The prices of all types of chips and snacks are continually going up, and the amounts in the packages are quickly going down. Manufacturers hope consumers will not notice, but savvy shoppers realize that prices are increasing while the overall value is taking a plunge. Tortilla chips are no exception, and good bagged restaurant tortilla chips are hard to find. However, it is not necessary to enjoy them in a Mexican restaurant or buy them from stores. Many people do not realize how easy homemade restaurant versions are to make. The following simple steps and additional ideas will allow you to enjoy your favorite restaurant tortilla chips at home in a matter of minutes.
Necessary Supplies for Homemade Restaurant Tortilla Chips
To make homemade restaurant tortilla chips you will need a package of fresh flour tortillas or prepared homemade flour tortillas, salt, and a deep fryer containing peanut, corn, vegetable, or canola oil. You will also need a sharp knife, a cutting board, lots of paper towels, a plate, and a slotted scoop or deep fryer basket.
Procedure
Begin by heating fresh cooking oil between 350 and 400 degrees in a clean deep fryer. While the oil is heating, cut the flour tortillas into eights for smaller restaurant tortilla chips or in fourths for larger ones. For something different, they can be cut into small circles using a cookie cutter.
Carefully drop the cut tortillas into the deep fryer. When the chips turn golden brown and float up to the top, they are ready to drain on paper towels. Add a sprinkling of salt, and allow the chips to cool for just a few minutes before serving. They will look and taste as good as your favorite restaurant chips.
Serve Homemade Chips with Authentic Fresh-Tasting Salsa
Restaurant tortilla chips are only as good as the salsa they are served with, and authentic salsa like the homemade variety served in my favorite Mexican restaurant is superb. Not all jar or canned salsa sold in grocery stores tastes authentic. Some are Americanized versions of homemade Mexican salsa, and they taste more like vinegar than cilantro and vine-ripened tomatoes.
I prefer Herdez brand salsa. I buy it at Walmart or wherever I happen to stumble upon it while grocery shopping. Other than the homemade salsa I prepare, I think Herdez brand tastes the closest to authentic restaurant varieties I have enjoyed with fresh restaurant tortilla chips.
Make Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Chips
For something easy and truly different that will satisfy any sweet tooth, try homemade cinnamon and sugar tortilla chips. Make the homemade variety as directed above, but instead of topping the chips with salt, coat them with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Although these are not typical restaurant chips, they are absolutely delicious. Drizzle on chocolate almond bark for a dessert that is truly decadent.
Also, if you decide to make round homemade tortilla chips, you will be left with lots of scraps. They do not have to go to waste. Deep fry the scraps and coat them with cinnamon and sugar. Kids absolutely love them, and they are a nice finish to a homemade Mexican meal.
