The Budget Chef
KW Publishing
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West Richland, Wa. 99353
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Start Rolling in Dough - Flour Tortillas Recipe
By Tracy Falbe
Sometimes you do not realize how chintzy a product is from the grocery store until you eat a homemade version. Flour tortillas are an excellent example. Although commercially prepared tortillas are good, they lack the thickness and freshness of the homemade variety. Be warned before you try this flour tortillas recipe. You may never go back to the convenience of tortillas from a package.
Ingredients for flour tortillas:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable shortening or lard
3/4 cup hot water (115 to 130 degrees F)
With an electric mixer or simply your hand mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Make sure to distribute the shortening throughout the dough. A sticky mass of dough will quickly form. Once all ingredients are blended, turn the tortilla dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it has a smooth consistency and is no longer sticky.
Now divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll them in your hands to form balls. Leave the balls on the floured surface and cover with a clean cloth and let them rest for 20 minutes.
After the dough balls have rested, heat a large skillet to medium high heat. With a rolling pin roll each ball into a thin tortilla about 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Now, one at a time, place each tortilla in the heated skillet. Cook on each side until brown spots appear. Each side of the tortilla will take about 30 seconds to 1 minute to cook. Stack them up as you cook them so they will stay warm. Place the tortillas in a covered container if you need them to keep warm for a while. These tortillas are best served warm, but you can save leftover ones in a sealed container or bag and use within 1 or 2 days.
If you are preparing a meal for many people, feel free to double this recipe.
To read more about how to make quick breads, dip your toes into the Recipe River and visit the bread recipes section. http://recipes.falbepublishing.com/bread_recipes.html
