Corn tortillas are incredibly versatile and used in a wide variety of dishes, functioning both as a component and a utensil. They serve as a fundamental building block in many Mexican and Latin American cuisines.
Here's a breakdown of common uses:
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Edible Utensil: Fresh, warm tortillas are used to scoop up food, functioning as an edible spoon or pusher.
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Base for Dishes:
- Enchiladas: Slightly stale tortillas are dipped in sauce and used as the base for enchiladas, being rolled around a filling and baked.
- Tacos: Fried or heated tortillas are folded or rolled to create tacos, filled with various meats, vegetables, and toppings.
- Tostadas: Flat, fried tortillas serve as a crispy base for tostadas, which are typically topped with beans, meat, lettuce, cheese, and salsa.
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Snacks & Sides:
- Tortilla Chips: Fried and often salted, corn tortillas are cut into wedges to become tortilla chips, perfect for dipping in salsa, guacamole, or other dips.
In summary, corn tortillas are used as edible utensils, bases for dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tostadas, and as snacks like tortilla chips. Their versatility makes them a staple in many cuisines.
