If I don't buy the fresh masa dough or make the fresh masa dough, I generally use the instant method. It's called... Instant Corn Masa Flour for tortillas. I don't know if I'll ever use it again after making the fresh from the Fresh Corn Masa this week! However, in fairness, I will probably still have busy weeks and make it using masa harina (corn flour).
4lb bag makes a very large quantity of tortillas...so it saves us a lot of money. Honestly though, the taste of homemade corn tortillas is absolute heaven. I have never once had a corn tortilla in a restaurant or off a grocery store shelf to match the tenderness of a homemade corn tortilla...ever. It usually takes about 15-20 minutes to make 16 tortillas from scratch. I do that while the meat for the tacos is cooking. It's quick dinner.
This recipe for the corn tortillas is from Doña Masita. MASECA - Tortillas.
For the Dough:
In a bowl mix 2 cups loose instant masa, 1 1/4 cup water and 1/4 tsp salt until it is all incorporated and a smooth dough is formed which doesn’t stick to your hands.
Once the tortilla is ready, cook on a hot griddle for 1 minute each side, or until the tortilla fills with air. Look how cool they look...
Again, one minute on each side is all it takes to cook them. On a large griddle I can get eight at a time going!
I keep the tortillas in a nice covered tortilla warmer until we're ready to eat.