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Americans love their wide variety of foods, and everybody knows that. This is because the country is home to people of various races and nationalities, and it only fits that a wide range of foods and condiments spring up from that. Several Americans also organize cookouts for families and friends where they get to bond over super delicacies peculiar to their culture and history.
All of that shows how important food is in preserving and solidifying America’s diverse heritages which is why we have taken time to create this food guide. In this article, we will be exploring the substitutes for Masa Harina, a renowned condiment for Mexican foods. Besides discussing the substitutes for Masa Harina, we will also be teaching you how to make it in the simplest way possible. Below is a short dissertation on the famous “Masa Harina.”
Masa Harina
Masa Harina is a traditional flour that is widely used to make delicious Mexican dishes and has been adopted across America. The flour is gotten from a dough (Masa), which is made from a specially treated maize, and that explains why the Spanish word “Masa Harina” literally means “dough flour” in English.
In case the question “Is Masa Harina Gluten-Free?” is ringing in your mind right now, we assure you that Masa Harina is gluten-free, which makes it a safe condiment for corn tortillas and tamales. Masa Harina can be found in grocery stores all over the country, but we advise you to visit specialty stores to make the search easier. You can try out different brands for some time, and after a while, you’d be able to figure out the best one for you.
However, if you are looking to make masa Harina all by yourself, be assured that this is possible. The next outline will guide you in making a wholesome Masa Harina for yourself.
How To Turn Masa Into Masa Harina?
Just like we mentioned in the previous outline, “Masa” is a Mexican word that means “dough” in English, and this dough is gotten from corn. To make Masa, you have to specially and carefully treat the corn by placing it in lime water. This process helps to loosen the texture of the kernel, which eventually makes the Masa soft and elastic enough.
After soaking the corn, the next thing you have to do is to ground it properly. When you are done grinding, what you get is the Masa. You’ll then have to dry the Masa, and that’s exactly how to make Masa Harina.
The Best Replacements For Masa Harina
At some point, you might need substitutes for even the best condiments. Just as there is an increasing need for a Marjoram substitute, food enthusiasts are also on the lookout for the substitutes for Masa Harina. The truth is, Masa Harina is made in a very special way, and getting a satisfying replacement is almost impossible. Below is an outline of the possible substitutes for Masa Harina.
Masa Harina vs. Corn Flour
Corn Flour has been touted as a possible replacement for Masa Harina. Corn flour is more commonly referred to as cornstarch, and it is used in the majority of American kitchens from the suburbs down to the projects. It is more or less the easiest Masa Harina substitute you can find, and that’s because every single grocery store has a pack of cornflour.
Much like Masa Harina, Corn Flour is used for sauces, soups, and baking recipes and can serve as a thickening agent. Corn Flour has a softer texture, and the powder is finer than that of the Masa Harina. While it can serve as a substitute, Corn flour cannot give the distinctive flavor of the Masa Harina.
- One, 22 oz. Resealable stand up bag (1.375 lbs.)
- Great for tortillas and tamales
- Easy to follow Instructions
- Made from ground Hominy
- Bob's Red Mill: make folks a little happier. It's the idea that keeps our stone mills grinding to fill every bag with wholesome goodness.
Masa Harina vs. CornMeal
Cornmeal, just like Masa Harina, is also a flour made of corn. It has varying colors and textures, which are all dependent on the sort of corn it was gotten from. Cornmeal is also very easy to find because it is used in making a lot of popular dishes. You can get cornmeal in grocery stores or go directly to a baking products store.
Cornmeal is one of the best substitutes for Masa Harina. However, the absence of a limewater solution makes it impossible to get the exact Masa Harina flavor.
Our Verdict
Getting the exact substitute for Masa Harina is a near-impossible task, and that’s major because of the distinct process involved in making it. If you are looking to get that exact flavor, we advise that you get a pack of Masa Harina from any store around. You could also make it all by yourself, just as we have explained earlier in the article. It would be best if you only got a substitute when it is impossible to get the Masa Harina.
We are looking forward to your questions and comments, so if you have any, be sure to drop them below.
