Tortillas: Arom Sandwich Wraps?

Tortillas are a versatile food that can be used for a variety of dishes. They can be used as a substitute for bread in sandwiches and wraps, providing a flexible and easy-to-roll option. In addition to the traditional Mexican dishes like quesadillas, burritos, and tacos, tortillas can be used for breakfast dishes, such as huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos. They can also be cut into strips and deep-fried to make tortilla chips, or baked and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat. With their versatility and adaptability to various cuisines, tortillas are a handy food item to have in your kitchen.

Heating tortillas

Whether you're making tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or fajitas, heating your tortillas is a crucial step in preparing a delicious meal. Warm tortillas are soft and pliable, making them perfect for wrapping around your chosen fillings. Here are some of the best ways to heat tortillas:

Using an Oven

This method is ideal for flour tortillas. Preheat your oven to 300-350°F. Wrap a stack of 5-8 tortillas in aluminium foil and place them in the oven for 10-20 minutes, until fully heated through. If you have more tortillas, you can prepare multiple packs simultaneously.

Stove-Top or Gas Burner

This method is recommended for corn tortillas as they require a drier heat. Place a dry (no oil) stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Warm each tortilla for 20-30 seconds on each side. If you have a gas stove, you can use tongs to hold the tortilla directly over the open flame for a few seconds on each side until warm and slightly charred.

Microwave

If you're short on time, the microwave is a quick and convenient option. Place 3-5 tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a slightly damp paper towel or cloth. Microwave in 30-second bursts until the tortillas are warmed through. Repeat in batches if you have more tortillas.

Regardless of the method you choose, remember to keep your tortillas warm before serving. Wrap them in a damp tea towel or a slightly dampened, clean dish towel, and set them aside until it's time to eat.

Filling options

Tortillas are versatile and can be used for a variety of fillings. Here are some ideas for filling options to get you started:

Veggie Options

• Veggie Brown Rice Wraps: This wrap features salsa, savoury veggies, brown rice, and beans.
• Hummus & Veggie Wrap: This vegan option includes hummus, veggies, and can be served with tortilla chips or pita bread on the side.
• Indian Spiced Chickpea Wraps: This wrap features chickpeas, raita (an Indian condiment made with yogurt), and vegetables. You can experiment with adding diced mango or cucumber, or fresh herbs like cilantro or mint.
• Easy Southwestern Veggie Wraps: This wrap includes corn, tomatoes, brown rice, and can be made with or without chicken.
• Rainbow Veg Wrap: This colourful wrap includes hummus, red cabbage, grated carrot, red and yellow peppers, and baby spinach.
• Avocado, Mozzarella, and Pesto Wraps: Spread pesto on a tortilla, then add avocado, roasted red pepper, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
• Hoisin Tofu and Spring Onion Wraps: Grill tofu brushed with hoisin sauce until sticky and glazed, then add to a tortilla with shredded cucumber, spring onions, and watercress.
• Avo, Cucumber, and Feta Wrap: Toss avocado and cucumber with lime juice, salt, and chilli flakes. Mash feta with natural yoghurt and pepper, then spread over a tortilla and add the avo-cucumber mix.

Meat Options

• Artichoke Steak Wraps: A simple and flavourful dish that can be made with broiled steak.
• Chicken Caesar Wraps: A twist on the classic chicken Caesar salad, featuring Caesar salad dressing, cream cheese, red pepper, black olives, and garlic.
• Asian Chicken Crunch Wraps: A quick and easy option that kids love, featuring Asian-inspired flavours.
• Turkey Guacamole Wraps: Combine smoked turkey and guacamole, with a dash of hot sauce.
• Club Roll-Ups: Meat, cheese, and olive-filled wraps that are perfect for parties.
• Beef 'n' Cheese Wraps: Delicious, portable, and ideal for picnics, these can be served whole or sliced into bite-sized pieces.
• Chicken Shawarma: Thin slices of chicken cooked on a vertical rotating spit, resulting in tender, juicy, and well-spiced meat.
• Gyro Sandwiches: Greek-inspired wraps with spiced lamb, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and tangy tzatziki sauce.
• Chicken Quesadilla: A Mexican classic, featuring a tortilla filled with cheese and your choice of other fillings, folded and cooked until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melted.
• Chicken Taco Tortilla Hack: A TikTok trend involving a folding technique that ensures every bite of the wrap is crispy, cheesy, and includes all the toppings.
• Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Ground chicken flavoured with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sriracha, and sesame oil, served in lettuce wraps.
• Buffalo Chicken Crunchwrap: A combination of Buffalo chicken wings and Crunchwrap Supreme, featuring seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.
• Chicken Parm Crunchwrap: A Crunchwrap with a chicken Parmesan filling.
• Vegan Crunchwrap: Filled with creamy vegan queso dip and meaty lentils, with a crispy exterior.
• Tex-Mex Chicken: Spicy chicken with black beans, coriander, and chipotle paste.
• Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps: A low-carb option featuring provolone cheese and steak, without the hoagie roll.
• Salmon Bean Wraps: A healthy, low-saturated-fat option with avocado, black beans, and smoked salmon.
• Thai Chicken Wraps: Flavourful chicken, fresh veggies, and a creamy peanut sauce.
• Cuban Pork Wraps: Juicy pork in tortillas, reminiscent of a Cuban sandwich with ham and cheese.
• Mexican Shredded Beef Wraps: Slow-cooked beef wraps that are perfect for parties.
• Tropical Beef Wrap: A tasty option for kids, featuring roast beef and tropical flavours.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. The beauty of tortillas is that they can be filled with just about anything, so feel free to experiment and create your own combinations!

