Another option is to use a microwave and a damp cloth or paper towel. Moisten the cloth or paper towel and wrap the tortillas in it. Place the wrapped tortillas in the microwave and heat for about a minute. This method will give you very soft and moist tortillas.

You can also use a similar steaming technique with plates. Place the tortillas on a plate and cover them with another plate upside down. Microwave as you normally would, and the tortillas will steam in their own moisture.

For a smaller number of tortillas, you can use a stove-top method. Place the tortillas directly on the stove burner for a few seconds until warm, then flip them over. This is a quick and easy way to heat up a few tortillas.

If you're preparing a larger number of tortillas, you can use an oven method. Wrap 6-8 tortillas in tin foil and place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. This is a convenient way to heat multiple stacks of tortillas.

By using these methods, you can keep your tortillas warm, soft, and pliable, making them perfect for rolling, wrapping, or enjoying as part of your favourite Mexican dishes.

Frequently asked questions