Fast Break: Tortillas

Quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, taquitos, chilaquiles- the list could go on and on on what you could do with a tortilla. Tortillas have been around since about 10,000 BC and show no signs of disappearing any time soon. The food is easy to prepare and portable, making it ideal for any meal. Tortillas are the bread, the utensil, and the package all in one.
 
In Mexico corn was the food of the gods- it was the all important staple in their diet. Ancient Mexicans, including the Aztecs, called themselves “people born of corn.” Tortillas were traditionally prepared by soaking corn kernels in limes to help take the skins off the corn. Then they would grind them to make masa, or corn flour. Then you just add water, shape them, press them, and throw them on a griddle for a few moments until they are just lightly browned.
 
Originally tortillas were just made from all types of corn- blue, yellow, white, red. You’d be amazed at how many types of corn exist! But in Texas after the Spanish conquest immigrants began using wheat, as it was their staple food for their bread, and they weren’t accustomed to eating corn. Hence the flour tortilla was born, and so was the burrito. What soon followed was the all famous Tex-Mex tradition.
 
At Sunny Street Café we love the tortilla. Our delicious breakfast tacos are a crowd pleaser, as well as our Breakfast Burrito. For a limited time we have our special Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla: chipotle-lime marinated chicken breast, chunks of smashed avocado, tomatoes, red onion and cheddar-jack cheese in a golden crispy tortilla. To a thousands of year old tradition to today- we’ll never stop loving the tortilla.
 

Anna Hetzel, Content Manager