Folding techniques

Standard Fold

• Place your filling in the middle of your tortilla.
• Fold the left and right edges in towards the middle, leaving a small gap between them.
• Bring the bottom third of the wrap towards the center, covering the filling.
• Continue rolling the wrap from the bottom until you reach the end.
• Spread a sauce or condiment along the top edge to hold your wrap closed.

Cylinder Roll

• Fold the bottom edge of the wrap towards the center, covering the filling.
• Roll the wrap evenly towards the top of the tortilla, keeping it tight to prevent the filling from falling out.
• Spread a condiment or sauce on the top edge of the wrap.
• Tuck in the sides of the wrap by folding them inwards a few times.
• Cut the wrap in half diagonally to serve.

Envelope Fold

• Fold the left and right sides into the middle of the wrap, overlapping them slightly.
• Hold the folded sides in place and bring the bottom of the wrap up towards the center.
• Continue folding the wrap over itself until you reach the top.
• Cut the wrap in half diagonally and serve.

TikTok Tortilla Hack

• Cut the tortilla from the center to one of the edges.
• Split your fillings between the four quarters of the tortilla, leaving a small gap between each.
• Fold the quarters over each other to form a triangle.
• Toast the tortilla in a pan if you want to warm the ingredients.

Burrito Fold

• Spread the filling across the tortilla, slightly below the center, leaving enough room at each end to prevent the filling from falling out.
• Fold the sides of the tortilla in towards the center, creating a pocket for the filling.
• Bring the bottom of the tortilla up, pushing the filling inside the pocket.
• Tightly roll the tortilla around itself until you reach the top edge.
• Cut the burrito in half or eat it uncut.

Soft Taco or Quesadilla Fold

• Spread the filling over half of the tortilla, stopping about half an inch from the rounded edge.
• For a quesadilla, sprinkle cheese on the top and bottom to act as glue.
• Fold the uncovered half over so that the edges overlap evenly.
• For a taco, serve immediately. For a quesadilla, bake in the oven until the cheese melts.
• Cut the quesadilla into wedges and serve.

Tri-Fold Wrap

• Lightly heat your tortilla and arrange the filling down the center, leaving space at each end.
• Fold one side of the wrap towards the middle, covering the filling.
• Bring the other edge of the tortilla over the folded side, wrapping it tightly and tucking it beneath the bottom.
• Serve the filled tortilla as-is.

Cone-Shaped Wrap

• Warm your tortilla and spread the filling near the edge, leaving a small gap all the way around.
• Cut the tortilla into four wedges.
• Fold each wedge into a cone by wrapping the tortilla around the filling from one rounded corner to the other.
• Secure with a toothpick if needed.

Storage and packing

Packing a wrap for later

To pack a tortilla wrap for later, secure each half with a toothpick and place it in an airtight container. You can also wrap the whole thing in parchment or wax paper and then place it in your lunchbox or fridge. Avoid using plastic wrap, as this can make the tortilla soggy. If you're worried about sogginess, avoid adding watery sauces or dressings inside your wrap. Instead, put them in small containers and use them as dipping sauces when you're ready to eat.

Storing tortillas

If you have a lot of tortillas and want to store them for later, you can freeze them. You can also bake flour tortillas in the oven at 180°C/355°F for about 10 minutes.

Flavour combinations

Tortillas are a fun and versatile food, perfect for sandwiches, wraps, roll-ups, and even desserts. The flavour combinations are endless, and they are a great way to use up leftovers. Here are some ideas for flavour combinations to try in your tortilla wraps:

Savoury Combinations:

• Mediterranean Wrap: Fresh basil pesto, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, shredded rotisserie chicken, spinach, and cheese.
• Indian Wrap: Spiced paneer or tofu with a tikka masala paste, or try a vegan chickpea wrap with raita.
• Italian Wrap: Deli meats such as ham and salami, with vinaigrette and other veggies.
• BLT Wrap: Bacon, lettuce, and tomato with creamy mayo.
• Chicken Caesar Wrap: Chicken, bacon, lettuce, and croutons with a Caesar dressing.
• Thai Peanut Wrap: Fresh veggies with a Thai peanut sauce. Add leftover chicken for a heartier wrap.
• Spicy Chicken Wrap: Spicy chicken, creamy ranch, fresh lettuce, and shredded carrots.
• Beef Wrap: Roast beef with horseradish, Colby jack cheese, and sour cream.
• Veggie Wrap: Fresh veggies with dill cream cheese.
• Tofu Wrap: Crispy tofu with fresh veggies and lemon juice.
• Shrimp Wrap: Cilantro-lime shrimp with cumin, garlic, and salt and pepper.
• Greek Wrap: Chicken, feta cheese, veggies, and Greek salad dressing.
• BBQ Jackfruit Wrap: Vegan and delicious, ready in just 30 minutes.
• Black Bean and Avocado Wrap: Sautéed onion, bell peppers, garlic, and taco seasoning with black beans, avocado, tomato, cilantro, and lime juice.
• Chicken and Hummus Wrap: Chicken, hummus, cucumber, and zucchini.
• Steak and Cheese Wrap: Lighten up a classic Philly cheesesteak by using a tortilla instead of a hoagie.

Sweet Combinations:

• Peanut Butter and Banana Wrap: A healthy snack for kids and adults.
• Fruit Salad Wrap: Sweet, fresh fruit with a cheesecake filling, cinnamon sugar, and melted butter.
• Chocolate Spread and Marshmallow Wrap: Chocolate spread, mini marshmallows, and strawberries.

Frequently asked questions