How to make tortillas

Step 1. Mix the flour, salt and olive oil together in a bowl, add half the warm water and let sit for 10 minutes. Slowly add more water, little by little, kneading with your hands for about 5 minutes until a dough is formed. It should feel soft, slightly sticky and smooth. Cover with a damp cloth until you are ready to roll the tortillas
Photograph: Tara Fisher

Step 2. Roll a portion of the dough into a small ball, just bigger than a 50-pence piece. Place it on one half of the polythene bag and press the dough down to a flattish shape with your first two fingers. Cover with the second sheet of plastic (this stops the dough sticking) and roll out the dough or press in the tortilla press to a 1 to 2mm thickness. Too thick will not be great to eat, but if you roll the tortillas too thin, they are hard to handle. You should get a tortilla about 10cm in diameter
Photograph: Tara Fisher

Step 3. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan or flat griddle. Peel the tortilla from the polythene and carefully place in the dry pan. Cook until the tortilla changes colour and slightly puffs up. I like mine a little charred too. When it has taken a bit of colour on one side, turn it over and cook on the other side
Photograph: Tara Fisher

Step 4. Keep the cooked tortillas warm by wrapping them in a tea towel, napkin or foil and keeping them in a low oven as you cook the rest. There is nothing worse than a cold tortilla!

• The next step: How to fold burritos
Photograph: Tara Fisher