Gabriela Cámara's Must-Have Tool for Cooking Authentic Mexican Food at Home

This post was part of our Summer Cookbook Club series, featuring My Mexico City Kitchen: Recipes and Convictions by Gabriela Cámara.

It's impossible for me to pick a favorite Mexican dish, but tacos are pretty high up there. When they're on-point, they never fail to hit that savory, satisfying, so-good note that made me crave them in the first place. Whether it's Crispy Fish Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw or Chorizo and Egg Breakfast Tacos, tacos of all kinds are always a win.

"Everything can be a taco!" writes Gabriela Cámara, in My Mexico City Kitchen. "There are no rules about what constitutes this food ... other than that it be wrapped in a tortilla and eaten with your hands."

Ah, yes. Tortillas. The one constant among all tacos! So it's no surprise that when we asked Gabriela what kitchen tools she'd recommend to a home cook with a growing interest in Mexican food, she said a tortilla press!

What Kind of Tortilla Press to Get?

"If you can get a nice, heavy wooden one which helps you press the masa into even, flat tortillas, get that one," said Gabriela.

These handmade wooden tortilla presses from Central Coast Woodwork are a great option. They come in 8-inch, 10-inch, and 11.5-inch sizes. We love the mixed oak-and-walnut version, but it also comes in a lovely plain red oak.

Made in California by a family-owned company, these tortilla presses are very well crafted and beautiful enough to keep on your countertop!

How Do I Use a Tortilla Press?

Once you have your tortilla press, it's time to make homemade tortillas! You'll need masa harina and a comal (or a cast iron skillet).

Then follow this recipe: How To Make Corn Tortillas

Once You Have Tortillas, Make Some Tacos!

• Beef Tacos de Lengua
• Crispy Fish Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
• Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
• Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos
• Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos