Homemade Flour Tortillas

It's been so long since my last post because of school, family and just life in general. I hope that I'll be able to be a little more consistent this time around but, no promises :).....Well today I'm posting a recipe that is very special to me. It's special because I've always dreamt of making my own homemade tortillas. Some people dream about traveling or skydiving. Not me, I dream of homemade tortillas :) Anyone else out there understand where I'm coming from????

Anyhow, it takes a little practice and I'm sure that there are some expert "tortilleras" out there but I'm a beginner. Although I must say that after several attempts my family was very happy with the end result. That's what really matters after all. If my fantastic 5 gives me the thumbs up, I'm happy.

Well, this first picture is of my mom and her friend having a blast making tortillas. My mom is the one holding up the tortilla. Beautiful smile, right?? She was probably laughing at herself because she wasn't the best at tortilla making. She was however such a great partner in the kitchen. She was the one who would wash the dishes and big bowls that were in the way. She would slice, dice, peal, sauté....whatever needed to be done, she was the one you could always count on. If there was nothing for her to do she'd sit at the counter and tell stories about her apa (daddy), her ama (mom), her sister Eliboria or brothers, Tudy, Manuel and Fidel. Her stories were always funny and our laughter was one that filled the kitchen..... How I miss her. I think she would be proud of the tortillas I made for this post.

 

 

 

The best part about making homemade tortillas is that you probably have all the ingredients you need sitting in your pantry. Well, maybe not the Shortening, unless you live in South Texas like me. We can't seem to live without it down here. We call it "Manteca," and for some reason it makes everything taste so good!

 

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/3 cup shortening

1 cup hot water

 

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix flour, salt and baking powder.

 

Step 2: Add Shortening breaking it up with a fork or by hand, incorporate into the flour until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.

 

Step 3: Slowly begin to add hot water and start kneading the mixture

 

Step 4: Continue adding water and kneading until the dough holds together

*If the dough feels sticky, add a pinch or two of flour and continue to knead

 

 

 

Next, divide the large ball of dough into 10 small pieces.

Form them into discs, we call these "testales"

 

 

When all your discs are formed let them take a little 20 minute nap and cover them with a damp towel or plastic wrap. This part is very important. Do not skip.

 

 

Once your little guys are nice and rested take them out and prepare your work surface by spreading out a little flour. As you can see I overdid it a bit, but that's ok.

This is so that your dough doesn't stick to the board as you roll it out.

 

 

 

Next we roll!

From the center, roll away then towards you.

 

 

give your disc about half a turn and roll away from the center again and then towards yourself again.

Repeat until your dough is thin and is rolled out to about 10 inches.

 

This takes some practice. They won't be perfect. They'll probably come out like a rectangle or oval or something in between. It's ok. remember, practice makes perfect, and even if it doesn't, it's still ok :)

 

Place your tortilla on a hot comal (griddle).

 

 

Wait about 15 to 20 seconds and as you see air bubbles begin to rise flip it over.

 

 

Let it sit for 20 more seconds and place in a tortilla warmer.

 

 

Buen Provecho!!