Thursday, July 21, 2011

Tortilla Meister!

Flour tortillas, that is!

Before I go into my tortilla exploits...


I want to mention that Deborah Jean over at the Dandelion House who has been hosting the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop, has run into some domain-name issues.  Go here to find her at her new address which is now a blogger address!  So, change your link to her!

Okay, now, down to flour!

I figure, if you live in the southwest and don't know how to make flour tortillas from scratch, well that's just not right!  So I've been perfecting my technique and at long last, I've done it!

I'll share my recipe with you, since homemade flour tortillas are far superior to store-bought.  No surprise there!

4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder (aluminum free of course!)
2-3 Tablespoons shortening
1 1/3 Cup very hot water (not boiling)

Mix flour, salt, and baking powder together (I love to put it all in a plastic margarine tub, put the lid on and shake it all together rather than stirring with a spoon or whatever else!).

Add the shortening (I prefer to do 3 tablespoons with a smidgen more, but no more or else it'll get too doughy) and just mix it in with your fingers till you don't feel any pieces left.

Add water, mix and knead well.  Don't worry if it initially sticks to your fingers, just work it and before you know it it will feel silky, in about 4 to 5 minutes.

Cover and let set for 10 minutes; then knead again and form balls.  This recipe will make 16 tortillas measuring somewhere around 10 inches in diameter.

Remember to keep them covered to avoid drying out.

Take a ball, flour your surface...

...flatten out between your hands...

...and roll out till really thin, but not too thin you can't pick it up...

...and transfer to a plate, keeping them covered.

Preheat a flat grill until really nice and hot.  Don't use any grease.
Then cook each tortilla for almost one minute on the first side...

...then flip it over and cook another 30 seconds to one minute...

When it starts to puff up like this, then it's done...

...transfer to a plate and keep loosely covered.

And behold, a homemade soft taco!

Or a burrito with these larger tortillas!

You know you've succeeded when the tortillas don't break or peel!
It's well worth the practice if you're not a born tortilla meister!

Now if I could just get a good recipe for corn tortillas, I'll be set!

I'm linking to the inimitable Deborah Jean's Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop #17

 
Go get some Farmgirl soul food!

I'm also linking up with the Homestead Revival: Barn Hop #21.


Take a look and find more inspiration than you know what to do with!
I guarantee it!

9 comments:

  1. First let me say a BIG thank you for steering folks to my new blog address! :) I learned to make homemade tortea's years ago in another chapter of my life and they are delish! Thanks for the reminder and the recipe. I just might have to bring them back to my kitchen!
    Deb

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  2. You are heartily welcome! My pleasure.

    Hope you enjoy the reintroduction to flour tortillas! They really are great aren't they?

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  3. This looks delicious! I'll have to try this.

    Teresa

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  4. I admire you for doing this! :) We have flour tortillas from Tucson and Agua Prieta, Mexico available in the grocery stores so I only make my own once in a blue moon! Jerry always wants me to make them with lard though! LOL!!

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  5. Looks so yummy! We do make them from scratch sometimes, but I have to admit I buy them alot from the store:( I aslo wanted to say your garden photos look great! My garden is totally in weeds and grass again! I don't know where all those seeds are coming from. Even with tilling (when it is dry enough to do so) they have taken over. Oh well, I'll just harvest amongst the weeds. God Bless

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  6. Hi! Just discovered you through the "Dandelion House" blog. Thanks for the recipe - I'm getting ready to copy it down. Having just been diagnosed with diabetes three months ago and told to eat whole-grain "things" instead of white flour, I think I will try these with the whole-wheat flour. Have you made them that way?

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  7. Hi and welcome Sandy! Great to have you along! I haven't made them before with whole wheat, but that wouldn't stop me from trying it anyway. In fact, I was considering giving it a try just for the better health benefits. Let me know how yours turn out and I'll try it too. We can compare notes!

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  8. Hi Happy Momma! I sure hear you concerning those weeds. The grass will take over if I let it. Sometimes I wonder who is winning!

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  9. I'm definitely giving these a whirl! I can never seem to master tortillas...

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